Kovacic pulled out all the stops against Turkey. AI / Reuters / Panoramic / MURAD SEZER / Action Images via Reuters / LEE SMITH
Croatia is reassured, Comminai still scorer, Spain does not score … Discover the tops and flops after the end of the 2nd day, Tuesday.
TOPS
Croatia take first place
The Croats won this Tuesday evening against Turkey (0-2), on the second day of qualifying for Euro 2024. After a sluggish start to the match during which the Turks had a goal disallowed, the men of Luka Modric scored a first goal against the run of play thanks to Kovacic. The latter will even double the bet at the end of the first period. The Croats, held in check against Wales (1-1) a few days earlier, reacted and shared first place in the Group D standings with Wales, winner of Latvia (1-0) in the same time.
McTominay, serial killer
Decidedly, the Manchester United midfielder does not need one or more entire matches to score. McTominay came on at the end of the game against Cyprus on March 25. And he had scored two goals in six minutes in the last moments of the game (87th, 90 + 3), allowing his team to win 3-0. Against Spain, he was again a scorer. First in the 7th minute after a back pass from Robertson then on a new tumble from the latter. The Liverpool full-back crosses and sees his ball pushed away before McTominay emerges again to score his second double in the second game. What efficiency!
Too easy for Romania and Switzerland
Switzerland played on March 25 against Belarus (0-5). This Tuesday evening, Granit Khaka’s teammates faced Israel for a new unbalanced duel on paper. And they did not shake (3-0). After a late first goal from Vargas (39th), Murat Yakin’s men then accelerated. Thanks first to Amdouni (47th) then Widmer (52nd). Romania also won against Belarus (2-1). The Romanians scored two goals in two minutes through Stanciu (17th) and Burca (19th).
FLOPS
Spain lacking in success
Coach Luis de la Fuente had made questionable choices before the game. Morata was left on the bench, just like Carvajal, Gavi or even Laporte, Fati, Koke or Ferran Torres not having been selected. But La Roja could rely on their center forward Joselu, brilliant a few days ago. However this Tuesday evening, the Spaniards did not find the solution. After 20 minutes without having struck once on goal, Joselu had two chances (20th, 23rd). Rodri then Porro each had two hot stocks to negotiate without finding the fault. In the second period, Aspas hit just above (61st) before the team died out little by little…
Norway stalls
Earlier in the day, Norway – deprived of Erling Haaland – was held in check in Georgia (1-1). However, Martin Odegaard’s teammates opened the scoring in the 15th minute thanks to Sorloth. But the Norwegians were caught on the hour mark thanks to a goal from Georges Mikautadze. And therefore remain in 3rd place in the ranking behind Spain and Scotland. Note that during the first day, Solbakken’s men had lost heavily in Spain (3-0) a few days earlier.
