🇪🇺 Denmark reach Euro 2024; Italy on cusp; Poland set for play-off route | OneFootball

The latest Euro 2024 qualifiers continued on Friday with four countries aiming to book their place at next summer’s tournament.

Here’s what went down.

Italy on cusp of Euro 2024 spot

Scorers: Darmian 17′, Chiesa 41′, 45+2′, Raspadori 81′, El Shaaraway 90+4′; Atanasov 52′, 74′

Italy are on the verge of defending their European crown after a comprehensive 5-2 win over North Macedonia.

Matteo Darmian gave the reigning holders an upper hand when he glanced home from Giacomo Raspadori’s delivery after a corner routine.

The Azzurri extended their lead later in the first half courtesy of Federico Chiesa’s shot outside the box despite Jorginho missing a penalty just moments earlier.

In added time, the Juventus forward doubled his tally with a sublime curling effort to catch out Stole Dimitrievski from inside the area after a surging run.

The visitors struck back early in the first half when Jani Atanasov glanced home a deep cross from Ezgjan Alioski unchallenged.

Atanasov set up a potentially nervy finish by bamboozling Gianluigi Donnarumma with a powerful long-range drive before Raspadori restored the hosts’ lead.

Stephan El Shaarawy added a fifth deep in second-half added time with a low strike from Federico Dimarco’s cutback.

Luciano Spalletti’s side now stand on the cusp of qualification and need a point or better in Monday’s final Group C outing to assure their place.

Denmark book their place with Slovenia win

Scorers: Mæhle 26′, Delaney 54′; Janža 30′

Denmark sealed their place at next summer’s tournament by edging out Slovenia in their Group H qualifier.

Joakim Mæhle edged Kasper Hjulmand’s side into the lead by meeting Jonas Wind’s cross with a low effort.

The Danes’ advantage lasted all of four minutes as Erik Janža struck back for the visitors through a sublime free kick.

But Thomas Delaney put his country back ahead by bringing down Jannik Vestergaard’s flick-on header in the area and drilling home.

Souček ends Poland’s automatic qualification bid

Scorers: Piotrowski 38′; Souček 49′

Poland will miss out on Group E’s remaining qualification spot after they were held by the Czech Republic.

Jakub Piotrowski finally broke the deadlock late in the first half when he slid home after Jindřich Staněk had fumbled a half-chance into his path.

But the Czech’s levelled minutes after the interval as West Ham’s Tomáš Souček slide home a loose ball at the far post.

Business as usual for England against Malta

Scorers: Pepe (OG) 8′, Kane 75′

England maintained their unbeaten qualification record with a routine 2-0 win over Malta.

Phil Foden engineered an early breakthrough for the hosts as a deflection off Enrico Pepe sent the forward’s cross into the net.

Gareth Southgate’s side extended their advantage through Harry Kane rounding off a sublime slick passing move in the closing stages.

Albania seal Group H spot in Moldova draw

Scorers: Baboglo 87′; Cikalleshi (PEN) 25′

Albania’s Euro 2024 place is confirmed despite being held to a late draw by Moldova.

Sokol Cikalleshi broke the deadlock midway through the first half by wrongfooting Dorian Railean from the penalty spot.

But the hosts snatched a point courtesy of Vladislav Baboglo’s strike just three minutes from the end of normal time.

Sylvinho’s side remain in Group E’s top spot despite Poland failing to overcome the Czech Republic in Friday’s other fixture.