What do Croatia, Spain and Portugal have in common?
All three of these national selections are among the best in the world.
But with one game at the end of the qualifiers, none of them is so far guaranteed to participate in the 2022 World Cup which will take place in Qatar in just over a year.
They all remain under the threat of going through the dams, so dangerous.
To discover
Qualifying rankings for the 2022 World Cup
The 2022 World Cup qualifying calendar
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Portugal under threat from Serbia ...
Winner of Euro 2016, Portugal occupy first place in group A with one day from the end of the group stage. The problem ? Serbia, its runner-up, has exactly the same number of points. And this Sunday (8:45 p.m.), the Seleção das Quinas precisely faces the White Eagles, in a decisive meeting. Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates remain on a poor performance against Ireland (0-0), relegated very far in the standings and without particular ambitions, while Dusan Vlahovic and his family took advantage of a friendly match against Qatar for fill up with confidence (4-0). Nevertheless, Portugal is still in a favorable position, as its coach recalled after his team's draw last Thursday: “
I am satisfied with the result.
In terms of ranking, winning 5-0 or drawing it was the same thing.
Of course I would have preferred to win 5-0, but the result is positive.
[...] It was not a great match on our part, not what we were hoping for, but we must also remember the fact that we are in a favorable situation to qualify.
“To put it simply: in order to validate his ticket for the next World Cup without going through the dams, the Portuguese selection must avoid defeat this Sunday.
Will she be able to do it?
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Eder's goal in the Euro 2016 final
... and Spain from Sweden
Spain's situation is similar to that of its Iberian neighbor. First in group B, it remains despite everything under the threat of Sweden - second to a small unit - which it also faces this Sunday (8:45 p.m.), at home. This Thursday, La Roja returned to the top of the standings by winning away against Greece (0-1) while Zlatan Ibrahimovic and others bowed to general surprise in Georgia (2-0). The dynamic is therefore on the side of Luis Enrique and his men. Be careful though because during their first confrontation in these qualifiers, the Blue and Yellow, carried by a very good Alexander Isak, had won (2-1). Remember also that in June, during Euro 2020, the two teams had left with a goalless score. A draw would be enough for the Spaniards to qualify directly for the 2022 World Cup.But the finalist of the last League of Nations intends to take the three points: "
Even if we need a small point against Sweden, we will do everything to beat them,
”said the Spanish coach on Thursday evening, after the victory against Greece.
Sweden is warned.
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Imperative victory for Croatia
Croatia, for its part, is in bad shape. Fortunately for her, she still has her destiny between her feet. Second in Group H, she faces the leader in the standings, Russia, which is two points ahead of her. To avoid going through the dams, Zlatko Dalić's players will have to leave the Poljud Stadium in Split with the points. Luka Modric's 2018 vice-world champions made short work of Malta (1-7) last Thursday. With also two goals from Lovro Majer, who appeared in the eyes of the French last Sunday with an incredible performance against Olympique de Marseille. Will the left-hander manage this Sunday (3 p.m.) to directly qualify his team for the 2022 World Cup against the Russians, wide winners against Cyprus (6-0) on Thursday? Answer at the end of the afternoon.
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