BUDAPEST: Israel’s hopes of reaching the European Championships for the primary time in opposition to the background of bloody battle at dwelling had been shattered by a 4-1 defeat to Iceland on Thursday whereas war-torn Ukraine stayed heading in the right direction for the finals with a last-gasp comeback.
Due to the continuing battle with Hamas, Israel’s tie was switched to Budapest and their hopes of making the finals of any main competitors for the primary time because the 1970 World Cup loved a assured begin.
On the half-hour mark, Daniel Leo Gretarsson was punished for bringing down Eran Zahavi.
The lead lasted lower than 10 minutes, nevertheless, when Genoa’s Albert Gudmundsson curled in a free-kick to equalise.
Just three minutes earlier than half-time Iceland, who made the quarterfinals on the 2016 Euros, had been forward.
Gudmundsson swept over a nook and midfielder Arnor Ingvi Traustason was readily available to lash the ball dwelling off a deflection which wrongfooted Israel’s goalkeeper Omri Glazer.
Israel’s Roy Revivo was despatched off within the 73rd minute however his group had been then handed a golden probability to equalise when Gudmundur Thorarinsson was penalised for a handball.
However, this time Zahavi dragged his penalty extensive and Iceland quickly made him pay.
In the 83rd minute, Gudmundsson grabbed his second of the evening after a surging run after which accomplished his hat-trick because the clock ran down.
“It’s very disappointing. We had been one aim forward after which we conceded two straightforward targets earlier than half-time,” mentioned Glazer.
“It’s by no means straightforward when it’s 11 in opposition to 10, and generally you miss a penalty, it’s half of soccer. Then we gambled extra. We misplaced, and we have to look within the mirror at what we did nicely, and what not so nicely.”
Iceland will now face Ukraine on Tuesday with the winner to say a spot on this summer season’s finals in Germany.
“We had been missing targets earlier in qualification final yr, and now we have now Albert Gudmundsson again, and he confirmed that he’s a category participant,” mentioned Iceland coach Age Hareide.
Ukraine’s hopes of making it to successive Euros had been saved alive after a dramatic and really late come-from-behind 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica.
Defender Amar Dedic unleashed a strong drive simply earlier than the hour mark with the ball deflected into his personal aim by the unlucky Mykola Matviyenko to provide Bosnia the lead.
However, two targets inside 4 minutes within the dying exchanges gave Ukraine victory.
In the eighty fifth minute, substitute Roman Yaremchuk scored from a high-quality cross by Yukhym Konoplia to degree the tie.
Artem Dovbyk, whose targets have pushed Girona nearer to a Champions League place in Spain, headed Ukraine’s winner with two minutes left.
“Our gamers needed to win and attacked as a lot as they might,” mentioned Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov.
Wales to face Poland
Wales will face Poland for a spot within the finals after powering to a 4-1 win in opposition to Finland in Cardiff.
Rob Page’s facet stormed right into a two-goal lead because of strikes from David Brooks and Neco Williams.
Teemu Pukki decreased the deficit simply earlier than the break, however Brennan Johnson and Daniel James netted within the second half to maintain Wales’ goals alive.
Bidding to succeed in a 3rd consecutive European Championship, Wales will tackle Poland within the playoff last in Cardiff on Tuesday.
Poland, bidding to play in a fourth successive Euros, crushed Estonia 5-1 with targets from Przemyslaw Frankowski, Piotr Zielinski, Jakub Piotrowski, Nicola Zalewski, and Sebastian Szymanski.
Estonia needed to play with 10 males for greater than an hour after Maksim Paskotsi was red-carded for a foul on Zalewski.
Georgia, trying to make the finals of a significant event for the primary time, defeated Luxembourg 2-0 in Tbilisi.
Both targets got here from Budu Zivzivadze who additionally hit the woodwork. Georgia had been with out Napoli star striker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who was suspended.
They will face 2004 champions Greece subsequent Tuesday for a spot within the Germany showpiece.
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The Greeks had been far too sturdy for Kazakhstan in Athens, profitable 5-0 with 4 of the targets coming within the opening 40 minutes for Gus Poyet’s group.
