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00:30After 375 days and more than 200 matches, the final quartet of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup were about
00:38to be settled.
00:40Italy travelled to Bosnia and Herzegovina, looking to consign their recent qualification woes to the history books.
00:47Could Kosovo reach a first ever major finals?
00:50Turkey are stood in their way.
00:52And which pair from Sweden, Poland, Czechia or Denmark would take their place among the world's elite this summer?
01:03We begin with a momentous playoff final in Zenitse.
01:07Bosnia and Herzegovina needed to make home advantage count against the might of Italy.
01:13Fresh in the memory of the Azzurri, painful failures at this stage in 2018 and 2022.
01:19For Gennaro Gattuso and the four-time world champions, a return to football's showpiece event felt long overdue.
01:27The Bosnians had shown their resolve against Wales to make it this far, with a second appearance in the finals
01:33the prize, if they could be the latest to shock the Italians.
01:39Bosnia and Herzegovina have beaten Italy just once in six previous attempts.
01:44A friendly almost 30 years ago.
01:47The stakes were considerably higher this time.
01:50Your commentator is Adam Somerton.
01:55And we are underway on such a huge night.
01:58Both will be desperate to start well.
02:02Covering here is Kolasinac.
02:06Oh, that's a poor kick out.
02:08And they're in trouble here.
02:09It's Moyes-Kenn!
02:11Brilliant finish!
02:13How well did he take that?
02:15But it all came from the error.
02:17From Vasily.
02:19And that was certainly the finish of a striker at the peak of their powers.
02:25Didn't give it a second's thought, did he?
02:28Vasily will have nightmares about that moment.
02:31Quality, though, from Moyes-Kenn.
02:36Mujaremovic unmarked.
02:38In his direction.
02:41Dzeko beaten in the air.
02:43Played wide by Basic.
02:45Another chance to cross.
02:47And the header is on target.
02:49From Katic.
02:50But well saved by Donnarumma.
02:51Just didn't have the required power to get it past the Italian goalkeeper.
03:01Mujaremovic racing to get to it.
03:04And brought down by Bastoni.
03:07And it's a red card.
03:11Bastoni's off.
03:13Italy are down to ten.
03:18And you just only had to look at his face there.
03:22Bastoni.
03:22He knew immediately what was coming.
03:31Five in the box for the Bosnians.
03:33Skatic with the header.
03:36And Donnarumma was down quickly.
03:38And needed to be.
03:40I suspect there will be many more for Italy to have to deal with in what remains of this game.
03:50And he's got the pace there.
03:56And he's got the pace to get away here.
03:58It's Ken one on one.
04:00Oh, he couldn't hit the target.
04:02What a chance to double their lead.
04:05Glorious opportunity.
04:06And his pace made it.
04:08He just couldn't catch up with him.
04:15Tahirovich.
04:20Ali Begovic.
04:22Good ball.
04:23And saved by Donnarumma.
04:25It worked the opportunity for the shot well there.
04:28Tahirovich denied by Donnarumma.
04:31Good work by Ali Begovic.
04:36Can they keep up this defensive effort here?
04:40Italy.
04:41So far so good for them in this second half.
04:43Esposito.
04:44Gets the pass away.
04:45Now Palestra.
04:46With Tonali waiting in the box.
04:48Esposito asking for it.
04:49And there was the pass.
04:51It's another chance that comes the way of Italy.
04:55Fresh on Esposito.
04:57He'll be disappointed he's not at least hit the target there.
05:02Gatic.
05:04Dedic.
05:06Di Marko in front of him.
05:08Dedic with the cross.
05:09Oh, it's been squeezed in.
05:14Tabakovic was on the line.
05:16And he's come off the bench.
05:19To get the equalizer.
05:21As we head towards the final ten minutes here.
05:25Italy complain.
05:27But the Bosnians are on terms.
05:33Tahirovich beat Tonali to it.
05:36Thought the shot was on there.
05:39Ali Begovic goes down.
05:41Told to get back to his feet.
05:43Another cross goes in there.
05:44And the head is on target.
05:46And saved by Donnarumma.
05:48How quickly Donnarumma got down.
05:54Spinazzola.
05:56Tonali could outball that.
06:00That's a fantastic pass as well.
06:03And Palestra got himself in a great position.
06:06Mukhermovic slid in.
06:09Now, Italy are asking the question here.
06:11The referee, Clement Turpan,
06:14shows the yellow card.
06:17Italy have got a free kick.
06:19In a good position.
06:22Tonali for Italy.
