Scandinavians held as Italy, Greece and Swiss win big
Kylian Mbappe scored
a landmark goal amid vital wins for the likes of Czechia, Greece, Italy and Switzerland on a busy night of qualifying action in Europe.
Greece and Switzerland made an impressive start to FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifying, while Italy began a new era in positive fashion and Czechia maintained their advantage in Group L.
Elsewhere, there was frustration for Sweden and Demark, with both held at home, while Kylian Mbappe equalled a Bleus legend as France clinched a vital 2-0 win away to Ukraine.
Read on for a full rundown of the UEFA action on Friday 5 September.
Slovenia goals: Sandi Lovric (46), Zan Vipotnik (90) Sweden goals: Anthony Elanga (18), Yasin Ayari (71)
Slovenia struck a dramatic late equaliser to snatch a point against Sweden in this Group B opener.
Anthony Elanga opened the scoring in some style. The Newcastle United man played a slick give-and-go with Yasin Ayari before tricking his way into space and slotting in. Slovenia pulled level soon after the half-time interval, with Sandi Lovric’s strike from outside the area squirming through the hands of Robin Olsen.
The Swedes regained their advantage when Viktor Gyokeres laid the ball off for Ayari to fire home. That looked like it was going to be the winner until Zan Vipotnik got on the end of a Benjamin Sesko flick-on and blasted a shot in off the post.
Switzerland goals: Manuel Akanji (22), Breel Embolo (25, 45), Silvan Widmer (39)
Switzerland kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a comprehensive home win over Kosovo.
Manuel Akanji opened the scoring when he met Ruben Vargas’ corner with a towering header. Breel Embolo soon made it 2-0, hammering a close-range drive beyond Kosovo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric. Defender Silvan Widmer then got in on the act with a neat first-time finish. Switzerland were relentless and Embolo’s impudent backheel made it four before half-time.
Murat Yakin’s team eased off in the second half, with Monday’s match against Slovenia perhaps on their minds.
TEAMS |
Points |
|---|---|
Switzerland |
3 |
Sweden |
1 |
Slovenia |
1 |
Kosovo |
0 |
Croatia goal: Andrej Kramaric (31) Croatia maintained their 100 per cent record after Andrej Kramaric's first-half header secured a close but comfortable victory over the Faroe Islands. Zlatko Dalic's men remain three points behind leaders Czechia but have two games in hand over their rivals.
The home side almost took a shock lead in the fifth minute after Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic blocked an excellent chance from Hanus Sorensen. But Croatia quickly piled on the pressure and finally found the breakthrough just after the half-hour mark thanks to an opportunistic diving header from Kramaric after clever work down the right wing.
Team | Points |
|---|---|
Czechia | 12 |
Croatia | 9 |
Montenegro | 6 |
Faroe Islands | 3 |
Gibraltar | 0 |