At the end of the group stage in the World Cup qualification, several top nations have to tremble for their Qatar ticket.
This leads to explosive duels.
Berlin - European champions Italy, ex-world champions Spain and Portugal with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo - some top nations still have to tremble for the ticket for the World Cup finals in Qatar.
There will be several finals for first place in the ten qualifying groups.
The ten runners-up in the group have to go into arduous playoffs, in which only three further World Cup starting places are awarded.
Germany and Denmark have already qualified.
In France, Belgium and England, the last step seems to be a matter of form.
Group A:
A World Cup without Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo?
Hardly imaginable.
Portugal is currently one point behind Serbia, but has also played one game less.
With a point win in Ireland on Thursday (8.45 p.m.), the 2016 European champions would be back in front.
But caution is advised: On Sunday (8.45 p.m.) there will be a direct clash between Portugal and Serbia in Lisbon.
If the team around Frankfurt's star Filip Kostic wins, Serbia would definitely be there in Qatar.
Group B:
Spain trembles at Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The old star wants to go to the finals again with Sweden 16 years after his last World Cup participation.
And the prospects are not bad at all.
Sweden is two points ahead of the favorite.
With a victory on Thursday (6:00 p.m.) in Georgia and a mistake by the Spaniards against ex-European champions Greece (8:45 p.m.), the Tre Kronor would be through.
Otherwise, the decision will be made on Sunday (8.45 p.m.) in a direct duel in Seville.
Just in the crucial phase, Spain coach Luis Enrique complains about bad luck with injuries.
The two young Barca stars Ansu Fati and Eric Garcia have to pass.
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Old star Zlatan Ibrahimovic wants to go to the finals again with Sweden 16 years after his last World Cup participation.
© Federico Gambarini / dpa
Group C:
The European champions Italy are also facing a tricky final for the World Cup ticket.
On Friday (8.45 p.m.) the Squadra Azzurra will meet Switzerland, both teams have 14 points.
Even if Italy have not lost to the Swiss since 1993 and recently had the upper hand 3-0 in the group stage on the way to the European Championship, coach Roberto Mancini's team should be careful.
After all, the Swiss eliminated world champions France in the second round of the European Championship and then only lost to Spain on penalties.
Italy will have to do without its striker Ciro Immobile and defender Giorgio Chiellini.
On the last match day on Monday (8.45 p.m.), Italy will visit Northern Ireland, Switzerland will host Bulgaria.
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Louis van Gaal failed in his first term as Dutch national coach in 2001 in the World Cup qualification.
© Maurice Van Steen / ANP / dpa
Group G:
Don't miss another World Cup like 2018.
The Netherlands are not through yet either, although Oranje has the better cards with two points ahead of Norway.
Both teams will meet on Tuesday (8.45 p.m.) at the end in Rotterdam.
Before that, Holland will visit Montenegro on Saturday (8.45pm), while Norway will host Latvia's selection (6.00pm).
Bondscoach Louis van Gaal had already failed in 2001 in his first of three terms in office at the KNVB in the World Cup qualification.
After all: Norway's strongest weapon, BVB striker Erling Haaland, has to pass injured.
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Group H:
Vice World Champion Croatia is in trouble.
The team around superstar Luka Modric is two points behind Russia, but can correct the faux pas on Sunday (3 p.m.) in a direct encounter in Split.
Before that, however, there must be no mistake in Malta on Thursday (8.45 p.m.), otherwise Russia would qualify with a win against Cyprus (6.00 p.m.).
dpa