Euro 2024 Qualifying: England and France Cruise to Victories, Wales Suffers Setback
England and France both secured comfortable victories over their opponents in the Euro 2024 qualifying matches held on Friday. However, Wales suffered a setback in their hopes of reaching next year’s finals in Germany after being defeated 4-2 by Armenia. Here’s a closer look at the matches and their outcomes.
England vs. Malta
Gareth Southgate’s England team scored twice from the penalty spot to secure a 4-0 win away to Malta, who are ranked 172nd in the world. The victory kept England’s perfect record in Group C intact. Malta defender Ferdinando Apap turned Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own net to give England an early lead, and Trent Alexander-Arnold made it 2-0 with a superb strike. Harry Kane added a third goal with a penalty, and Callum Wilson completed the scoring late on from another spot-kick awarded for a handball following a VAR check.
Italy vs. North Macedonia
While Italy is currently involved in the Nations League finals, Ukraine got their first points with a stunning comeback to win 3-2 in North Macedonia. An Enis Bardhi penalty and a brilliant curling strike from Napoli’s Eljif Elmas had North Macedonia, who qualified for Euro 2020, two goals up. Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi pulled one back for Ukraine just after the hour mark, and they then equalized through Yukhym Konoplia. North Macedonia, who visit England on Monday, were reduced to 10 men before Viktor Tsygankov headed in a cross from Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk with seven minutes left to complete the comeback.
France vs. Gibraltar
Kylian Mbappe captained France and scored in their 3-0 win over Group B outsiders Gibraltar in Faro, Portugal. Olivier Giroud’s early header put France ahead, and Mbappe added a penalty awarded for handball in first-half stoppage time. France got their third late on when Aymen Mouelhi scored an own goal, turning in Mbappe’s low cross.
Greece vs. Republic of Ireland
Greece beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1 in Athens, leaving them three points clear of the World Cup runners-up France, who are top of Group B with a maximum nine points from three games. Captain Tasos Bakasetas gave the hosts the lead from a penalty before Nathan Collins equalized, but Giorgos Masouras got the winner for Greece, who visit France on Monday. Ireland ended the game with 10 men after Matt Doherty’s late sending-off.
Wales vs. Armenia
Wales have qualified for the last two European Championships and reached the knockout stages both times, but their chances of making Euro 2024 are in the balance after going down to Armenia in Cardiff. Daniel James put Wales ahead, but Argentina-born Lucas Zelarayan and German-born youngster Grant-Leon Ranos both scored twice for Armenia. Harry Wilson pulled another one back for Wales, but they had Kieffer Moore sent off toward the end and are currently third in Group D, two points behind leaders Turkiye, who won 3-2 in Latvia.
Other Matches
Denmark edged out Northern Ireland 1-0 in Copenhagen to sit at the top of four teams all on six points in Group H. Jonas Wind of Wolfsburg scored the winner, although Callum Marshall was denied an injury-time equalizer for Northern Ireland after a lengthy VAR check discovered an offside. Kazakhstan and Finland also moved onto six points after beating San Marino (3-0) and Slovenia (2-0) respectively. Switzerland won 2-1 in Andorra to make it three victories out of three in Group I. They are two points above Romania, who drew 0-0 in Kosovo, while Israel scored two late goals to beat Belarus 2-1 in Budapest.
Conclusion
England and France both secured victories over their opponents in the Euro 2024 qualifying matches held on Friday. While Wales suffered a setback in their hopes of reaching next year’s finals in Germany after being defeated 4-2 by Armenia. The other matches saw Denmark, Kazakhstan, Finland, and Switzerland secure victories, while Greece beat the Republic of Ireland and Israel beat Belarus.