The Euro 2024 playoffs wrapped up the final three spots available at this summer’s tournament in Germany. After Georgia secured a spot in a major international tournament for the first time, eyes turned to the other two playoffs. Iceland faced Ukraine in a neutral-site game in Wrocław, Poland. In the other game, Wales hosted Poland in a game featuring two teams that played in the most recent World Cup in Qatar.
In the Poland game in Cardiff, Robert Lewandowski’s side thrashed Estonia, 5-1, to set up this one-game playoff. Likewise, Wales dumped Euro 2020 debutante Finland with a 4-1 win in Cardiff. After failing to qualify for any major international tournament since 1958, Wales was looking for its third trip to the European Championship in a row. However, Poland was in the way as it hunted its fifth title.
In the end, Wales against Poland was scoreless for 120 minutes, forcing penalty kicks to determine the winner. With Poland scoring all five penalty kicks, it was up to Daniel James for Wales to score Wales’ fifth. Unfortunately for Wales, Poland Wojciech Szczęsny saved the shot to send Wales crashing out.
The fixture between Iceland and Ukraine was not as clear. Due to ongoing conflicts in both Ukraine and Israel, this four-team playoff involving Israel, Iceland, Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina involved two neutral-site games. Ukraine won on the road against Bosnia and Herzegovina after Artem Dovbyk scored in the 88th minute. Iceland defeated Israel in Budapest behind Albert Guðmundsson hat trick. With Ukraine hosting the playoff final, UEFA designated that fixture as another game with a neutral venue.
In tonight’s game, it was Ukraine who advanced to Euro 2024. Iceland went ahead in the match, but Ukraine bounced back and found a winner through Mykhailo Mudryk who scored in the 84th minute to get the win.
By the end of Tuesday’s fixtures, Ukraine and Polandjoined the 22 teams already with a spot in the European Championships….
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-euro/euro-2024-playoffs-conclude-as-ukraine-and-poland-advance
Author : Kyle Fansler
Publish date : 2024-03-26 22:42:05
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