European World Cup Qualifiers - Group A Review
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France vs. Luxembourg Match Review
Match Details:
Venue: Stadium Municipal (Toulouse)
Attendance: 31,177
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (Macedonia)
Scoreline: France 0 – 0 Luxemborg
In a result which infuriated Coach Didier Deschamps, France drew blanks in their Euro World cup qualifying match against Luxembourg, a side they had beaten 14 times since 1914.
Despite having 34 shots on the night, and hitting the woodwork twice, in a game they amazed a possession of 76%, France failed to break down a resilient Luxembourg side who were playing more for pride and history, than for the intent of world cup qualification.
The result saw Luxembourg coach, Luc Holtz, declare it a day of glory for his side, who is ranked 136th in the world.
France featured a very strong side which had stars such as Greizmann, Pogba, Mbappe, Giroud, and Lemar, but they struggled to impose themselves on the night. It could have turned out humiliating for the French side, who saw a 79th-minute strike by Luxembourg substitute, Gerson Rodrigues hit an upright, after he outpaced Laurent Koscielny.
Thanks to France’s 4 – 0 win over Netherlands last Thursday; the draw against Luxembourg sees them still maintain top position with 17 points - 1 point above of second placed Sweden, and 4 points above third placed Netherlands; in Group A.
Netherlands vs Bulgaria Match Review
Match Details:
Venue: Johan Cruijff Arena (Amsterdam)
Attendance: 47,079
Referee: Sidiropoulos Anastasios (Gre)
Scoreline: Netherlands 3 – 1 Bulgaria
Brighton’s summer signing, Davy Propper was the star of the night when Netherlands beat Bulgaria 3 – 1, to keep their slim world cup hopes alive.
Davy Propper’s first was a neat finish, followed by Arjen Robben’s 34th goal for Netherlands which momentarily put them in control of proceedings on the night.
A brilliant free-kick glanced in by Georgi Kostadinov, gave Bulgaria a sense of purpose on the night as they battled to find an equalizer.
However, it was a neat header from Davy Propper, for the third goal, that sealed the win for Netherlands; who would be hoping for favorable results in their last 2 matches of the group, to stand any chance of making it to Russia next year.
Belarus vs. Sweden Match Review
Match Details:
Venue: Borisov Arena (Barysaw)
Attendance: 6, 431
Referee: Stieler Tobias (Ger)
Scoreline: Belarus 0 – 4 Sweden
For the final game of the group, Sweden put themselves in contention for a world cup ticket, by thrashing Belarus away in a 4 nil victory to put further pressure on group toppers, France.
Goals from Emil Forsberg, Christoffer Nyman, Marcus Berg and a penalty from Andreas Granqvist (from gave Sweden a comprehensive away win on the day.
Euro World Cup Qualifiers Group A Standings
It would be a fight to the finish, for world cup qualification in Group-A; with European heavy weights France, Netherlands and Sweden all in with a chance to qualify for Russia 2018.
What do you think of group A and the team’s chances? Let’s have your comments.
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great post like it and upvoted.....
France is back. If not this World Cup, the next. Such depth with Greizmann, Pogba, Mbappe, Giroud, Dembélé, Lacazette...will certainly be a fun team to cheer for.