LEAGUE A
Holland, Switzerland, Portugal, England qualify for next summer’s finals
Germany, Iceland, Poland, Croatia relegated
Attention was held until the final minutes in many key matches, with dramatic comebacks by Switzerland, Holland and England providing excitement until the last moments of the campaign.
The three-team format in Leagues A and B certainly contributed to the drama, but even in Leagues C and D there were many notable storylines, including the emergence of UEFA’s newest member, Kosovo.
The promoted teams from all 16 groups will now compete in play-offs, which will add a new – if somewhat confusing – element to the qualifying campaign for Euro 2020 which kicks off in March.
Holland confirmed their revival under Ronald Koeman by winning Group 1, ahead of world champions France and 2014 World Cup winners Germany.
France’s 2-0 reverse in Rotterdam ended their 15-game unbeaten run and took the group to the final game. Didier Deschamps’ side were missing injured midfielder Paul Pogba and it was his replacement, Steven Nzonzi, who was at fault for Holland’s opening goal, when his poor clearance was punished by Georginio Wijnaldum. Memphis Depay added a penalty in injury time.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2018-Ausgabe von World Soccer.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2018-Ausgabe von World Soccer.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines