🇪🇺 Italy reach Euro 2024; Slovenia, Czech Republic qualify; England held | OneFootball

Four of the final Euro 2024 group qualifiers commenced on Monday with several nations still aiming to book their place at the tournament.

Here’s what went down.

Italy hold on for Euro 2024 defence

Italy will defend their crown at Euro 2024 after coming through a stalemate with Ukraine.

Luciano Spalletti’s side only had to avoid defeat at Leverkusen’s BayArena to seal a coveted Euro 2024 spot.

An uninspiring goalless draw proved enough for the Azzurri to join England in progressing from Group C.

Czech Republic seal their spot against Moldova

Scorers: Douděra 14′, Chorý 72′, Souček 90′

The Czech Republic clinched their place at next summer’s tournament with a comfortable 2-0 win over Moldova.

Tomáš Chorý set the wheels in motion for the hosts by releasing David Douděra for a surging run before slotting the opener past Dorian Railean.

Matters worsened for Moldova as they were reduced to 10 men when Vladyslav Babohlo was dismissed for successive bookings in eight minutes.

Chorý doubled the Czech’s lead with a bullet header from Vasil Kušej’s out-swinging corner in the 72nd minute to assure his country’s qualification spot.

At the end of normal time, Tomáš Souček added a touch of gloss with a rolled finish after the ball broke to him on the edge of the penalty area.

Slovenia edge Kazakhstan to assure progress

Scorers: Šeško (PEN) 41′, Verbič 86′; Orazov 48′

Slovenia did enough to clinch qualification from Group H with a 2-1 win over Kazakhstan.

Both teams had been in contention to reach Euro 2024 but the visitors’ task in Ljubljana required a victory.

The hosts broke the deadlock late in the first half through Benjamin Šeško’s penalty after Yan Vorogovsky had kicked out at Petar Stojanović.

Ramazan Orazov restored parity for Kazakhstan just three minutes with a deft back-heel from Maksim Samorodov’s low, right-sided delivery.

But Benjamin Verbič ensured Matjaž Kek’s side are heading to Germany next summer after a sublime rocket from just inside the penalty area.

England maintain unbeaten run despite scare

Scorers: Bardhi 41′; Atanasov (OG) 59′

England overcame a scare from North Macedonia to round off their qualification campaign with an unbeaten record.

Gareth Southgate’s side found themselves behind late in the first half after a controversial penalty was given against Rico Lewis.

Jordan Pickford saved Enis Bardhi’s initial spot kick but could not prevent the hosts’ captain from bundling home the rebound.

VAR put paid to a potential leveller for the Three Lions shortly after the interval as Jack Grealish was adjudged to be offside.

But they soon equalised through Harry Kane’s a deft header deflecting off Jani Atanasov within barely a minute of his introduction.

Northern Ireland produce shock win over Denmark

Scorers: Price 60′, Charles 82′

Northern Ireland ensured their dismal qualification campaign ended on a high with a shock win over Denmark.

Kasper Hjulmand’s side had already booked their place at Euro 2024 prior to the Group H dead-rubber at Windsor Park.

But they were undone on the hour mark when Shea Charles teed up Isaac Price to squeeze a first-time shot past Kasper Schmeichel.

A second for the Green and White Army followed on 82 minutes as Dion Charles met Conor McMenamin’s cross to the far post with a sliding finish.