Denmark Escapes Disgrace in European Championship Qualifying

Oct 17, 2023 at 10:46 PM Update: 5 minutes ago

Denmark escaped disgrace in the European Championship qualifying on Tuesday when it visited San Marino, the lowest positioned country in the FIFA rankings. Only in the final phase did Denmark make the difference through substitute Yussuf Poulsen: 1-2.

Denmark made it 0-1 before half time thanks to a striking shot from Rasmus Højlund, but most attention went to Alessandro Golinucci’s goal. After more than an hour, the San Marinees shot in a deflected corner and was then buried by teammates.

It marked San Marino’s first goal in almost a year. The number 207 in the world was able to cheer for the last time in November last year, in an exhibition match with tiny Saint Lucia (1-1). Since then, every match has been lost without a chance.

Golinucci’s rare goal gave San Marino, which lost 11-0 to the Dutch team twelve years ago, hope for the second point ever in European Championship qualification. In 2014, Estonia was held to a goalless draw.

That dream was shattered by Poulsen. The attacker struck in the seventieth minute and with his goal prevented a historic disgrace for Denmark, which started with former Ajax players Mohamed Daramy and Christian Eriksen.

The hard-fought victory keeps Denmark on course in group H for a ticket for next year’s European Championships in Germany. The semi-finalist of the last European Championship is second, behind Slovenia. That country won 0-1 against Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

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Joy in the dwarf state of San Marino after goals against Denmark

OMGOMGOMGOGMFMFOFNSIAODMELSURBWOLANDKDKCMRKDKDNDSNOSPWELEM

— San Marino fan account (@SanMarino_FA) October 17, 2023

Lithuania postpones Hungarian party, leading role for Tadic

In group G, Hungary squandered the first chance to secure the European Championship ticket. A win was needed when they visited Lithuania, but after a dramatic start a 2-2 draw was the maximum for the Hungarians.

Halfway through, Lithuania surprisingly led 2-0 thanks to goals from Fedor Cernych and Pijus Sirvys. A third goal was disallowed due to offside, after which Dominik Szoboszlai took charge of the Hungarians. The Liverpool midfielder made it 2-1 and was responsible for Barnabas Varga’s 2-2.

Despite the loss of points, Hungary remains the leader in Group G. Chase Serbia did important things by beating competitor and neighboring country Montenegro 3-1. Dusan Tadic was worth his weight in gold with an assist (for Aleksandar Mitrovic’s 2-1) and a goal (the 3-1).

2023-10-17 20:46:26
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