06:25Wall did its job.
06:28Spinazzola.
06:32Palestra.
06:32A player who burst through and was caught by Mukhermovic.
06:37Palestra goes on the outside.
06:39Still numbers in there.
06:40And Esposito saved.
06:42Kept out by Vassilic.
06:45It's a great play all round there.
06:47Wonderful cross.
06:49And Esposito had his header on target.
06:52Superb goalkeeping.
06:58Play to Dedic.
07:02Tahirovich wanted it!
07:04And then put it wide.
07:06He was begging for the ball.
07:08Couldn't hit the target.
07:10And this playoff final will be decided by penalty kicks.
07:16Tahirovich, formerly of Roma,
07:18to take the first up against the giant figure of Donnarumma.
07:23Tahirovich scores.
07:26The perfect start for the Bosnians.
07:31スnick's throw.
07:32Piel Esposito.
07:35Blazes it over.
07:37Advantage.
07:38Bosnia-Herzegovina.
07:40Just got right underneath it.
07:41Real focus in the eyes of Tobacovic, right-footed, scores, another step closer.
07:58Tonali for Italy, good penalty, just what they needed, they're on the board.
08:06Ali Begovic, it's another fine penalty, and they maintain their 100% record in this shootout.
08:18Cristante for Italy, oh, it's off the bar, it's all going wrong for Italy, they're right on the brink of
08:26their worst nightmare.
08:29This, to win it, to send Bosnia and Herzegovina to the World Cup.
08:38Barak Tanovic, scores! Bosnia, Herzegovina, will play at the World Cup.
08:47Italy, beaten, their worst nightmares have come true.
08:55In Pristina, history beckoned for the hosts, as a first-ever World Cup Finals appearance was within reach for Kosovo.
09:02After an eye-catching qualifying campaign, an astonishing semi-final victory in Slovakia.
09:09Just one more step remained, but standing in their way were Turkey.
09:13No World Cup appearance for them, since finishing third in 2002, could they end their weight while extending Kosovo's?
09:26Only a decade after being officially recognized by FIFA and UEFA, Kosovo were a game away from qualifying for a
09:33World Cup.
09:34Your commentator is Dave Farrar.
09:39Kosovo, 90 minutes away from the World Cup.
09:43Many never believed they'd hear that sentence.
09:46Turkey are looking to get back to the big stage.
09:51And here's Kenan Yildiz looking for that little bit of space and finding it, but cleared away.
09:56Chaladolu!
09:59Blasted in and won by Kenan Yildiz.
10:01It deflected and it might have gone anywhere, but it's behind for a corner.
10:06It's behind for a corner.
10:07Turkey are a whisker away in the early stages.
10:10Two good blocks there.
10:12Then that little touch of hesitancy.
10:21Kenan Yildiz.
10:24Order couldn't cook, shoot.
10:29Wants to let fly and it fizzes just wide.
10:36It's a really good hit this, seven in his last 11.
10:41You can see why the technical excellence of the Besiktas man.
10:52It's a strong challenge, but referees allowed things to continue off the crossbar and cleared away.
11:02Urgurchen Chakir got a touch there, it's a wonderful save.
11:08This was Aslany's effort, terrific save.
11:11Boricci will be disappointed.
11:13He didn't finish the follow-up, but the closest we've come.
11:24Michael Oliver says it's a fair challenge.
11:29Long for Kenan Yildiz.
11:31Great burst of acceleration.
11:33Hurdles the challenge.
11:35And they're not able to force it home.
11:39Chalanolu now to let fly.
11:43I tell you what, there's a moment there.
11:45If Kenan Yildiz had gone down, I think he would have won a penalty.
11:49Akhtar Koglu couldn't control.
11:57Who can hold their nerve?
11:59Who can create that moment?
12:05Orkan Kukshu for Kenan Yildiz option centrally here.
12:09Orkan Kukshu!
12:11Now, did Akhtar Koglu touch it in?
12:17He's off celebrating.
12:19Turkya lead.
12:21The Kosovans wonder about offside.
12:24I think he's going in anyway.
12:26And Akhtar Koglu steals in to touch it home.
12:30Was he in an offside position here?
12:33Either way, it's a massive moment.
12:35Let's take a look.
12:37And he does surely graze it with his studs, doesn't he?
12:42Goal stands.
12:45Turkya lead.
12:54Here's Chalanolu.
13:04Kenan Yildiz checks inside, and Muric makes the save.
13:13They wanted him to come to the party, and he did.
