Phew, that was a night. Well done to Scotland, well done to Switzerland and well done to Northern Ireland; the playoffs are in March, and should be absolute scenes. Thanks for your company – night night.
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Here’s Ewan Murray’s report from Hampden Park.
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Here’s David Hytner’s report from San Marino:
And here are Garry Southgate’s thoughts: “Our qualification was earned away in Budapest, away in Warsaw, away in Albania. I’ve got to credit all of our players and staff for a really good year. Even in a game like tonight, we can’t do anything about the level of the opposition, but their mentality was terrific. If I’d left Harry Kane on for the last half an hour, we’d have had Wayne Rooney’s family on the phone telling us to get him off! He’s a phenomenal goalscorer, and has obviously not had the opportunity in some of those games where there have been a lot of goals available, and we wanted him to have that opportunity tonight. He took it well. We finished with a very young side and a lot of promise for the future. It was important for Trent Alexander-Arnold to have an enjoyable England night, and he’s shown fabulous quality for a couple of assists, and he’ll go back feeling a big part of what’s happened. This is a good opportunity to look at some of the younger players and what experiences they might need before the World Cup.”
Courtesy of Scott Murray, who was on England duty, here’s what Haitch Kane had to say post-match: “Fantastic. We was expected to win but we did a great job. As you see with the other groups, it’s not that easy to qualify. When we win our games people write off the opposition, but it’s a tough battle and to go through is a fantastic feeling. Every time I wear an England shirt I’m proud and when I score goals it’s a great feeling. We still need to keep working, we are improving year on year.”
Ahem.
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As for Group F, Denmark finish top with 27 from 10 – they won their first nine games – and Scotland, who beat them tonight, come second with 23. Israel are thrid with 16, Austria fourth also with 16, Faroe Islands fifth with four and Moldova sixth with one.
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Switzerland top Group C with 18 points from eight games; Italy finish on 16, Northern Ireland nine, Bulgaria eight and Lithuania three. NI will regret taking just one point from Bulgaria, but they’re a solid outfit and will hope to improve in qualifying for Euro 2024.
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Full-time: Switzerland 4-0 Bulgaria
Switzerland go to the World Cup! They’ve got very very good at qualifying for stuff.
England top Group I with 26 points from 10 games and had they lost tonight they’d still have done so. Poland make the playoffs with 20, while Albania finish on 18, Hungary 17, Andorra 6 and San Marino 0.
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It’s going off in Lucerne, where Shaqiri has just been withdrawn to receive a richly-deserved standing ovation. He devastated Bulgaria in the second half.
Full-time scores
Group C
Northern Ireland 0-0 Italy
Switzerland 4-0 Bulgaria (three minutes of injury-time left)
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Group F
Austria 4-1 Moldova
Israel 3-2 Faroe Islands
Scotland 2-0 Denmark
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Group I
Albania 1-0 Andorra
Poland 1-2 Hungary
San Marino 0-10 England
Full-time: Scotland 2-0 Denmark
A tremendous result and a terrific performance from Scotland, who hand Denmark their first defeat of the group and will now have home advantage in their playoff semi. what a job Steve Clarke is doing!
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Full-time: Northern Ireland 0-0 Italy
A brilliant performance from NI, shutting down a very disappointing Italy. If the European champions are to make the World Cup, they’ll have to win their playoff path! Just a few days ago, Jorginho had a last-minute penalty to beat Switzerland and whammed it over the bar, but given he’s a European champion at club and international level, he’ll probably take the karmic payback.
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GOAL! Switzerland 4-0 Bulgaria (Freuler 90+1)
More wizardry from Shaqiri, who’s been brilliant. He twinkles down the left of the box, cuts back, and Freuler drags home inside the near post! Italy need to score three, or in other words Switzerland are going to the World Cup!
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Full-time: San Marino 0-10 England
England shade it and top Group I. They’re going to the World Cup!
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Desperate, Donnarumma bowls out and Italy attack with pace – we’ve not seen much of that tonight – but Evans clears the resultant cross.
If Italy don’t score twice in the next 3o seconds and injury-time, they’ll have to playoff for a World Cup place. They’ve been very poor tonight, running out of ideas quite some time ago, and as i type that, Washington drives into the box! He’s got Magennis alongside him, but opts to shoot ... and can’t find the power he needs, which allows the covering defender to clear off the line!
Scotland nearly make it three, McGinn crossing superbly from the right, Adams heading back and Armstrong punching his shot ... which Schmeichel saves superbly.
