From left, Slovak players László Bénes, Martin Valjent, Stanislav Lobotka, Vernon De Marco, Dávid Ďuriš and Patrik Hrošovský after the 0:1 loss to Portugal Source: TASR/Martin Baumann
BRATISLAVA – Only last year’s vice-champions of the world and European champions from 2016 have a hundred percent record and no conceded goals in football qualification for the European Championship 2024.
France and Portugal are at the top of their groups, and especially in the case of the team around Cristiano Ronaldo, we can talk about dominance and a great chance to seal participation in next year’s European Championship in Germany.
Portugal extended its winning streak first with Friday’s triumph at Tehelno polí, where it defeated Slovakia 1:0 in the J-group match. This was followed by a record 9-0 home victory over Luxembourg. Although they conceded up to 15 goals in two matches from the Portuguese, they will probably fight for the second promotion place with the Slovaks.
Photo gallery (5) Source: SITA/Milan Illík
The star Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from the winning team due to a card penalty – he received his third yellow card at Tehelno polí when he accidentally hit goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka in the head. After the record-breaking triumph, fans questioned the star gunner’s form and his importance for the national team.
Our team is ready to win even without Ronaldo
Goncalo Inacio, Goncalo Ramos and Diogo Jota, who also added an assist, scored two goals for the Portuguese. “Goncalo Ramos showed what he can do today and so did Diogo Jota. We need players who have the level to win games. I don’t need to compare them. Cristiano is important, but our team is ready to win without him.” said Roberto Martínez, coach of the 24-0 team after the meeting with Luxembourg.
When asked directly about a better performance without Ronaldo, he added: “We wouldn’t play better without him. Cristiano is a very important element of this team, he has experience and his own style.”
France is somewhat less dominant in its B-group. After five games, the score is 11:0, fifteen points and six points ahead of the second-placed Netherlands. However, it has one duel to its credit. The finalists of the December World Cup in Qatar encountered only Ireland in September, which they defeated 2:0.
“I can’t complain, my players are doing what they have to. Although they could have shown a bit more tonight. But I won’t be overly demanding, they played against a very aggressive opponent. It’s not easy to find a solution, we were much more dangerous than in the first match and that’s very all right,” said the coach of the French team Didier Deschamps after the meeting.
Photo gallery (5) Coach Didier Deschamps with French footballers Source: TASR/AP/Michel Euler
Another team that has not lost a point so far is Scotland. The impression is marred by only one conceded goal in the A-group match in Norway in June (1:2). The Scots also completed only one duel in September – they triumphed 3:0 on the turf of Cyprus.
“We played well and took another step on our way to qualification. It was a good performance, the first half brought goals, in the second we controlled the game, we can be satisfied” said Scots coach Steve Clarke. His team is fighting for the fourth ever participation in the continental championship, in 2021 Scotland fought for it after 24 years.
Group C brought interesting events, where the English lost their first points in the fifth game after a 1:1 draw with Ukraine. However, they still lead the group by six points.
I will not evaluate the players so strictly
“Our offensive game didn’t work very well. The surface also did its part, we needed more strength to make quick passes and the pitch was a bit bumpy. So I realized that I wouldn’t evaluate the players so harshly.” said host skipper Gareth Southgate to the meeting in the Polish city of Wroclaw, according to the BBC.
Photo gallery (5) English coach Gareth Southgate Source: SITA/AP/Abbie Parr
On Saturday, the Ukrainians became the first team in the group to rob the reigning vice-champions of Europe of points, but they could not keep the second place in the table. They lost to Italy 1:2 and this triumph was the first for Luciano Spalletti, the new coach of the European champions from the previous championship.
“I’ve settled in well here. It’s great to be here, I feel like I’m in heaven. We have problems. Everyone has them, but we also have responsibilities to fulfill. We have to know how to behave in such a situation,” said the Italian skipper, who could not count on several reinforcements in the match due to injuries.
Davide Frattesi scored both goals within half an hour, and the team made up for the 1:1 draw in North Macedonia. This opponent also eliminated the Italians in the play-off for participation in the 2022 World Cup.
Author: © List Source: TASR
2023-09-14 03:50:56
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