World Cup qualification: Italy only draw against Switzerland, England qualified directly

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Jorginho (left) shoots over Yann Sommer's goal

Photo: ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP

European champions Italy still have to worry about direct qualification for the soccer World Cup in Qatar (21.11.-18.12.2022).

In the top game of Group C, the Squadra Azzurra did not get beyond a 1: 1 (1: 1) against Switzerland, Jorginho set a penalty shortly before the end after video evidence of the goal of Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer (90th).

In the first leg, Jorginho failed with a penalty from Sommer.

Silvan Widmer had put the Swiss in the lead (11th minute), Giovanni di Lorenzo equalized (36th).

Both teams have 15 points before the final group match day.

Italy (13: 2) is only because of the better goal difference in front of the Swiss (11: 2).

Italy competes in Northern Ireland on Monday, the Swiss receive Bulgaria (both 8.45 p.m.).

If both teams have the same number of points, goal difference and number of goals scored after this match day, the direct duels will decide.

Then the Swiss would be through because they scored more goals away from home after a 0-0 home win in a 1-1 draw in Rome.

The group runner-up can still qualify for the tournament via a play-off duel.

England still need a point against San Marino

In Group I, the English go into the long-distance duel for the direct World Cup ticket against Poland (4-1 in Andorra) from an excellent starting position.

The »Three Lions« defeated Albania 5-0 (5-0) and are still three points ahead of their pursuers at the top of the table with 23 points.

On Monday, the 1966 world champion can already qualify with a draw in San Marino.

Harry Maguire (9th), Harry Kane (18./33./45.+2) and Jordan Henderson (28th) scored for the furious Englishmen in the pouring rain at London's Wembley Stadium.

Denmark with a ninth win in the ninth game

Denmark has kept its clean slate in Group F.

Thanks to goals from Andreas Skov Olsen (18th), Hoffenheim's Jacob Bruun Larsen (63rd) and Joakim Maehle (90th + 3), the EM semi-finalist beat the Faroe Islands 3-1 (1-0).

This means that the already qualified Danes remain free of loss points after nine games, but conceded their first goal.

With a 2-0 (1-0) win in Moldova, Scotland secured the play-off position behind the Danes.

mfu / sid