Netherlands end major tournament exile
PARIS: The Netherlands, Germany and World Cup finalists Croatia expanded a list of big hitters to qualify for Euro 2020 on Saturday as the trio booked its places at next summer’s finals.
Austria also made it through to the multi-host tournament, which kicks off in Rome on June 12, with 16 sides now ensured of a spot at the 24-team event and only four places remaining from the main qualifying route. They join other big names such as world champions France, Spain, Italy and England, with European champions Portugal one win away from qualification.
Ronald Koeman’s resurgent Dutch needed a point to qualify for their first major tournament since coming third at the 2014 World Cup and got what they needed in a scrappy goalless draw with Northern Ireland in Belfast. “It means a lot for us as players. Hopefully it means so much to the Dutch people,” Liverpool defender Van Dijk said.
GERMANY QUALIFY
The draw allowed fierce rivals Germany to move top in the group as Toni Kroos hit a brace in a simple 4-0 win over Belarus in Monchengladbach which saw them qualify for the Euros for the 13th time in a row.
A deft back-heeled goal from defender Matthias Ginter just before the break and impressive finishing by Leon Goretzka and Kroos gave the Germans a comfortable three-goal lead early in the second half. Captain Manuel Neuer produced a superb save to keep out Belarus striker Igor Stasevich’s penalty before Kroos dribbled through the defence to claim his second goal. “Overall we did well, but at the moment I don’t include us among the favourites for the European title,” said Kroos.
CROATIA SEAL SPOT Croatia survived a scare to secure their place in the Euros after coming from behind beat Slovakia 3-1 in Rijeka. The World Cup runners-up needed just a point to ensure qualification from Group E, and after conceding a first half goal, rallied to secure all three points.
RONALDO TOUCHES 99 LUXEMBOURG: Cristiano Ronaldo took his career tally to 99 international goals on Sunday as Portugal qualified for the 2020 European Championship with a 2-0 win against Luxembourg.
The Juventus star tapped in a shot by teammate Diogo Jota that was just inches from going over the goal-line in the 86th minute, leaving Ronaldo one strike from the 100-goal mark.
Bruno Fernandes got Portugal’s first goal against the flow of play in the 39th when he scored from a long pass by Bruno Silva.
Portugal advanced to Euro 2020 in second place in Group B. Ukraine had already gone through as the group winner.