Three days after correcting Albania at Wembley (5-0), England validates its ticket for Qatar by inflicting an incredible punishment on San Marino (10-0!).
Harry Kane, author of a treble on Friday, once again distinguished himself by offering himself a quadruple this time.
By the way, the Tottenham striker overtakes Memphis Depay in the ranking of the top scorers of these qualifiers at the 2022 World Cup. He consolidates his ranks as the most prolific English international over a calendar year with 16 goals in official matches.
With 43 achievements and is also only 5 units from the absolute record of Wayne Rooney (53 goals).
Qualification: secured ✅
The #ThreeLions are heading to next year's @FIFAWorldCup!
pic.twitter.com/x6cgOojZph
- England (@England) November 15, 2021
If the English can breathe, the situation is greatly complicated for the Italians, held in check in Northern Ireland (0-0).
Already forced to share points by Switzerland on Friday (1-1), Italy still had its destiny in hand thanks to a better goal difference, but had to, to ensure its qualification, obtain a better result than the Swiss team, opposed to Bulgaria.
Wasted effort.
While the Transalpines floundered, the Swiss took the lead.
A first goal signed Okafor allowed them to open the scoring at the start of the second half, then three others, scored by Vargas, Itten and Freuler, in stoppage time, sent them definitively to Qatar.
WE DID IT!
🤩 World Cup 2022, here we come!
🇨🇭💪 # natimiteuch #lanatiavecvous #lanaticonvoi pic.twitter.com/incicRsI4V
- 🇨🇭 Nati (@nati_sfv_asf) November 15, 2021
Unable to find the way to the goals, the Italians were, for their part, very close to being trapped, Bonucci stopping the ball narrowly on his line, at the end of the match, in the 89th minute, after a more than risky exit from the goalkeeper of PSG Gianluigi Donnarumma.
While in Lucerne, the jubilant public celebrated a directly qualified Nati, Squadra Azzura accused the blow.
To see Qatar, she will have to go through the dams in March.
Sweden, which also finished second in its group, is one of the opponents that Italy could find on its way, with other possible big customers (Portugal, Poland, Russia…).
This course strewn with pitfalls did not dampen the enthusiasm of Roberto Mancini, the coach of Italy who declared on Monday evening on the Raï "Shall we go to the World Cup?"
I'm totally confident, and maybe we'll even win it.
"
The play-offs will be contested on March 24 and 29, with semi-finals and a final.
Of the twelve teams entered, three will get a ticket for Qatar.
The poster draw will take place on November 26.