13:17Evolved in the goal, but that was the effort saved by Muric.
13:20Muric.
13:23They've got ten minutes here, Kosovo.
13:25They've got to score.
13:27Or else Turkya are going to the World Cup.
13:29It is as simple as that.
13:33We just need one moment.
13:36It's given away here.
13:38It's driven hard and just wide by Mousselia.
13:42Was that the chance?
13:44Yes.
13:46It opened up in front of him.
13:49He just couldn't pick out the bottom corner.
13:52Sloppy by Baris Alper Yilmaz.
13:55The goalkeeper was struggling to get across.
13:58It's not far away, this angle tells us.
14:11Lovely feet from Zhigrova. There's that touch of genius.
14:17There's the break for Eslani now!
14:21Saved by Ogochacek here.
14:24They're getting closer.
14:27They're still in this. There's the header back across.
14:32They wondered about a handball.
14:38Oh, it's given away again by Turkya.
14:41But now we reach the sixth, El Mali.
14:47Turkya have done it.
14:51They've come to Pristina.
14:54And they've broken Kosovo hearts.
14:59And it's Turkya who make it through to the big show in the summer.
15:05It finishes.
15:08Kosovo 0, Turkya 1.
15:13In nine previous meetings, Slovakia had never beaten Romania.
15:16But they took the lead after just seven minutes in Bratislava.
15:20Thanks to an own goal from Daniel Birligia.
15:24The Romania striker didn't know too much about it.
15:31And even more confusion in the visitors' box early in the second half led to goal number two.
15:36Substitute keeper Marian Ioani made a mess of playing out from the back.
15:39Slovakia's David Strelitz gratefully gobbled up the opportunity.
15:45With ten minutes to go, Patrick Hrasovski came close to adding a third.
15:50But two was enough for a comfortable victory.
15:56Wales wanted to take the first steps to recovery from the heartbreak of their penalty shootout defeat against Bosnia and
16:02Herzegovina.
16:04Northern Ireland showed no sympathy.
16:05Jamie Donnelly at the second attempt put Michael O'Neill's men in front in Cardiff.
16:10They'd fallen short in a spirited bid to frustrate Italy in the play-off semi-finals.
16:15And found the Welsh too hot to handle at the start of the second half, when David Brooks found Sauber
16:20-Thomas.
16:22All square, and in terms of chances there wasn't much between the sides.
16:27The closest either came to a decisive goal was a firm header from Owen Toll that tested Carl Darlow's reflexes.
16:34A terrific save to keep it 1-1 through to the finish.
16:38Following an uninspiring stalemate with Uruguay last time out, England were looking to give the Wembley crowd a little more
16:45to cheer.
16:46But after starting and finishing a sweeping move, Karu Mitoma ensured it was the Japanese contingent who were off their
16:53seats midway through the first half.
16:56England were reeling from that early blow. As heads cleared, Elliot Anderson attempted to steady things.
17:03Seeking a first ever victory over England's senior men's team, Japan almost extended their lead via Ayasa Ueda.
17:10But with this fifth victory in a row, Japan's World Cup build-up is bubbling along nicely.
17:17Harry Maguire saw a second half-header blocked, but England failed to find the net for the first time in
17:2222 matches.
17:24In Stuttgart, Germany faced Ghana in a friendly.
17:27The hosts had powered through their qualification campaign for this summer's World Cup.
17:32And coach Julian Nagelsmann had suggested this March sport would be similar to the tournament selection.
17:37They were awarded a penalty after Angelo Stiller's cross hit Jonas Ojeti's arm.
17:43Kai Havert, cool and clinical from the spot.
17:46The Black Stars had won just eight of their 21 games under coach Otto Addo, failing to qualify for the
17:532025 Africa Cup of Nations.
17:56But they are preparing for their fifth World Cup, and Abdul Futaru levelled the scores here.
18:02Nagelsmann sent on Denis Undav, the leading German scorer in the Bundesliga this season, and his winner condemned Ghana to
18:10a fourth successive defeat.
18:12Addo was relieved of his duties after the game, so the Black Stars will be seeking a new guiding light
18:17for this summer.
18:19Still to come, could Sweden complete a remarkable turnaround in form to see off Poland?
18:39The Park B playoff final saw Sweden host Poland in Solna.
18:43Astonishingly, the Swedes had failed to win a single game in World Cup qualifying, but were making the most of
18:49the reprieve of a playoff shot, earned via the Nations League.
18:52After Viktor Jorkovic scored a hat-trick in the semis, they were one win away from this summer's finals.
