Italy qualify for Euro 2020 with 2-0 victory over Greece
Ramos sets record as Spain made to wait
PARIS: Italy became the second team to qualify for Euro 2020 after a 2-0 win over Greece on Saturday, while threetime champions Spain edged closer to the finals despite conceding a stoppage-time equaliser away to Norway.
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho dispatched a second-half penalty as Italy, wearing green kits for just the second time in history, registered a seventh straight win in Group J.
The Azzurri, who failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, added a second in Rome on 78 minutes through a deflected strike from Juventus forward Federico Bernardeschi.
Roberto Mancini’s side joined Belgium in the draw for next year’s finals, where Italy will play their first two group games at the Stadio Olimpico.
“We managed to create a team in a short period of time. It wasn’t easy but you have to thank the players, who have quickly developed an understanding between themselves,” said Mancini, who took over as Italy coach 18 months ago.
Spain dropped their first points in Group F as Joshua King converted a 94th-minute spot-kick to rescue a 1-1 draw for Norway following a foul by goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on Omar Elabdellaoui.
Sergio Ramos broke the Spanish international appearances record as he won his 168th cap in Oslo to overtake Iker Casillas.
The visitors led when Saul Niguez slammed home from 20 yards moments after half-time but Spain were denied a seventh win in a row as King’s equaliser kept Norway in the running.
Norway are fourth in the group, four points adrift of neighbours Sweden with three games to play.
Sebastian Larsson netted two spotkicks as Sweden cruised to a 4-0 rout of Malta to reclaim second place behind Spain. Marcus Danielson broke the deadlock on 11 minutes in Ta’ Qali and home skipper Andrei Agius also scored an own goal.
Romania remain a point behind Sweden following a 3-0 win in the Faroe Islands secured by secondhalf goals from George Puscas, Ionut Mitrita and Claudiu Keseru.
Kasper Schmeichel produced a series of excellent saves as Denmark defeated Switzerland 1-0 to climb level with Ireland in Group D.
Yussuf Poulsen grabbed an 84thminute winner in Copenhagen as the Danes moved up to 12 points alongside group leaders Ireland, who drew 0-0 away to Georgia, while Switzerland are four points off the pace but with a game in hand.
Bosnia and Herzegovina reignited their qualification hopes in Italy’s group with a 4-1 win over secondplaced Finland while Armenia blew the chance to move level with the Finns after a 1-1 draw with Liechtenstein in Vaduz.