Netherlands comes back and wins in Ireland, Albania scuttles Poland

A complex and remedied victory, a knockout that could prove heavy in view of the European Championships.

Difficult Sunday for the big names engaged in challenges valid for qualification for Euro 2024. The Netherlands and Poland, among others, took the field, but the former è managed to beat Ireland only after a complex comeback. The second è even collapsed in Albania and now finds itself resoundingly in fourth place in Group E. No problems, however, for Denmark, Greece, Serbia and Slovenia on the pitch in San Marino.

For the Netherlands it seemed to get ugly in Dublin, where already on 5' Idah scored on a penalty kick for Ireland. Another penalty, Gakpo’s, is worth the equalizer on 19'. Then in the second half, Weghorst at 56' signed the final 2-1 for the Oranje of Dumfries and De Ligt (as well as Reijnders and Koopmeiners, who took over in the second half). In trouble, however, is Poland, defeated 2-0 in Tirana despite the presence on the pitch of Lewandowski, Zielinski, Linetty, Bereszynski and the not unimpeachable goalkeeper Szczesny. Albania stuffed with familiar faces from Serie A (Strakosha, Hysaj, Ismajli, Ramadani, Bajrami, Asllani and captain Djimsiti) in fact won 2-0: Asani and Daku scored the goals that earned them the top of the round at +2 from the Czech Republic.

Three goals from Mitrovic lifted Serbia, which forgot the home loss to Hungary and got back on its feet by winning 3-1 in Lithuania (Vlahovic played only the last 20 minutes), è however, Hojbjerg signed the decisive goal with which his Denmark won 1-0 in Finland. Same result for Kazakhstan over Northern Ireland and for Moldova on the field of the Faroe Islands.

On the other hand, clear victories for Greece over Gibraltar (5-0) and Slovenia in Serravalle against San Marino (4-0, Lovric also in goal). Instead, the challenge between Montenegro and Bulgaria ended 2-1, with Jovetic’s decisive goal even at 97'.