elgium became the first country
to qualify for next summer’s Euro
2020 finals, sealing their place
by beating San Marino 9-0 and
spreading the goals around eight
different scorers.
Three days later Belgium extended their 100 per
cent record in the group with a 2-0 win in Kazakhstan,
while second-placed Russia confirmed their finals’
place with a comfortable 5-0 victory in Cyprus.
Italy were the next team to qualify, putting the
painful memories of their failure to reach the 2018
World Cup behind them with a 2-0 triumph over a
limited Greece side in Rome.
Ukraine confirmed qualification and also their
supremacy over Portugal in Group B with a 2-1
victory in Kiev.
Poland qualified as winners of Group G with a 2-0
win over North Macedonia in Warsaw, three days after
a 3-0 victory in Latvia, where Robert Lewandowski
scored all three Polish goals.
Spain’s qualification from Group F was delayed
following a 1-1 draw with Norway in Oslo. Saul Niguez
had put Spain in front before Joshua King equalised
from the penalty spot in injury time.
Three days later it was Spain’s turn for a late goal
when Rodrigo’s strike in Sweden cancelled out
Marcus Berg’s header to give the Spanish the point
needed to secure qualification.
In Group C, Holland recovered from going a goal
down to Northern Ireland to win 3-1 in Amsterdam
and go back to the top of the group.
Republic of Ireland suffered a major setback when
they lost 2-0 to Switzerland in Geneva, three days
after a goalless draw in Georgia.
Croatia took a major step towards qualification with
a 3-0 win over Hungary in Split, followed by a 1-1
draw with Wales.
Olivier Giroud looked to have given France victory
over Turkey in Paris, and second place in the group,
but fellow sub Kaan Ayhan headed a late equalizer to
put French celebrations on hold.
In Group J, Finland suffered a setback when losing
4-1 to Bosnia, but bounced back with a 3-0 victory
over Armenia in Helsinki.
England missed out on securing their place afterlosing 2-1 in the Czech Republic – their fi rst defeat
in either a World Cup or Euro qualifi er for almost
10 years. They got back on track with their next
game, winning 6-0 in Bulgaria in a game marred
by racism from home fans.PERMUTATIONS
Group A: England need a win over Montenegro
or Kosovo to top the group. For second place the
decisive game is between Czech Rep and Kosovo
in Prague on November 14. Even if Kosovo win in
Prague, the Czechs have the easier last game, away
to Bulgaria, while Kosovo host England. If Kosovo take
the second automatic qualifying spot, Czech Republic
would replace Slovakia in the Path B play-offs.
Group B: Portugal, with games against Lithuania
and Luxembourg, are favourites to take the second
qualifying spot, ahead of Serbia, whose final game
is against Ukraine. If they fail to overhaul Portugal,
Serbia will be confirmed in Path C of the play-offs.
Group C: Third-placed Northern Ireland face crucial
final games at home to Holland in Belfast and away
to Germany in Frankfurt. If they were to overhaul the
top two, the third-placed team (Holland or Germany)
would drop into the Path A play-offs. If Northern
Ireland finish third, they will be confirmed in Path B
of the play-offs. Belarus, after topping their NationsBarcelona and Real Madrid
at Camp Nou on October 26
is postponed due to civil unrest
in Catalonia. La Liga had initially
requested the game be switched to
Real’s Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Saturday October 19
ENGLAND: The FA Cup fourth
qualifying round tie between
Haringey Borough and Yeovil
Town is abandoned after Haringey
manager Tom Loizou takes his team
off the pitch amid reports of racist
abuse from away supporters.
FINLAND: KuPS are crowned
league champions for the first time
in 43 years as they win 2-0 at
second-place Inter Turku on the
final day of the season.
GERMANY: A train carrying
Freiburg fans home from their 1-0
loss away to Union Berlin catches
fire and three people suffer from
smoke inhalation. In a bid to help
out, Union Berlin offer away
supporters lodging in the VIP
section of their Stadion An der
Alten Forsterei.
SPAIN: Real Madrid lose in La Liga
for the first time this season, going
down 1-0 at Mallorca.
Sunday October 20
ENGLAND: Liverpool’s 100 per
cent start to the Premier League
ends with a 1-1 draw at Manchester
United which sees them fail to
equal Manchester City’s top-flight
record of 18 successive wins.
ITALY: Internazionale’s 4-3 win at
Sassuolo is briefly suspended when
a parachutist lands on the pitch as
Romelu Lukaku is about to take a
penalty for the visitors.
Monday October 21
USA: Sacramento Republic, who
play in the USL, will join MLS in
2022 and become the top flight’s
29th franchise.
Tuesday October 22
BRAZIL: Sixteen Flamengo fans
are arrested before the team’s Copa
Libertadores semi-final second leg
on Wednesday against Gremio.
Those targeted are accused of
planning to invade Maracana
Stadium and of “threats to kill
police, rob and cause damage”.
NORTH KOREA: Next month’s AFC
Cup Final between North Korean
army team April 25 and Lebanon’s
Al Ahed is moved from Pyongyang
to a neutral ground in Shanghai.
North Korea loses its hosting rights
after the recent media blackout
of the national team’s World Cup
qualifier against South Korea.
Belgium
lead way
to finals
Six sides secure automatic
qualification for next year
Settled...Belgium’s Eden Hazard
(no10) gets on the scoresheet
against San MarinoB
Euro 2020
GAVIN HAMILTON