18:58Poland were no pushovers though.
19:00They had appeared in the last two World Cups, and new 2026 might be the last chance for their talisman,
19:06Robert Lewandowski.
19:08So for the second time in four years, Sweden and Poland faced off for a place in the finals.
19:13The polls prevailed in 2022, could the Swedes take revenge?
19:17Chris Wise watched this one.
19:21The nerves have now been activated for most inside the stadium.
19:25Winner takes it all this evening, Ayari.
19:28Lange!
19:30It's a gorgeous Sweden goal!
19:33A special moment in Solna, delivered by Anthony Alanga.
19:39And for the first time, the World Cup very much in touching distance for Sweden.
19:45What a brilliant piece of quality this is.
19:48The layoff from Ayari, and the hits from Alanga, which is as good as it gets.
19:58And on a night of such high importance, a goal of the highest order.
20:09Grabara grabbing at thin air, no goalkeeper would have got close to that.
20:14Sweden lay the first punch of the night then.
20:19Starveld, I'm not sure he wanted it off him from Nortveld like that.
20:23It was a straight pass, and it has led to a problem for Sweden.
20:26Lewandowski, this is Cash.
20:28That's Sviderski!
20:30That's a brilliant save, Nortveld.
20:32How quickly he's reacted to that.
20:3636 years old, Nortveld, he got down like a 22-year-old there.
20:41I don't think there's any doubt that Sviderski's shot was heading towards the bottom corner.
20:47Nearly had our second goal of great class tonight.
20:55Poland finding better passages of play now.
21:00Zerski finding the angle, finding a way to goal!
21:05And Poland pull themselves level!
21:10Couldn't play his part in the semi-final, Nikola Zerski.
21:15He's certainly playing his part in this playoff final tonight.
21:20The bounce of the ball, perhaps deceiving Nortveld in the Sweden goal.
21:25Who, like everything tonight, has got hands on it, but this time not firm enough hands.
21:31And given the save that he made not too long ago from Karol Sviderski,
21:36I think he'll be disappointed he's been beaten by that one, Christopher Nortveld.
21:43Well, there's a small deflection on it as well of Karlström, which perhaps wasn't visible initially.
21:49Still his goal. Still a massive goal for Poland.
21:57Kednarek, who is having to deal with Sweden's front man.
22:04Langer's giving chase and he might get there, you know.
22:08It's going to be a free kick.
22:11The foul was by Nikola Zerski.
22:15He could have perhaps seen something that wasn't appreciated.
22:21And Sweden with a chance to strike another potentially decisive blow before half-time.
22:29Benjamin Negrin on the free kick.
22:31Grabara couldn't get there.
22:33And Sweden do lead again.
22:35Gustav Lagerbielka.
22:39A crucial goal right before half-time.
22:44And Sweden back on the brink of the promised land again.
22:49Much uncertainty in the Polish back line.
22:52Only a second ever goal for his national team for Gustav Lagerbielka.
23:00What is noticeable is that Poland's midfield are beginning to run this game now.
23:06Zerski.
23:08Another beautiful ball.
23:10Cash.
23:12And it's come all the way through.
23:13Zerski scores.
23:17Poland fight back again in Solna.
23:22Karol Sviderski could not miss.
23:25And there is, I'm pretty sure, no intention at all from Nikola Zalewski to try and locate Sviderski.
23:34He's going for goal here.
23:36Or is he?
23:38Maybe he does.
23:38Maybe he does just catch Sviderski's eye line.
23:43Sweden two.
23:45Poland two.
23:46And this is turning into a rip-roaring playoff final.
23:55But by Shemanski and Kent off the line from Lindelof.
23:59Back in by Lewandowski.
24:02Critical defending from Viktor Lindelof.
24:05Lindelof knee, as it were.
24:08Poland all of a sudden under the pump here.
24:11Svensson.
24:13Lager Bielke.
24:16Lundgren, one of the Sweden substitutes.
24:19Past the tied Kivior.
24:20Lundgren with the pullback.
24:22That's the chance for Svensson.
24:24Bergbäll!
24:25And then Sinelli off the post.
24:28Jokeres scores!
24:32It's him again!
24:36Viktor Jokeres single-handedly
24:41Sending Sweden towards the World Cup.
24:45They can barely believe it.
24:48The praise for Lundgren to start this off.
24:51And just when it seemed all hope was lost.
24:54No way through for Bergbäll, for Sinelli.
24:57But then the power and the pure belief of Viktor Jokeres.
25:02And Sweden on the brink of joining football's elite this summer.
25:08The Potter revolution.
25:13The game, the win!
25:14Kominsky with the throw.
25:15Sweden are going to the World Cup.
25:18The charge led by Viktor Jokeres.
25:22The belief reinstated by Graham Potter.
25:25Amongst crushing Polish disappointments.
25:29A brilliant game.
25:30a brilliant playoff final and Sweden exacting revenge for four years ago when Poland ended
25:37their hopes. Sweden three, Poland two.
25:43Latvia took a 1-0 advantage into the second leg of this UEFA Nations League C and D playoff
25:49against Gibraltar with promotion and relegation on the line. The visitors gave their hosts a scare
25:54by a James Scanlon. Right on the stroke of half-time the Latvians thought they'd doubled their aggregate lead
26:02through Roberts Vipes only for a handball to be spotted by VAR which ruled the goal out.
26:14And the Latvians finally cemented their status in League C of the Nations League with a very late
26:20winner. Captain Anthony's Cherna Mortis leading from the front to complete a 2-0 aggregate win.
26:35Luxembourg led Malta 2-0 going into the second leg of their Nations League playoff
26:39and soon extended that as Van Santil who opened the scoring into Ali repeated the trick.
26:45And the home side had the chance to tighten their grip on the tie even more shortly before half-time
26:50when Joseph Mbong got into a tangle with Leandro Barrera. From behind the goal it was easier to see
26:57that he'd clipped the midfielder's ankle.
27:02Darnell Sonani took the spot kick only for Henry Bonello to keep Malta's very faint hopes of a fight
27:07back alive. In truth though it never looked likely that Luxembourg would relinquish their League C spot.
27:13The Maltese were on the defensive again after the break and Sonani got the better of his next battle
27:18with Bonello. 4-0 on aggregate, 2-0 on a night that would only get more miserable for Malta.
27:25And Bong hadn't learned his lesson this time clattering into Sebastian Till to collect his
27:31second caution and reduce the League D team to 10 men.
27:36Some extra space for substitute Thomas Moreira to exploit. Two minutes after arriving from the bench
27:42he underlined Luxembourg's supremacy. Following six straight defeats in World Cup qualifying,
27:49back-to-back Nations League wins improved the move. So neither Gibraltar nor Malta managed to win
27:55promotion with Latvia 2-0 winners on aggregate and Luxembourg 5-0 overall as both retained their League
28:01C status. Ukraine and Albania, both of whose World Cup dreams ended in playoff semi-final defeats last
28:10time out, faced off in a friendly in Valencia. Alexey Hutzuliak, a substitute against Sweden,
28:16showed his worth from the start, netting for the fourth time in six games. Serhai Rebrov said his men
28:22were unable to show their maximum against the Swedes, but here it came too late, they looked on song.
28:28Mikula Shaparenko, though, denied by the woodwork.
28:32Both Norway and Switzerland topped their groups on the way to World Cup qualification,
28:37but each side had a point to prove in Oslo, having lost their most recent fixture.
28:42Ruben Vargas had the visitors' best effort in a goalless first half.
28:48It was just as tight after half-time, few clear-cut chances at either end.
28:54Norway striker Jürgen Strand Larsson went closest to breaking the deadlock,
28:58but neither side could find a winner, and it finished 0-0.
29:07Both reeling from their failure to make it in the 2026 World Cup, Hungary and Greece locked
29:12horns in Budapest, but Mitrios Korbelis couldn't quite break the early deadlock.
29:17Then, seven minutes after the half-time break, Dominic Sovrischlai went searching for a Hungarian
29:23breakthrough. A quite brilliant solo run might have led to a goal for the ages, instead,
29:28it proved one of those if-only moments. Just past the hour, Greece could have snatched victory,
29:35but Vangelis Pavlidis ran out of room and mathematical probability, hitting the post,
29:40and a game that never quite hit the heights.
29:47In Podgorica, Montenegro's Militinoz Majic picked up where he left off.
29:51The forward, who sealed Victrio Randora four days earlier, made his mark again.
29:57But Slovenia have a striker who's been in excellent form for his club side Swansea City,
30:02and Jan Vipotnik demonstrated the instinct that's put him top of the scoring chart
30:06in English football's second tier. Under Boscan Cesar, the team's first goal,
30:11but the new coach would need to find words of encouragement at half-time,
30:15after seeing Osmaic restore Montenegro's lead.
