Boyata and Belgium qualify for the Euros

The ‘Red Devils’ sealed their Euro 2020 spot with a 9-0 win over San Marino. Pekarik and Duda picked up a point with Slovakia against Wales.

Berlin – Dedryck Boyata’s Belgium became the first side to book their place at Euro 2020 after thumping San Marino 9-0 on Thursday evening (10/10). The goals in Brussels were scored by Lukaku (2), Chadli, Alderweireld, Tielemans, Benteke, Verschaeren and Castagne, with the visitors also scoring an own goal. Boyata didn’t come on to pick up what would have been his 17th cap. Roberto Martinez’s side lead Group I with 21 points from seven games and a remarkable goal difference of 28:1. Their next game takes place on Sunday in Kazahkstan (13/10, 20:45 CEST).

Slovakia managed to keep hold of second place in Group E, which would be good enough for them to qualify for the tournament, although they failed to increase their lead over their direct opponents. Peter Pekarik and Ondrej Duda’s nation drew 1-1 with Wales last night. Kieffer Moore (25’) gave the visitors an early lead before Juraj Kucka equalised after Pekarik’s cross was diverted to him. Duda failed to come off the bench. Pavel Hapal’s side have ten points from their first six games, sitting behind Croatia (13 points) and ahead of Hungary (9) and Wales (7, played one game fewer). Slovakia will face Paraguay in a friendly on Sunday (13/10, 20:45 CEST).

Tough games against England and Spain

Vladimir Darida and the Czech Republic will take on England on Friday evening in Prague (11/10, 20:45 CEST). A defeat against the group leaders (12 points) would see the Czechs (9 points) allow Kosovo (8 points) to overtake them when they Montenegro. They will be hoping that isn’t the case, although their subsequent fixture is only a friendly against Northern Ireland on Monday (14/10, 20:45 CEST).

Rune Jarstein’s Norway also have an extremely tough game on their hands. They will take Spain in Group F on Saturday (12/10, 20:45), before travelling to face Romania on Tuesday (15/10, 20:45 CEST). Norway currently sit in fourth place with nine points, behind Romania (10 points), Sweden (11 points) and Spain (18 points). Hertha’s keeper commented: “I’m looking forward to these games. We have to win in order to make the Euros.”

Mathew Leckie was part of the Australia side that won 5-0 on Thursday in a World Cup qualifier against Nepal. The ‘Socceroos’ next game is on Tuesday against Taiwan (15/10, 13:40 CEST). Niklas Stark, who was told by national coach Joachim Löw that he would start the game, eventually missed out against Argentina due to a stomach bug. Germany drew 2-2 in Dortmund. Stark will hopefully be fit to make his debut on Sunday (13/10, 20:45 CEST) against Estonia in a Euro qualifier.

Youngsters on the scoresheet

Lazar Samardzic made his debut for Germany U19s, scoring and assisting once in a 3-0 win over Andorra. Daishawn Redan bagged a brace for Netherlands U19s as they defeated Moldova 5-0. The Dutch will face Latvia on Friday (11/10, 17:00 CEST) and then Israel on Monday (14/10, 13:00 CEST). The Germans next two fixtures against Belarus (12/10, 13:00 CEST) and Scotland (15/10, 20:05 CEST).