GOAL! Austria 4-1 Moldova (Ljubicic 83)
Austria have had a good night.
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GOAL! Scotland 2-0 Denmark (Adams 86)
This is a lovely goal, Armstrong leading a counter and slipping Adams in, who punishes a fine finish low and hard inside Schmeichel’s near post! What a win this is going to be for Scotland, who will now have a home tie in their playoff semi.
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Back at Hampden, Uhre has just missed a fine chance to equaliser, scuffing on the turn from eight yards. This could be a great scalp for Scotland, but they, Wales, NI and Ireland are all doing well, but excuse me while I interrupt myself!
Back in Lucerne, Switzerland are pushing for four, five and 37. They’ve torn into Bulgaria this half in a way that Italy haven’t been able to with NI. Partly, that’s because they’ve not played as well, and partly that’s because they’ve not been allowed to play as well. But they’ve lacked the fury tonight, and I’m sure Mancini is displeased.
Gosh, here come NI down the right, moving it beautifully until Lewis crosses behind Magennis, and Dallas, storming onto the ball, hammers low and just wide of the far post! NI have been superb tonight.
GOALS! San Marino 0-10 England (Abraham 78, Saka 79)
braham slides home from 12 yards, Saka heads in from five. England’s biggest-ever win is 13-0 over Ireland in 1882.
Reminder that Louis van Gaal sold Jonny Evans to West Brom for peanuts and replaced him with Marcos Rojo.
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GOAL! Israel 3-2 Faroe Islands (Peretz 74)
Israel go back in front.
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So Italy now trail Switzerland on goal difference and goals scored. A 1-0 win for them would level both of those, but Switzerland would still finish top of the group thanks to the away goal they scored in Rome, a 1-1 draw outranking the 0-0 draw between the sides in Basel.
GOAL! Switzerland 3-0 Bulgaria (Itten)
Switzerland have been devastating since half-time, turning it up right when they needed to – they could easily have scored six. But three looks like being enough, Itten flashing a header into the far corner following a fine cross by Steffen.
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NO GOAL! San Marino 0-8 England
it’s been disallowed because of a foul by Abraham.
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GOAL! San Marino 0-9 England (Bellingham 71)
Bellingham lashes in after Gallagher hits the post and San Marino fail to get the ball clear.
GOALS! Israel 2-2 Faroe Islands (Weissman 58, Vatnhamar 62, Olsen 72)
It’s all going on, but what a point this would be for the Faroes.
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GOAL! San Marino 0-8 England (Mings 69)
Alexander-Arnold sweeps over a free-kick, and Mings glances a terrific header inside the far post.
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“Thanks for your recommendation,” returns Josh Reynolds. “I have to say that although it seems difficult to see how NI can keep this up the entire time, it also seems like Italy just don’t have a ton of ideas about how to break them down. There seems to be a real lack of vim and vigour in the side this evening.”
Yup, I’d agree with that. Ultimately, they lack the individuals able to redeem poor performances with brilliance, though NI are defending them really well – Jonny Evans, in particular, is having a blinder.
Italy take off Insigne and send on Bernardeschi.
NO GOAL! Switzerland 2-0 Bulgaria
The goal has been chalked off as Gavranovic was offside.
GOAL! Switzerland 3-0 Bulgaria (Gavranovic 64)
A chip over the top and Gavranovic, on the right side of the box, hooks a half-volley from around his arse and in off the near post! Italy need to score twice!
Back in San Marino, Haitch Kane has just been withdrawn. With a treble hat-trick in the offing, he must be spewing.
Ah there’s Chiesa, fed by Berardi, stepping inside his man, and bending just past the post. And he’s now playing with a proper centre-forward, Belotti replacing Barella.
Back at Hampden, Scotland have had a better few minutes, keeping the ball nicely and looking to spring forward, while back in Lucerne, Widmer has just passed across the face of the box to no one.
GOAL! Austria 3-1 Moldova (Nicolaescu 60)
I’m sure he took it well, but I’ve no room for any more screens.
GOAL! Switzerland 2-0 Bulgaria (Vargas 57)
This is a bazzing finish, leathered high inside the near post, left-footed, from the left side of the box! If Italy can’t score, they’ll be playing off; if Switzerland score again, Italy need two!
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GOAL! San Marino 0-7 England (Smith Rowe 58)
It’s a debut goal for the Arsenal man, tucking away after a nice touch-off from Abraham.