30:19Cesar's opening match delivered a narrow defeat in Hungary. This time he got just the reaction he wanted,
30:24with the team back on level terms once more, just two minutes after the break, thanks to Daniel Sturm.
30:33And it was Sturm who supplied the pass that sent Jostr Bancic racing into the area soon after,
30:38to pick out Vipotnik. In the right place, at the right time again, to complete Slovenia's comeback victory.
30:49Coach Luis de la Fuente rotated every starter except Laminia Mal from Spain's 3-0 victory over Serbia.
30:56Egypt too were aiming for a second successive friendly win, and Omar Marmuz came close to an opener.
31:02With 11 goals in 48 internationals, he's a real threat. But Spain, who'd won six of their last
31:09seven matches, are an attacking menace whatever the team selection. Fermín López posing the danger here.
31:16But keeper Mustafa Chaubert was equal to it. The Spanish had never lost to Egypt, and the
31:23Pharaoh's challenge was made yet harder when Borja Iglesias was brought down by Hamdi Fatih.
31:30The second yellow, and he was sent off. Spain's Alejandro Grimaldo took the resultant free kick.
31:43Another save by Chaubert. Egypt with the first ever clean sheet against the Spanish,
31:50encouraging signs as they gear up for a return to the World Cup finals.
31:56Ecuador arrived in the Netherlands having conceded just three goals in their last ten matches,
32:01but it took them just three minutes to fall behind. Cody Gatto's cross diverted into his own net by
32:06William Pacho.
32:10A good start for the Dutch, but they were dealt a serious blow on 12 minutes,
32:14when Denzel Dumfries' clumsy attempt to stop Gonzalo Plata saw him receive a straight red card.
32:24Plata's movement was proving a real problem for the home side. On 24 minutes he was at it again.
32:29This time he was fouled by goalkeeper Mark Flecken to earn his side a penalty.
32:37The veteran skipper Enna Valencia took the kick to make it 1-1 and that's how it finished.
32:47Still to come, would it be Czechia or Denmark to take the final qualifying place?
33:00The final playoff spot was upper grabs in Prague as Czechia hoped to qualify for this summer's tournament
33:06at Denmark's expense. The Danes were relative World Cup regulars, having featured at five of the last
33:12seven finals and they'd also enjoyed the more comfortable night in the semis last Thursday.
33:19Czechia fought back from two down to pip the Republic of Ireland on penalties. Could they dig deep again
33:24to make it past this final hurdle and bring a 20-year World Cup exile to an end?
33:31With a high-stakes prize on the line, Prague was poised for another thrilling occasion,
33:37as was your commentator Paul Walker.
33:43Sofels corner, and there's no one, Mark's on the edge and he's thundered in, what a hit,
33:50what a hit from Pavel Schultz. Czechia have lit the fuse in Prague, this is a nation reawakened.
34:02Pavel Schultz with a thunderbolt. Sofels corner, out it went to Schultz, who wasn't picked up on the edge of
34:12the box.
34:13And he absolutely crashes it beyond Hermansen.
34:25It's Isaacson, and beaten away by Kovar. Excellent save.
34:34It was dipping wickedly.
34:38The possession turned over, not the first time that Mailer's made an error. Schultz.
34:45Oh, what a ball that is! It's proper! Hermansen got something on it, what a stop, what a stop!
34:55What a sumptuous pass here from Pavel Schultz, though. Credit Hermansen, came sharply off his line.
35:05Damsgaard with this free kick. Bloody a pace on it, Andersson!
35:11Denmark back on terms, back in business!
35:15The dream was beginning to fade, now it's alive again!
35:22Joachim Andersson levels it in Prague.
35:27A giant goal, a towering header from Joachim Andersson.
35:34Damsgaard juggles it in to Hulmand, Hoyland.
35:38Thunder goal, it's by Mailer.
35:41Just off target. Didn't seem by much at first glance.
35:46This ran ever so kindly for him.
35:50Plenty of tower on it.
35:56Around 900 Danish fans here, all holding their breath right now,
36:02because Vladimir Sofal is about to hurl in this long throw.
36:10Sofal again, it's a teasing ball.
36:13Socek, Freyshe!
36:15It's in!
36:16It's in!
36:17Checking a lead again.
36:20They were boys the last time their country walked among giants.
36:25Tonight, these could be the men to take them back.
36:32Sofal lifts it in there, Crecci sensed an opportunity and took it via the boots of Alexander Bar.
36:43The pandemonium in Prague!
36:50Now, Dreyer's on the move.
36:53He's the furthest man forward.
