Qualification for Euro 2024 has crossed the equator. There is still no team guaranteed to qualify for the tournament (with the exception of Germany as the host), but an understanding is emerging in several groups. For example, Scotland, France, England, Austria, Belgium and Portugal are very close to the Euro Cup. But let’s go through all the groups in order.
Group A: it is practically clear who will take both tickets to Euro 2024
Scotland and Spain are the main favorites to reach the final phase of the tournament
As expected, the Spanish rushed forward. After powerful victories over Georgia (7-1) and Cyprus (6-0), the team moved from fourth to second place. Furthermore, the Spanish played one game less than their rivals. In October, the Spanish will meet direct competitors: Scotland and Norway. The fate of the two tickets in this group will probably be decided in a month, although everything already seems more or less clear.
Group B: Netherlands rises two places in a week
France comes with an indicator of 100%
In September, France only played one qualifying match against Ireland. The finalists of the last World Cup had no problems, except for Giroud’s injury. The French have won all five games of the cycle so far. The situation with second place is more interesting. The Netherlands was in fourth place a week ago, but has now risen to second. We beat our direct competitors: Greece (3-0) and Ireland (2-1). Having a match in hand, they feel quite confident.
Group C: Spalletti got off to a terrible start
Italy, Ukraine and North Macedonia have the same points
England’s position seems more than comfortable even after the draw with Ukraine. The question is who will get the second ticket. Three teams have seven points each, but the Italians themselves here seem favorites and also have a game in hand. Although Spalletti’s debut in the national team was complicated. First, a draw with North Macedonia and then a nervous end to the match with Ukraine. If the match had ended in a draw, it would have been a disaster for the new coach of the Italian team.
Group D: Croatia climbs positions in the table
Croatia and Turkey have taken the lead, but Armenia and Wales still have a chance
Just a week ago Croatia was in fourth place in terms of points and now it is first. Dalic’s team defeated Latvia (5-0) and Armenia (1-0). In addition, the match between Turkey and Armenia ended well for the Croatians, who at the same time lost points (1-1). Now the Croatians occupy first place and still have one game less than their rivals. Apparently, Armenia and Turkey are fighting for second place, and they will no longer face each other in this qualifying phase. At the same time, the Turks have an advantage in head-to-head matches and both teams will play Croatia again.
Group E: the Poles are very close to failure
Poland may be left without the Euro Cup
The Polish team recently participated in the 2022 World Cup and even qualified from the group, and is now second to last in its qualifying group. And there are three games left until the cycle ends! In September, the Poles defeated the Faroe Islands (2:0), but then lost to Albania (0:2). As a result, the difference between the two leaders in lost points is four and five points. That is, the Poles can even win the remaining three matches, but even in such a situation there is still a good chance of being left without Euro 2024. And this despite the fact that Poland, in the draw for these qualifying groups, came out of the first basket.
As for Moldova, the team now has eight points and third place, but still has games ahead with Poland (away), Albania (home) and the Czech Republic (away).
Group F: the most obvious situation of all
It seems that Austria and Belgium have already assured their participation in Euro 2024
The Swedes lost to Austria 1:3. This effectively ended the fighting in the group. It is very likely that the Belgians and Austrians will go further. They only need to get one win in three games. At the same time, both teams will face Azerbaijan, which occupies last place. On the other hand, the Swedes only need to lose or draw once to lose even their mathematical chances of being in the top two.
Group G: in a month the Serbs will have two matches with direct competitors
Hungary and Serbia are leaders of their group
In September, one of the key matches of this group took place: Hungary beat Serbia on their field. It is true that in a month these same teams will meet again. For Serbs in general, the next window will be decisive: two games and both against direct rivals: Hungary and Montenegro. That is, you can go up to first place or go down to third. For its part, Hungary feels calmer than its rivals because it is in first place and has one game less.
Group H: the Russian coach has the most confusing group
Kazakhstan still has excellent chances of exit
The Kazakhstan national team, led by Magomed Adiev, was left out of the top 2. His team lost to Finland (0:1) and then defeated Northern Ireland (1:0). Now four teams are just one point behind: Denmark, Slovenia, Finland and Kazakhstan. These teams still have many games between them and each of these teams still has a good chance. At the same time, it will be a little more difficult for Slovenia, because they will no longer face San Marino in this cycle.
Adiev does not believe that 12 points in the group is a reason for pride:
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Group I: Belarus has practically lost its chances of reaching Euro 2024
Belarus has practically lost its chances at Euro 2024
The Belarusian team had a good chance of taking second place. In the September matches it was necessary to defeat Andorra and Israel, but we couldn’t beat either of them. Now Belarus’ chances are microscopic (even Kosovo’s are better). It seems that Switzerland, Romania and Israel, which have a calendar of approximately the same complexity, will compete for two tickets to Euro 2024.
Group J: the Portuguese have the best performance of the entire qualifying phase
Portugal advances with confidence towards the final phase of Euro 2024
If the Portuguese reached the 2022 World Cup with difficulty, then they are running uncontrollably towards the 2024 World Cup. The statistics of goals scored and conceded is 24-0. Portugal is the only team eight points away from third place. That is, you are entitled to even two rulings. Although the goal difference is largely due to Liechtenstein and Luxembourg being in the group. As for second place, Slovakia remains three points ahead of Luxembourg after the September matches. Although there is an important nuance: Slovakia has yet to play against the Portuguese, but not Luxembourg.
And this is what is happening with the German team, which is already guaranteed qualification for Euro 2024:
Germany played for the first time after the coach’s resignation. And immediately defeated France!