Back in Lucerne, Shaqiri has just battered a drive against the face of the post. If Switzerland can score twice more, a one-goal win won’ be enough for Italy because of of Switzerland’s superior head-to-head record.
On Italy, one of the reasons I didn’t think they’d win the Euros was that they lack – or I thought they lacked – a superstar able to redeem poor performances. Perhaps I just didn’t know how good Chiesa is, but they’re missing that kind of player tonight, I’d say.
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At Hampden Park, Denmark are pushing to equalise, and Craig Gordon has just made a fine save from a close-range header; I’m not sure whose it was, as I’ve got sound on the Italy and Switzerland games, but it showcased some serious reaction.s
Talking of whom, Lewis has just forced a scrambling save from Donnarumma! NI are playing nicely now, and Italy need to find a goal while Switzerland need a few more. But as it stands, they are the ones who qualify for Qatar automatically.
GOAAAAAL! Switzerland 1-0 Bulgaria (Okafor 48)
Trickery from Shaqiri down the left side of the box, followed by a dink, and there’s Okafor to nod home! Check to Italy!
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Northern Ireland have made a confident start to the second half, knocking the ball about nicely. But then Insigne collects an excellent low pass from Bonucci, turning, and larruping a low shot that skids by the far post.
We go again!
The players are back with us. Italy are sending on Cristante for Tonali.
Goodness me, we’ve got ourselves a second half set-up in Group C. Here’s a reminder of who needs what:
Italy and Switzerland will take the top two spots, with Italy currently leading on goal difference and goals scored (13-2, +11 v 11-2 +9).
If the sides finish level on goal difference and goals scored, Switzerland will take top spot as the away goal they scored in Rome means have the superior head-to-head record – both games between the sides were drawn, 1-1 in Italy and 0-0 in Switzerland.
Half-time email: “Unfortunately, I can only turn on one of these games after the half,” says Josh Reynolds. “Bulgaria v Switzerland or NI vs Italy. In your opinion, which one looks the more exciting so far?”
Er, I’d watch NI v Italy because if Italy win, Switzerland need to score a few. Then if Italy score, I’d switch to Switzerland.
Half-time scores
Group C
Northern Ireland 0-0 Italy
Switzerland 0-0 Bulgaria
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Group F
Austria 2-0 Moldova
Israel 1-0 Faroe Islands
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
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Group I
Albania 0-0 Andorra
Poland 0-1 Hungary
San Marino 0-6 England
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Oh my days, Okrafor gets the ball on the left of the box, opens his body to curl for the far corner ... and hits the inside of the post, the ball rolling tantalisingly along the line without crossing it! Bulgaria are still holding Switzerland, but only just!
Howard Vaughton and Willie Hall also scored five in one England game, Hall against NI in November 1938 – in a 30-minute period either side of half-time – and Vaughton against Ireland in February 1882.
Meantime, Schafer has put Hungary 1-0 up in Poland.
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GOAL! San Marino 0-6 England (Kane 42)
Goodness me! Malcom MacDonald scored five for England against Cyprus once upon a time and I think Steve Bloomer also once got five, but Kane, who just danced between two challenges before slotting his finish, could do something very silly tonight, if he’s kept on long enough.
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GOAL! Scotland 1-0 Denmark (Souttar 35)
This would be a decent win for Scotland, who are developing into a very useful outfit. If they can hang on, they’ll be at home in their playoff semi – and apologies this goal was so late, but my screen was slow in updating.
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GOAL! San Marino 0-5 England (Kane pen 39)
Tow hat-tricks in two consecutive first halves! This time, the keeper goes to his right and so does Kane, but he rams the ball into the roof and “you just don’t save those”. Course he wanted to play tonight!
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PENALTY TO ENGLAND!
Saka heads Kane’s cross goalwards, D’Addario extends an arm, and is booked.
“Sure, Italy were outplayed by Spain,” emails Ewan Glenton, “the possession stats make that clear, but saying England should’ve beaten them in the final seems simplistic. What I remember is England were superior for the first 30 mins but after that Italy were a better football team than England, managed the game better and won. Is that really something that has to be denied at all costs? Not all countries keep on doing this ‘that was our year but…’ narrative, which gets a bit annoying, after 39 years in my experience.”
England aren’t my team, so it’s not like that. Italy deserved to win because – in my opinion – Southgate is too cautious for the attackers he has, so his team sat back, inviting Italy onto them, and paid the price. A better, or more adventurous manager, and England win. I believe the Uefa technical report drew similar conclusions.