36:55Anders Dreyer, Ericsson getting in there.
36:57Now it's Hoyt-Bier!
37:03With the instep and wide.
37:05Went for placement, trying to guide it into the corner.
37:10Strap themselves in for another 15 minutes of drama.
37:17Dreyer delivers.
37:18It's in!
37:19It's in!
37:21Kasper Herg with the first international goal!
37:28It's back in the balance in Prague!
37:31It's up for grabs again!
37:34What a moment for Kasper Herg!
37:38Talk about timing!
37:41A man who has starred for Buda Glim this season.
37:46Moving away from goal.
37:48And there was simply nothing, nothing that Kovar could do.
37:52And it will need spot kicks to decide which one of Czechia or Denmark
37:59is going to the FIFA World Cup this summer.
38:05Oiland against Matej Kovar.
38:08Oh, and he's hit the bar!
38:12Advantage Czechia already.
38:17And he scores, he squeezes it in!
38:18Tomáš Horí looking to give Czechia the lead in the shootout.
38:23And he scores, he squeezes it in!
38:28Hermansen got something on it, but not enough!
38:32Christian Eriksson scores, and scores with ease.
38:42Tomáš Sočák to face his club mate, Matz Hermansen.
38:52And Sočák wins the duel!
38:55Two out of two!
38:57Two out of two!
38:58Fabulous penalty.
39:01Anders Dreyer.
39:05Against the backdrop of whistles and jeers.
39:07And it's saved by Kovar!
39:11And it's saved by Kovar!
39:12He's at it again!
39:15Vladislav Krejci, the captain.
39:20He's scored in the shootout on Thursday.
39:23Saved by Hermansen!
39:26Right when they needed him!
39:28Hermansen comes up with the goods.
39:32Matthias Jensson, who's hardly seen any international football in the last couple of years.
39:38Can he hold his nerve?
39:40Oh, he's ballooned it over!
39:44A moment that could well haunt Matthias Jensson for years to come.
39:52If this goes in, Čakia are on their way to the FIFA World Cup.
40:00Michal Cedilik!
40:03History!
40:06Čakia are going to the World Cup!
40:09The wait is over!
40:11The silence is broken!
40:13The world will hear them again!
40:18Čakia are off to the World Cup.
40:21Denmark are not.
40:23Čakia win 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra time.
40:32The finals line-up is complete.
40:35A Fab Four of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
40:37Čakia, Sweden and Turkey all hit the right notes
40:40and will take their place alongside the 12-group winners on the biggest stage of all this summer.
40:48North Macedonia's World Cup bid was ended emphatically by Denmark.
40:52In Dublin, Guvin Kelleher kept them at bay,
40:55falling Ennis Bardi as the Republic of Ireland also sought a morale boost following their play-off defeat by Čakia.
41:01Troy Parrott's hat-trick for the Irish in Hungary was an unforgettable highlight of their qualifying campaign.
41:07This time around, the striker had a first-half effort ruled out for offside
41:10and hit the post in the second half which drifted along
41:14until the home side conjured up one final opportunity deep into stoppage time.
41:19Adamida's improvisation teed up Johnny Kenny,
41:21but Stola Dimitrievski stood firm as the contest ended in stalemate.
41:29A first-ever meeting between Austria and Korea Republic.
41:33The visitors came to this friendly off a heavy defeat to Côte d'Ivoire,
41:37while the hosts beat Ghana 5-1.
41:40Marcel Sabitzer had opened the scoring then and did so again here, his 25th international goal.
41:48Oh Hyung-yu, who'd netted four in his last six games for his country, forced Patrick Pence into a fine
41:54save.
41:54No one could get past the Austrian keeper on the night.
41:58One-nil, it ended.
42:01Serbia and Saudi Arabia were looking to quickly rectify issues laid bare by defeats last time out,
42:07but the hosts made the worst possible start.
42:09A defensive misunderstanding gifting Abdullah Alhamdan with a chance to take full advantage just eight minutes in.
42:16But in this first-ever meeting between the sides, the Serbians were to mount a spirited second-half comeback via
42:24experienced sources.
42:26First, Strahinja Pavlovic sublimely finished on 66 minutes.
42:31Impressive technique from a defender.
42:36Then, just four minutes later, victory was completed for the hosts.
42:40Aleksandar Mitrovic extending his record as all-time leading Serbian scorer, with a 64th goal for his country.
42:47Saudi Arabia with some work to do before the big summer showpiece.
