The team of national coach Roberto Mancini fell early behind in front of 49,714 spectators by Silvan Widmer, who used a template from Salzburg legionnaire Noah Okafor. Giovanni di Lorenzo equalized (35.). In the 90th minute, Jorginho shot a penalty over the crossbar and missed a preliminary decision in the race for the World Cup fixed ticket.
Almost to the day exactly four years ago, the Italians missed the 2018 World Cup qualification in the play-off against Sweden and plunged an entire country into a serious football crisis. Now a similar tremor threatens: Italy and Switzerland go into the last qualifying game with 15 points each, Italy has two goals better goal difference. A win on Monday in Northern Ireland could not be enough if the Swiss win against the supposedly easier opponent.
Jorginho the tragic figure again
In the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the Swiss were the more dangerous team before the break. This is also thanks to Salzburg striker Okafor, who showed a really strong performance in his starting eleven in the dress of the Confederates. Above all, his speed posed problems for the “Squadra Azzurra” again and again, as well as before the 0: 1, where the 21-year-old then served Silvan Widmer and was able to credit himself with an assist in his second international match.
A goal from the Salzburg striker, who has held nine goals and five assists after 20 competitive games this season, was in the air a few times, but never fell. This was another reason why the home side were able to equalize in the 36th minute through Giovanni di Lorenzo. After the break, both teams only approached the winning goal in the finish.
After Ulisses Garcia fouled Domenico Berardi, there was a slightly controversial penalty for the Italians, but Jorginho (90th) missed it. The midfielder shot clearly over it after he had failed in the “first leg” from the point on Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Almost in return, Andi Zeqiri (93rd) missed the opportunity to win the Swiss away.
England have a World Cup ticket almost in their pocket
While the Italians still have to tremble, Vice European Champions England can practically plan for the World Cup finals in 2022. The “Three Lions” finished Albania 5-0 at London’s Wembley Stadium, keeping Group I pursuers Poland, who won 4-1 in Andorra, three points away. In addition, the leader has the goal difference which is six goals higher and ends up at Underdog San Marino.
As expected, the English left nothing to be desired against Albania. Star striker Harry Kane with a triple pack (18th, 33rd, 45th), Harry Maguire (9th) and Jordan Henderson (28th) scored all five goals before the break. Kane now holds 44 goals in the national team. Against Albania, the Tottenham attacker met with left, right and head, a feat that David Platt had last achieved in 1993 against San Marino in the England jersey. Like the regular participants Denmark and Germany, the English can already plan with the final round.
Denmark conceded their first goal
Poland was just as safe in Andorra, also because striker Ricard Fernandez received the red card in the first minute of the game. Bayern star Robert Lewandowski scored twice (5th, 73rd), and Kamil Jozwiak (11th) and Arkadiusz Milik (45th + 2) also entered the shooting list. The Albanians were left behind by five points, which is why a top two place is fixed.
In Austria’s group F Denmark also won the ninth game with a 3-1 win against the Faroe Islands, the underdog was able to score the leader’s first goal in the current competition. Second place and thus the play-off participation secured Scotland with a 2-0 against Moldova. Nathan Patterson (38th) and Che Adams (65th) made the away win in Chisinau perfect. Moldova’s Vadim Rata failed in the 82nd minute with a penalty from Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
