Swiss and Danes lock in Euros
SWITZERLAND and Denmark are the latest nations to secure their spots at Euro 2020 with 19 teams now qualified.
The Swiss won 6-1 at Gibraltar to secure top spot in Group D, ahead of the Danes who drew 1-1 in Ireland.
Cedric Itten scored twice and Ruben Vargas, Christian Fassnacht, Loris Benito and Granit Xhaka were also on target as the Swiss dominated their hosts.
A 73rd-minute Martin Braithwaite goal set 1992 European champion Denmark on its way way to celebrating qualification in Dublin before Matt Doherty levelled with five minutes remaining.
Ireland goes into the playoffs for the third successive major tournament.
“It’s disappointing, I thought we were the better team and one slip has cost us,” Ireland captain Shane Duffy told Sky Sports.
“There is no blame in this team, we win and lose together. We pick ourselves up and we go again.”
The 20th and last of the direct qualifiers for the 24-team tournament was decided overnight with Wales, Hungary and Slovakia still in contention. Qualification was no longer at stake in Monday’s other group action, in which Italy and Spain won big.
Group J leader Italy achieved its biggest win since 1948 when it thrashed Armenia 9-1 in Palermo to finish with a perfect qualifying campaign. Ciro Immobile, Nicolo Zaniolo and Nicolo Barella all scored twice, and Alessio Romagnoli, a Jorginho penalty and first goals from debutants Riccardo Orsolini and Federico Chiesa completed the rout, with Edgar Babayan scoring a consolation for the visitors.
“I think we have the basis to become a great team for many years,” coach Roberto Mancini said.
Greece accounted for the already qualified Finland 2-1 while Bosnia and Herzegovina, which won 3-0 at Liechtenstein, will seek progress in the March playoffs — a chance it secured by winning its Nations League group last year.
In Group F, Spain trounced Romania 5-0 in Madrid with a brace from Gerard Moreno and goals from Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Oyarzabal and an own goal from Adrian Rus to be assured of a top-seed place in the draw for next summer’s tournament.