42:53Lithuania and Georgia met in Kaunas, where the visitors' star man, Kvitsa Klarek Skellyer, went closest in a goalless first
43:00half.
43:01In the second period, George Mikotadze was a constant menace to the Lithuania defence.
43:06He earned his team a penalty for 70 minutes.
43:10He got up to take it himself.
43:131-0 to Georgia.
43:16With six minutes of normal time left, it was 2-0.
43:20Niko Gagnica with the assist, Mikotadze unmarked as he scored his second.
43:28Lithuania had been hoping to make it back-to-back wins after victory over Moldova last time out.
43:34Gvidis Gagnitas scored in that one.
43:36It was a different story this time though, as he was shown a red card for a second bookable offence.
43:45Azerbaijan swept aside St Lucia 6-1 before this encounter, but couldn't keep Sierra Leone down for long.
43:52The determined Idris Kanu setting up his namesake Daniel, who got off the mark for his country.
43:59The Africans protected that advantage successfully until 12 minutes from the end,
44:03when a wayward defensive header was punished brilliantly by Rahil Mamadov.
44:08The central defender's first goal in any competition for five years took this FIFA series friendly into a long penalty
44:15shootout.
44:16After Badawi Husanoff made it 9-8 to Azerbaijan, Alfa Toure stepped up and put his kick too close to
44:25Aydin Byramov.
44:27Celebrations for the home team for the second time in three days.
44:32Cyprus and Moldova had only met twice before.
44:35Both occasions like this were friendlies, and both finished 3-2 to the home side.
44:41Gregorius Castanos gave the Cypriots an early lead.
44:44They were 2-2 to the good soon after.
44:46When the ball was directed fortuitously into the path of Haralampos Haralampos, the 23-year-old didn't hesitate.
44:53His fourth international goal involved a little more showmanship.
44:57Cyprus 3-0 up and seemingly certain of a first win since October.
45:02But the second half saw Moldova fight back.
45:05Petru Popescu finishing off a neat move to lessen the deficit to two.
45:09And then Victor Steiner's free kick bypassed everyone to find the net.
45:14But Moldova's fight back ended there.
45:17Now 13 without a win.
45:20A first international appearance for Komoros goalkeeper Syed McKindra in Kazakhstan.
45:25This was not the start he wanted.
45:27The game just four minutes old when his error allowed Kazakhstan to take the lead through Ramazan Orozov.
45:35The debutant keeper made amends in the second half when he pitched an effort from Maxim Samodorov onto the post.
45:41But that one goal was enough for Kazakhstan to record a second straight victory.
45:48Four months on from their nine-goal humbling by Portugal, Armenia returned for a friendly with Belarus.
45:54But it didn't start well.
45:56Yevgeny Jablonski's header giving the hosts another headache.
45:59Eight minutes in.
46:01The Armenians rallied for a time, but it was eventually to get worse for them.
46:06Joman Borkovsky's effort helped on its way in by Nertik Nizian.
46:11Stung by that, the home side pushed for a quick response and very nearly got their reward.
46:17Gor Manvelyan frustrated by the woodwork.
46:20Then with time running out, Armenia were given a late lifeline.
46:24Manvelyan's attempted cross judged to have struck the arm of Max Ebon, penalty given.
46:29Duly converted by Vahan Bichakian.
46:32And though too little too late, it was still a useful exercise for both teams looking to this autumn's nation's
46:38rule.
46:39San Marino had lost all four of their previous games against Andorra by an aggregate scoreline of 9-0.
46:45Their visitors, though, hadn't found the net in their last three outings.
46:48But just before half-time, Eduardo Colombo had to be at his best to deny Albert Rosas.
46:55At the other end, it took a desperate goal-line clearance from Ian Oliveira
46:59to prevent San Marino's Nicola Nani from scoring what would have been only his second goal since 2024.
47:05He had another opportunity in the second half when the ball hit Max Llovera's arm and San Marino were awarded
47:13a penalty.
47:14Nani prepared himself.
47:17It wasn't to be, but this goalless draw ended San Marino's 11-game losing streak.
47:27So the European line-up for the World Cup is complete.
47:31Bosnia and Herzegovina are on their way, which means Italy, for the third time in a row, must watch from
47:36afar.
47:38As Kosovo's dream of a debut at the finals was dashed, Turkey were jumping for joy.
47:46Sweden left it late to beat Poland.
47:48Viktor Jokeres, their playoff hero, once again.
47:53Well, Czechia held their nerve to eventually see off Denmark and set up a summer to save.
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