France, Belgium, and Portugal book their tickets to Euro 2024

The official confirmation for the first lot of Euro 2024 qualified teams is out. After another week of international football action, France, Belgium, and Portugal have secured their slots for Germany 2024. 

Both Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo brought out standout performances for their respective sides, Franx and Portgual, to qualify with a perfect record. 

Both France and Portugal remain unbeaten in their group. 

The deciding game in the French group came down to the one involving France and the Netherlands in Amsterdam. 

But the two-goal brace from Mbappe, with one long-range strike, was all that it took to bring in a win. The Netherlands-France clash was one of the highly anticipated encounters in the qualifiers, with tickets from ticket resellers in huge demand. 

Mbappe moves to 41 international goals with the two goals, equaling Michel Platini’s record. 

This achievement was awe-inspiring, given Mbappé’s recent struggles with Paris Saint-Germain. France coach Didier Descamps expressed confidence in the young star’s abilities.

Ronaldo, who’s gotten his rhythm back after the World Cup, scored twice to extend his international goal tally to 125 in 202 appearances, helping Portugal secure a 3-2 win against Slovakia. 

The two goals included a crucial penalty that helped extend Portugal’s win. 

Belgium also clinched a berth in the tournament, highlighting the excellence of these European powerhouses. The Belgium side, who had a disastrous outing in the FIFA World Cup 2022, is set to change perceptions at the Euros next year. 

Leading the side in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne was Romelu Lukaku, who’s been impressive with the national side and got his team’s advancement by defeating Austria 3-2. 

Dodi Lukébakio contributed with two goals for Belgium, and they managed to hold on despite being reduced to 10 men following a red card to midfielder Amadou Onana.

It was good news for the Belgian fans looking to buy tickets for Euro 2024 from ticket resellers since they are certain to make the reservations. 

Belgium leads the group with 16 points from six games, while Austria sits three points behind after their first loss in the qualifying campaign. 

Sweden, who were not in action on Friday, remain in third place with six points from five games and still have a slim chance of overtaking Austria in the group standings.

Scotland’s EURO Qualification is still pending 

For Scotland, it was a disappointment in the international break as the side was unfortunate not to get through after VAR ruled the goal in their favor. 

The goal from Scott McTominay, which was from a free kick, was overruled by the VAR team, leading to debate and confusion. 

It was a series of questions afterward in the Scotland vs Spain clash where the Scottish player Jack Hendry was offside or interfered with play when the free kick was taken. 

The free kick would’ve put Scotland ahead 1-0, but to the disappointment of the Scottish fans who bought tickets from ticket resellers, the team was thrashed 2-0 by Spain. 

This decision caused frustration and disappointment for Scotland’s players and head coach Steve Clarke. The impact of the disallowed goal was significant, as it could have been a game-changer in their quest for qualification. 

The giant screens inside Seville’s Estadia de La Cartuja flashed “VAR Check in Progress,” it was disappointment hovering around the Scottish camp. The side’s hopes got bundled just minutes away from qualifying for the European Championship. 

“That changes the whole night,” head coach Steve Clarke told BBC Scotland.

Clarke’s side, who needed a point to reach Germany next year, had more than a bit of luck in a dogged defensive display during a first half in which captain Andy Robertson departed through injury.

The verdict from the VAR showed that Jack Hendry was slightly offside, and the VAR interpreted that he was obstructing the goalkeeper. 

For Scotland and their loyal fans with tickets front the ticket resellers, it is a waiting game until the next international break to secure their qualification. 

Halaand keeps Norway Euro Hopes Alive 

Erling Haaland showcased his skill and scoring talent with two for Norway as they secured a 4-0 win against Cyprus in a bid to qualify for Euro 2024. 

With his sharp playing, the Manchester City striker was at his usual to propel the side to a much-needed win. Alexander Sorloth netted the first, and Fredrik Aursnes brought a late fourth to complete a perfect matchday. 

Albania took control of Group E with a convincing 3-0 victory over a 10-man Czech Republic. Jasir Asani opened the scoring within 10 minutes, and the Czechs were left a player short before half-time when Mojmir Chytil was shown a red card. 

Albania’s Taulant Seferi added two more goals in the second half. Poland claimed the second spot in the group after a 2-0 win against the Faroe Islands. 

Sebastian Szymanski struck early, and the Faroes’ Horour Askham saw a red card before Adam Buksa netted a second.

For Turkey, it was another comfortable win, with the side winning 1-0 against Croatia, thanks to a goal from Baris Alper Yilmaz. 

Latvia claimed their first points in the group with a 2-0 victory over Armenia.

In group I, Belarus and Romania played out a goalless draw, while Kosovo defeated Andorra with a convincing 3-0 victory.

Republic of Ireland – Out

It was a disappointment for the Republic of Ireland fans, who were regular purchasers of tickets from ticket resellers, as their team’s hopes to qualify were officially over as they faced a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Greece. 

Two first-half goals from Giorgos Giakoumakis and Giorgos Masouras lifted Greece into second place in Group B, ahead of the Netherlands.

Evan Ferguson’s return, the teenage striker, couldn’t lift Ireland, who have won only one of their six matches and sit fourth in the five-team group. 

They currently stand 15 points behind France, the group leaders, and nine points behind Greece, who are in second place. 

Ireland started strongly, with William Smallbone testing Odysseas Vlachodimos and Ferguson hitting the post, but Greece gradually asserted control. Giakoumakis scored a superb header from Kostas Tsimikas’ dipping cross, and Masouras added a second just before half-time, capitalizing on a counter-attack after Chiedozie Ogbene lost possession.

Despite Stephen Kenny’s encouragement for his players to believe in their qualification chances, Ireland’s dismal campaign continued in front of a disappointed home crowd.