Italy’s nerve-wracking draw against Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine meant they qualified for Euro 2024. On Monday, Italy made amends by securing a spot in the European Championship for the following year, along with Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
Jaroslav Silhavy, the Czech coach, quit soon after the Moldova match was over. Italy managed a 0-0 draw in Germany against Ukraine, needing just a point to secure second place in Group C and escape the dreaded playoffs.
For the Azzurri, though, there were moments of anxiety. Italy lost their playoff series to North Macedonia and Sweden, and as a result, was unable to qualify for the last two World Cups. The Azzurri went on to win the next European Championship after missing out on the 2018 World Cup.
“We are overjoyed. After all the challenges we faced, we are where we deserve to be,” Italy’s captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma remarked. “But we’re back, thanks to the staff and the new coach.
“Now it’s right that we go there and we go there to bring back something, even to win it because we are going there as winners.”
With a victory, Ukraine would have slipped past Italy and advanced to the playoffs. England finished the tournament undefeated after a 1-1 draw at North Macedonia, where they were already guaranteed first place in the group.
Slovenia and the Czech Republic, who defeated Kazakhstan and Moldova, respectively, to dash their rivals’ hopes of earning automatic passage to their first major international competition, would have also qualified for Euro 2024 with a point.
Kazakhstan can still qualify for the playoffs. Its semifinal matchup is against Greece on March 21. If it advances, it will play either Georgia or Luxembourg five days later.
Each of the ten groups’ top two finishers advances. Three more slots will be decided in a playoff based on Nations League results. Germany, the host, is automatically qualified.
Final Drama
The decision by Bryan Cristante not to grant a penalty during stoppage time for what appeared to be a trip on Mykhailo Mudryk infuriated Ukraine.
In the first half, Italy squandered great opportunities through Federico Chiesa, Giovanni di Lorenzo, and Davide Frattesi. Donnarumma then deflected a shot by Mudryk to prevent Ukraine from taking the lead. Mudryk got the opportunity because of his own miscalculation on a long throw.
It was the first time in over 13 years that Italy had failed to score in a qualifying match for the European Championship.
Due to security concerns during Russia’s military invasion, Ukraine was unable to play international matches at home, so the match was played at the stadium of Bundesliga leader Bayer Leverkusen. Russia was prohibited from competing in the Euro 2024.
In a friendly on Monday, Russia defeated Cuba 8-0, with eight different players scoring goals. Its record 9-0 victory over San Marino in qualifying for Euro 2020 was just one goal away from being achieved.
Coach Retiers
Shortly after leading his team to a 3-0 victory over Moldova with 10 men, Å ilhav½ announced his resignation. After leading the team for five years, Å ilhav½, now sixty-two, stated that the choice was already determined before to the game.
Albania wasn’t satisfied with just making it to its second major tournament; it made sure of that by winning Group E following a 0-0 tie with the Faeroe Islands.
Albania had a better head-to-head record, which allowed them to finish ahead of the Czech Republic.
Before the game in Tirana, there were fireworks, and spectators raised a huge banner that said, “God is Albanian.”
Fourteenth century
It will be Slovenia’s first time participating in the European Championship in almost 25 years.
Slovenia defeated Kazakhstan 2-1 and advanced to the competition for the first time since Euro 2000 thanks to a late goal from Benjamin Verbic.
Denmark, who was already assured of winning Group H, fell to Northern Ireland 2-0 on the road.
Finland, in third position, defeated San Marino 2-1 thanks to two goals from Pyry Soiri.
