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WM-QualiRonaldo sees red for an elbow strike – France is there
The 40-year-old was persuaded to commit an act of violence in Ireland. The ban could also affect the World Cup. France confidently gets the ticket.
The final games of the World Cup qualification started yesterday. While France booked their World Cup ticket after a confident victory, Portugal still has to be patient for superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. The superstar flew off the pitch in the away game in Ireland for the first time in the national team’s uniform.
The 40-year-old offensive player committed an act of violence in the 61st minute of the 2-0 defeat in Dublin and was subsequently thrown off the pitch. After referee Glen Nyberg initially only pulled out a yellow card, the VAR switched on. After consulting the pictures, he withdrew the warning and sent the Portuguese straight to the shower.
Ronaldo will definitely miss the last group game at home against Armenia. If he is suspended for more than one game, he may have to serve the suspension in the World Cup group stage. The Portuguese can secure their World Cup ticket on their own with a home win on Sunday.
The French national team secured their World Cup ticket exactly ten years after the terrorist attacks in Paris. At home they left no stone unturned against Ukraine and won comfortably 4-0. After the first half was goalless, the Équipe Tricolore turned things up and won 4-0 thanks, among other things, to a brace from captain Kylian Mbappé.
Ukraine can at least book their playoff ticket with a win against Iceland in the group finals in Warsaw on Sunday. The English, who had already qualified in advance, didn’t show any weakness at home and won against Serbia 2-0 without shining. Saka in the first half and Eze shortly before the end scored the goals.
Norway before World Cup qualification – Italy will probably have to tremble again
Led by double packers Erling Haaland and Alexander Sörloth, the Norwegians celebrated a 4-1 win over Estonia and are therefore close to a direct ticket to next year’s World Cup. It would be the first World Cup participation since 1998.
The Italians also kept their theoretical chance of a direct ticket with a 2-0 win against Moldova. However, the late goals from Gianluca Mancini (88th) and Francesco Esposito (90th + 2) brought salvation for the favorites. Realistically, all that matters for Italy on the last day of the match against the unbeaten Norwegians is a good finish – catching up with 3 points and 17 goals would probably be impossible, even on a perfect day at San Siro in Milan. The Squadra Azzurra will almost certainly make it into the playoffs.
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(dpa)