In Belfast, they’re singing about George Best, so here’s perhaps his greatest performance – 1969 against England, what’s become known as “the George Best game”.
GOAL! Israel 1-0 Faroe Islands (Dabbur pen 30)
Israel must be seriously ruing losing to Scotland. They’ve not made a World Cup since 1970.
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GOAL! San Marino 0-4 England (Kane 32)
He’s all over this! Smith Rowe nashes down the left, crosses, and Kane drags a scuff into the far corner.
The other problem with the laws is that they’re badly drafted. It’s fine to allow refs to interpret legislation, but the legislation needs to be clear about that, and also clear about defining its terms – in particular, “accidental”. Does it mean deliberately playing the ball with a hand? Moving the hand towards the ball?
Ultimately, the penalty law is a bit silly. I don’t see why you get an almost certain goal for an infringement that didn’t prevent a scoring opportunity - I’d only give a penalty if there was one, and I’d give them for offences all over the pitch, not just those in the box. Otherwise, direct free-kick.
Here’s something on that, and on a few other potential improvements.
GOAL! San Marino 0-3 England (Kane 27)
That’s 13 England goals for Kane in 2021, who lifts his kick down the middle as the keeper dives out of the way to his left.
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Back in San Marino, Foden has just scissors-kicked wide ... but a defender had a hand up and it looks like the ball flicked it. The ref is watching the screen and that’s got to be a penalty, I’m afraid. Hazza Kane will fancy adding another free goal to his burgeoning tally while poor old Rossi is booked for his infraction.
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GOAL! Austria 2-0 Moldova (Trimmel 21)
This one looks over already.
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Barella looks like Italy’s main threat and he runs beyond the strikers to collect a long ball, knocking back to Insigne, who lashes wide. The flag goes up, but that’s a bit better from Italy.
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I wanted to say do me a lemon in Italian, so googled it, and instead came across the recipe for lemon and raspberry domes, which look absolutely sensational.
Jorginho, on the other hand. I know he’s decent, but men’s player of the year? Oof madone.
I suppose it’s not uncommon, but how much would Italy love to have Verratti available tonight. Locatelli was one of the best players in the early stages of the Euros, but the second yerman was fit into the team he went, because at his best he’s one of the best.
GOAL! San Marino 0-2 England (Fabbri 15)
Saka drills a decent enough shot but it’s not going in, I don’t think, until Fabbri extends a leg and shins it past Benedettini.
I love what Roberto Mancini has done with his Italy side, but I’m still fairly shocked they won a tournament together. Not that they’re not a good side, they are, but had Gareth Southgate kept his nerve, I think England would’ve beaten them, Spain outplayed them but couldn’t finish, and France tossed it against Switzerland. But they’re champions of Europe and rightly so.
Northern Ireland have started well. Italy will have to work for this, but Bulgaria are defending doughtily in Switzerland.
GOAL! Austria 1-0 Moldova (Arnautovic 4)
I’ve not got this game on, but this is what’s happened in it.
Now Whyte breaks into the Italy half and Tonali hauls him down; he’s booked, and Flanagan – I think – heads the free-kick over the top.
Insigne, dropping off the front, swivels to send a gorgeous pass out to Di Lorenzo, barrelling into the box, he shoots, but Peacock-Farrell stands up well, poking away.
Just as Maguire was scoring, Vargas of Switzerland mooched across the face of the Bulgaria box, rifling a riser just over the bar. That was a decent hit and not too far away.
GOAL! San Marino 0-1 England (Maguire 4)
He’s a veritable goal machine! Meeting an outswinging corner, he powers inside the far post, and this time he doesn’t put fingers in ears or on lips; it’s only a goal against Albania with the power to wipe memories of some of the worst performances in the history of football.
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Northern Ireland are playing four at the back with Steven Davis in front. They’ll be difficult to penetrate, and my guess is that Italy try and leave the centre-backs with no one to mark and nothing to do, attacking the space in behind and the gaps in between.
In Lucerne, they’re pogoing behind the goal that Bulgaria are attacking, but it’s been a quiet start to the game.
Off we go. If San Marino v England is what you’re after, you can follow it in the MBM style with Scott Murray.
I’ve got the England match on too; I wonder how many mentions there’ll be of Davide Gualtieri.
But I’m afraid they recruited a soprano to sing the Italian national anthem, which is not of the required raucousness. As such:
There’s a right old racket in Lucerne, which the official film of the 1954 World Cup taught me is a beautiful place.
Here come the various teams in the various locations.
