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11/14 16:27 CST Croatia qualifies for World Cup by beating Faroe Islands and
Netherlands move closer
Croatia qualifies for World Cup by beating Faroe Islands and Netherlands move
closer
By SAMUEL PETREQUIN
AP Sports Writer
Croatia secured a place at next year's World Cup with a 3-1 win that ended tiny
Faroe Islands' dream on Friday and the Netherlands moved closer to
qualification by drawing in Poland.
Croatia knew before kickoff that avoiding defeat in Rijeka would guarantee
qualification but it was caught cold in the 16th minute when Geza Dvid Turi
scored with a deflected shot.
The 2018 World Cup runner-up quickly recovered, however, as Josko Gvardiol
leveled in the 23rd. Making his return to the national team after two years
away, Petar Musa put Croatia ahead 2-1 after halftime from Josip Stanisic's
assist. In complete control, Croatia added a third goal when Nikola Vlasic
volleyed in a precise cross from Ivan Perisic at the far post.
It was Faroe Islands' final match in Group L and the team will finish behind
runner-up the Czech Republic. The second-placed team advances to the playoffs
for the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Montenegro beat Gibraltar 2-1 in the group's other game.
Big draw for the Dutch Coach Ronald Koeman's Netherlands came from behind in Warsaw to draw with Poland 1-1 and take a major step toward direct qualification in Group G. With one match left to play, the Dutch top the group, three points clear of the Poles after Memphis Depay's second-half equalizer canceled Jakub Kami?ski's opener. The Netherlands also has a much better goal difference before the final match against Lithuania. Poland takes on Malta on Monday.
Germany and Slovakia fighting for top spot In Group A, Germany is guaranteed of a top-two finish after Nick Woltemade scored twice in a scrappy 2-0 win at Luxembourg. Slovakia scored late to beat visiting Northern Ireland 1-0. Germany and Slovakia are level on points and will face off on Monday in Leipzig in a match that will decide the group winner. Slovakia had two goals disallowed before Toms Bobcek broke the deadlock in added time.
Malta upsets Finland for a rare win Malta snatched its first win in 2026 World Cup qualifying, converting its only shot on target to stun Finland 1-0 in Helsinki in Group G. According to the Malta Football Association, this was only the fourth win ever by Malta in World Cup qualifying. Midfielder Jake Grech came off the bench in the 79th minute and scored the decisive goal three minutes later from the edge of the area. It was only Malta's second goal in seven qualifiers, against 16 conceded. Malta rose to fourth in Europe Group G, five points behind Finland, which can't qualify. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Big draw for the Dutch Coach Ronald Koeman's Netherlands came from behind in Warsaw to draw with Poland 1-1 and take a major step toward direct qualification in Group G. With one match left to play, the Dutch top the group, three points clear of the Poles after Memphis Depay's second-half equalizer canceled Jakub Kami?ski's opener. The Netherlands also has a much better goal difference before the final match against Lithuania. Poland takes on Malta on Monday.
Germany and Slovakia fighting for top spot In Group A, Germany is guaranteed of a top-two finish after Nick Woltemade scored twice in a scrappy 2-0 win at Luxembourg. Slovakia scored late to beat visiting Northern Ireland 1-0. Germany and Slovakia are level on points and will face off on Monday in Leipzig in a match that will decide the group winner. Slovakia had two goals disallowed before Toms Bobcek broke the deadlock in added time.
Malta upsets Finland for a rare win Malta snatched its first win in 2026 World Cup qualifying, converting its only shot on target to stun Finland 1-0 in Helsinki in Group G. According to the Malta Football Association, this was only the fourth win ever by Malta in World Cup qualifying. Midfielder Jake Grech came off the bench in the 79th minute and scored the decisive goal three minutes later from the edge of the area. It was only Malta's second goal in seven qualifiers, against 16 conceded. Malta rose to fourth in Europe Group G, five points behind Finland, which can't qualify. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
