Euro 2024 qualifiers… Italy is a point away from qualifying, and England is strengthening its lead

Italy is one point away from reaching the 2024 European Football Cup finals scheduled in Germany, by defeating North Macedonia 5-2 on Friday in Rome in the seventh and penultimate round of the third group competitions.

Matteo Darmian (17), Federico Chiesa (41, 45 + 3), Giacomo Raspadori (81), and Stephan El Shaarawy (90 + 3) scored the goals for Italy, for which midfielder Jorginho missed a penalty kick in the 40th minute, and Jianni Atanasov (52, 74) scored the goals of North Macedonia.

Darmian gives the Italian team the lead#European_Nations_Qualifiers #Euro2024Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/IS2V03oHfC

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 17, 2023

Chiesa doubles the score for Italy with a powerful shot#European_Nations_Qualifiers#Euro2024Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/jXoPz1dJWR

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 17, 2023

Italy raised its score to 13 points and regained second place by the direct confrontation with Ukraine, which it will meet in a decisive match next Tuesday, at the Bay Arena in the German city of Leverkusen.

Italy needs only a draw to reach Euro 2024 and thus defend its title in Germany from June 14 to July 14, 2024, due to its home victory over Ukraine 2-1 on September 12.

Bad luck follows Jorginho 😲#European_Nations_Qualifiers #Euro2024Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/tIrWM1v8cO

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 17, 2023

Italy won the title in the last edition by defeating England in its home stadium on penalties in 2021.

North Macedonia has been a problem for Italy in recent years, as this obscure country on the European football map has prevented it from reaching the finals of the World Cup in Russia in 2018.

The matter was repeated when the Azzurri lost the semi-final of the European play-off to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to North Macedonia with a late goal from Aleksandar Trajkovski in the 92nd minute.

England strengthens its lead

England, which secured the first place in the group, increased its lead with 19 points after defeating Malta 2-0.

The Three Lions needed a friendly fire goal scored by Enrico Pepe through an own goal in the eighth minute to open the scoring, before their all-time top scorer, Harry Kane, added the second (75).

Pepe gives the England team an own goal#European_Nations_Qualifiers #Euro2024Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/WO3zoiWMvu

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 17, 2023

The referee canceled a goal by Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice after appealing to the video assistant referee in the 78th minute.

Coach Gareth Songate started the match with a strong squad, especially in the attacking line, led by Kane, who shines in the German ranks of Bayern Munich, and the wingers Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden.

On the other hand, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, who was chosen as the most promising player of the year by winning the Ballon d’Or award by the French magazine France Football, was absent due to injury.