On the subject of Ronaldo, here’s something to read on him, from last week.
“Thank you Daniel,” begins Charles Antaki, guaranteeing himself an appearance on the page. “Letchkov’s tufty island indeed. I’d forgotten that hairstyle (if that’s what it was). But now I wonder if it solves the puzzle of Brazilian Ronaldo’s curious ‘look’ at the 2002 World Cup? For younger viewers, imagine a triangle cut out of a sheet of black sandpaper, and pasted onto the front of an otherwise shaven head. If he was channeling Letchkov, it worked - he scored twice to beat Germany in the final.”
To say nothing of Bobby Mihaylov and his, er, do.
On Sky, they’re extolling Stuart Dallas, who’s matured into a really excellent footballer. He once played five different positions in the same Northern Ireland game, and his ability to inject pace into the game is crucial for both his club and his country. I bet he won every race at sports day.
I’m also looking forward to seeing how Chiesa does tonight. He has a real sense of timing, and his team are going to need that. We can almost assume that Switzerland will be Bulgaria – though we can’t forget what happened to Sweden in Georgia last week – whereas Northern Ireland away is a tough game and absolutely not one a team that needs to win would’ve picked.
England, then. Gareth Southgate hands out two debuts, both of them to Arsenal players: Aaron Ramsdale and Emile Smith Rowe. Ramsdale has a decent chance of challenging for the number one spot, because it doesn’t look like Jordan Pickford will ever become good enough enough to cement the jersey. Smith Rowe, meanwhile, has added numbers to all his fine work, and though competition for places - squad places - in attack is intense, he’s improved a lot, very quickly.
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As for Italy, Roberto Mancini makes two changes, one in midfield – Tonali for Locatelli – and one up front – Berardi for Belotti. I guess this is the game I’ll mainly be watching, and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how the former does, because as well looking like Adam Driver, he’s going to be a player.
Ian Baraclough, the Northern Ireland manager, has made three changes to his team. Conor Washington has a niggle, so isn’t risked; Gavin Whyte comes in. Paddy McNair has gone back to Boro, so Tom Flanagan replaces him, and Shane Ferguson is left out, with Jamal Lewis taking his spot. Baraclough expects Italy’s front three to rotate, making runs from in to out.
Any discussion of Bulgaria and the World Cup necessarily leads us to Yordan Letchkov, scorer of perhaps the most iconic goal of the 90s. Here’s something to read on that.
Bulgaria have three players in their squad called Iliev, which I believe derives from the forename Iliya.
Let's have some team news
San Marino: E. Benedettini, Manuel Battistini, Fabbri, Rossi, Tomassini, Lunadei, E. Golinucci, Mularoni, D’Addario, Nanni, Hirsch. Subs: S. Benedettini, Marconi, Censoni, Tomassini, Zonzini, Vitaioli, Grandoni, Zafferani, Conti, A. Golinucci, Ceccaroli, Michael Battistini.
England: Ramsdale, Maguire, Coady, Mings, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Bellingham, Saka, Foden, Smith Rowe, Kane. Subs: Chilwell, Johnstone, James, Walker, Stones, Abraham, Gallagher, Pickford.
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Scotland: Gordon, Cooper, O’Donnell, Robertson, Souttar, Tierney, Gilmour, McGinn, McGregor, Adams, Christie. Subs: Clark, McLaughlin, Ralston, Porteous, McKenna, Armstrong, McLean, Turnbull, Nisbet, Brown.
Denmark: Schmeichel, Kristensen, Kjaer, Vestergaard, Maehle, Wass, Christensen, Jonsson, Larsen, Olsen, Cornelius. Subs: Vindahl-Jensen, Ronnow, Maxso, Stage, Uhre, Dreyer, Bah, Riis, Sisto.
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Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell, Cathcart, Flanagan, Evans, Lewis, Davis, Dallas, McCann, Saville, Whyte, Magennis. Subs: Hazard, Southwood, Bradley, McGinn, Washington, Taylor, Ferguson, Corry Evans, Jones, Galbraith, Brown.
Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Emerson, Tonali, Jorginho, Barella, Berardi, Insigne, Chiesa. Subs: Meret, Cragno, Zappacosta, Ferrari, Locatelli, Scamacca, Belotti, Pessina, Cristante, Bernardeschi, Raspadori, Mancini.
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Switzerland: Sommer, Widmer, Cömert, Schär, Frei, Mbabu, Freuler, Zakaria Okafor Shaqiri, Vargas, Gavranovic. Subs: Omlin, Zeqiri, Cumart, Itten, Imeri, Kohn, Garcia, Aebischer, Steffen, Sow.
