Holders Italy secure Euro 2024 place alongside Czech Republic and Slovenia
21st November 2023
The Italians finished behind England in Group C to book their spot in the tourney.

- Italy and Ukraine finished level on 14 points behind England in Group C, but Italy have the better head-to-head record having won 2-1 in Milan in September.
- Ukraine must therefore negotiate the play-offs if they are to return to Germany for the tournament next June.
- Slovenia will appear at the Euro for the first time since 2000 after their 2-1 win at home to Kazakhstan in Ljubljana clinched second place behind Denmark in Group H.
Reigning champions Italy secured their ticket for Euro 2024
on Monday after holding on for a nervy goalless draw against Ukraine in their
final qualifier, while the Czech Republic and Slovenia also clinched places at
next year's finals.
Italy only needed the draw in the game played in Leverkusen,
Germany, in order to qualify as a defeat against their direct rivals in Group C
would have left their fate to be decided in play-offs next March.
That was a scenario they desperately wanted to avoid
following the trauma of failing to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups
after losing in play-offs, either side of winning the last European
Championship in 2021.
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The high stakes made it a tense occasion and Italy
goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to produce a firm hand low down to keep out
an early Georgiy Sudakov strike.
However, Luciano Spalletti's side threatened at the other
end with Ukraine 'keeper Anatoliy Trubin saving from Nicolo Barella and racing
out to deny Davide Frattesi before the half-hour mark.
Donnarumma blocked a Mykhailo Mudryk attempt in the 65th
minute and there was a flashpoint in stoppage time when the Ukraine winger went
down in the Italy box under a Bryan Cristante challenge, but no penalty was
given.
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The two nations finish level on 14 points behind England in
Group C, but Italy have the better head-to-head record having won 2-1 in Milan
in September.
"We are delighted. After all the difficulties we have
had, we will be in Germany and we will be going there as reigning champions and
going there to win," Donnarumma told broadcaster Rai 1.
Ukraine must therefore negotiate the play-offs if they are to return to Germany for the tournament next June.
Asked about the late penalty call, Ukraine coach Serhiy
Rebrov told the post-match press conference: "From my point of view that
was a penalty, but again I was not there and it's only about my emotions."
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Elsewhere, England had already qualified before their trip
to Skopje to play North Macedonia, when they needed a second-half own goal to
earn a 1-1 draw and finish their campaign undefeated.
Enis Bardhi opened the scoring for North Macedonia four
minutes before half-time, following up to net after his penalty was saved by
Jordan Pickford.
The spot-kick was given after a VAR check showed that
Manchester City's Rico Lewis, on his debut, had caught Bojan Miovski in the
area.
England drew level just before the hour mark, and moments
after Harry Kane was sent on from the bench, as Jani Atanasov diverted a Phil
Foden corner into his own net.
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The Czech Republic only needed a draw at home to Moldova in
Olomouc to secure their place at an eighth consecutive Euro finals, and the
outcome was never in doubt as they eased to a 3-0 victory.
David Doudera swept in the opener and Moldova had Vladislav
Baboglo sent off early in the second half before late goals by Tomas Chory and
captain Tomas Soucek secured victory.
They finish second in Group E behind Albania - who drew 0-0
with the Faroe Islands on Monday - but their evening was overshadowed by coach
Jaroslav Silhavy announcing his resignation immediately after the game.
"Even though we are happy now, we had already decided
before the game not to continue," the 62-year-old coach told Czech
television.
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His departure comes after three players, including West Ham
United defender Vladimir Coufal, were sent home from the squad for having spent
Saturday night at a nightclub.
Slovenia will appear at the Euro for the first time since
2000 after their 2-1 win at home to Kazakhstan in Ljubljana clinched second
place behind Denmark in Group H.
Benjamin Verbic netted Slovenia's late winner after Ramazan
Orazov had netted for Kazakhstan to cancel out Benjamin Sesko's penalty opener.
Kazakhstan would have qualified with a win but will instead
now go into the play-offs as their hopes of appearing at first major tournament
remain alive.
Denmark lost 2-0 in Northern Ireland, with Isaac Price and
Dion Charles scoring, while Finland - who will be in the play-offs - won 2-1
away to minnows San Marino.
© Agence France-Presse