Albania Qualifies for European Football Championship: Surprising Victory!

The surprise is perfect!

Albania has qualified for the European Football Championship for the second time since 2016. For the team coached by Brazil’s former international Sylvinho, a 1-1 draw in Moldova is enough to book their ticket to the European Championships in Germany next year.

For Albania, Sokol Cikalleshi (25th) takes the lead with a penalty, Vladyslav Baboglo (87th) scores to make the final score 1-1 – the Albanians’ celebration knows no bounds!

In qualifying group E, in which Poland and the Czech Republic also play, Albania can no longer be pushed out of one of the top two places before the last match day.

► Also in action: Robert Lewandowski (35), defending champion Italy and England around Bayern star Harry Kane (30).

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Poland – Czech Republic 1:1

Lewandowski (l.) in a duel with Czech Republic midfielder Doudera

Photo: JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP

Poland only plays 1-1 against the Czech Republic and misses direct qualification for the European Championship! It was the last group game for Poland, and they can’t do better than third place. Last hope: the detour via the play-offs!

However: Poland will only qualify for the play-offs if Holland manages direct qualification. If not, the Dutch will snatch the play-off place from the Poles! The Elftal will finally play against Ireland and Gibraltar. The background is the teams’ performance in the Nations League.

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About the game in the Warsaw National Stadium: Poland with a lot of effort, but no ideas. Not much happens for a long time – until redemption in minute 38!

A coincidence brings the lead: Zalewski with the cross, defender Holes slides in, shoots at his own keeper – and Piotrowski sinks the second ball to make it 1-0! His first goal for Poland in the second international match.

49th minute: Czech Republic equalizes! Cross from Coufal, Brabec heads past a defender – and Soucek stays ice cold from five meters and pushes in to make it 1-1.

Then the Poles run in vain. The big tremors now begin for them…

Caught a needed day on Friday: Poland striker Robert Lewandowski

Foto: Getty Images

Italy – North Macedonia 5:2

Despite the 5-2 win against North Macedonia, Luciano Spalletti’s (64) team still has to worry about taking part in the European Championship!

Thanks to the threesome, Squadra Azzurra is level on points with Ukraine (no game). Now it’s the endgame…

One thing is clear: the Italians have a better starting position. A draw is enough for the reigning European champions because of the 2-1 first leg win. The game takes place on Monday at 8:45 p.m. If the Italians lose against Ukraine, they will have to take the rocky path of the play-offs (they came first in their Nations League group and would certainly be in a final tournament).

The course of the game: 1:0 Darmian (17th), 2:0 Chiesa (41st), 3:0 Chiesa (45th + 2), 3:1 Atanasov (52nd), 3:2 Atanasov (74th), 4:2 Raspadori (81st), 5:2 El Shaarawy (90th + 3).

Scores twice against North Macedonia: Italy winger Federico Chiesa (Juventus)

Photo: Andrew Medichini/dpa

England – Malta 2:0

That wasn’t convincing at all!

England led by Bayern star Harry Kane (already 17 league goals) wins 2-0 against football dwarf Malta.

For most of the game, Kane is completely logged out. The captain of the English national team didn’t get a single shot on goal until the 74th minute and had a scary 19 touches of the ball. This performance is not reminiscent of the last appearances at Bayern…

But then suddenly he’s in the right place again!

Kane (M.) celebrates his 62nd international goal (88 games) with his teammates

Foto: The FA via Getty Images

▶ 75th minute: England combines nicely through the midfield. Via Alexander-Arnold, Walker, Foden and Saka the ball lands at Kane, who just has to push in – 2-0. The home team’s first good move.

The opening goal comes in the 8th minute – through an own goal!

With the victory, coach Gareth Southgate’s (53) team has qualified for the European Championships in Germany next year. Malta, on the other hand, is last in Group C (zero points).

The other results from Friday at a glance:

Finland – Northern Ireland 4-0

Denmark – Slovenia 2:1

Kasachstan – San Marino 3:1

2023-11-17 22:28:06
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