Bulgaria: Karadzhov, Turitsov, Hristov, Dimitrov, Tsvetanov, Nedelev, Kostadinov, Chochev, Kirilov, Iliev A, Despodov. Subs: Petkov, Minchev, Iliev I, Vutsov, Iliev D, Tsonev, Mihaylov, Tsonev, Velkovski, Yankov, Ivanov.
And these are the permutations in the remaining groups, to be settled tomorrow.
Group D
Finland v France, Bosnia & Herzegovina v Ukraine
France are through as group winners. Finland will take second place if they beat France or Ukraine fail to beat Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Ukraine will come second if they beat Bosnia & Herzegovina and Finland lose to France.
If Finland draw with France and Ukraine beat Bosnia & Herzegovina, the teams will be level on points. Currently, Finland have the superior goal difference and goals scored record (10-8, +2 v 9-8, +1) but if they finish level on points and on these tiebreakers, Ukraine will progress to playoffs on account of their superior head-to-head record.
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Group E
Wales v Belgium, Czech Republic v Estonia
Belgium have qualified as group winners. Wales will take second spot if they avoid defeat or if Czech Republic lose or draw.
Wales lead Czech Republic on goal difference and goals scored (13-8, +5, v 12-9, +3). If those tiebreakers end up level, Wales have the superior head-to-head record.
Whichever of Wales and Czech Republic finishes third will reach the playoffs on account of their Nations League performance.
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Group G
Netherlands v Norway, Montenegro v Turkey, Gibraltar v Latvia
Netherlands top the group if they win, or if they draw and Turkey fail to win.
Turkey will take second spot if they win, or if they draw and Norway lose.
Turkey lead Norway on goal difference and goals scored (25-15, +10 v 15-6, +9) and Netherlands (31-8, +23) are far enough ahead of both to be almost uncatchable.
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Preamble
Hello there! After a the joy of yesterday’s shenaniga – unbridled elation and moderate nauseation – let us hope that more of the same awaits us today. Italy and Switzerland, we’re looking at you. But before we get to enjoy ourselves, please bear with me while I perform some housekeeping:
Teams level on points will be separated according to the following criteria:
- Highest number of points
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
- Points obtained in group games between teams concerned
- Goal difference from games involving teams concerned
- Number of goals scored in games between teams concerned
- Fair play points
- Drawing of lots by FIFA
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Group C
Switzerland v Bulgaria, Northern Ireland v Italy
Italy and Switzerland will take the top two spots, with Italy currently leading on goal difference and goals scored (13-2, +11 v 11-2 +9).
If the sides finish level on goal difference and goals scored, Switzerland will take top spot as the away goal they scored in Rome means have the superior head-to-head record – both games between the sides were drawn, 1-1 in Italy and 0-0 in Switzerland.
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Group F
Scotland v Denmark, Israel v Faroe Islands, Austria v Moldova
Denmark are through as group winners. Scotland are through via the playoffs.
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Group I
Albania v Andorra, San Marino v England, Poland v Hungary
England and Poland will finish in the first two spots.
England top the group if they avoid defeat or if Poland fail to win.
If England lose and Poland win, Poland must also close a goal-difference gap of six to top the group.
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Nations League qualifiers
Two of Wales, Austria and Czech Republic will reach the playoffs on account of their Nations League performance, despite finishing outside the top of their group. Austria cannot finish in the top two of Group F, while Wales and Czech Republic are competing for second place in Group E.
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Qualified from completed groups
Group A – Serbia
Group H – Croatia
Group J – Germany
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The playoffs
There will be 12 teams – the 10 group runners-up and two Nations League sides – who will be drawn into three paths of four. Each path will host two one-off semi-finals with the winners will meet in a final, the winners of which progress to Qatar.
These paths will be seeded according to points accumulated in qualifying, with the Nations League teams unseeded.
The playoffs will comprise:
Portugal (seeded)
Sweden (seeding tbc)
Wales (seeding tbc)
Czech Republic (seeding tbc)
Russia (seeded)
Scotland (seeding tbc)
Austria (unseeded)
North Macedonia (unseeded)
Group C runner-up (seeding tbc)
Group D runner-up (seeding tbc)
Group G runner-up (seeding tbc)
Group I runner-up (seeding tbc)
The draw will take place on Friday 26 November at 4pm GMT.
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Tonight’s kick-offs: 7.45pm GMT
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