We are starting to see it a little more clearly.
Three tickets still remain to be gleaned in the Europe zone.
This Thursday evening was marked by the elimination of Italy, quadruple world champion and reigning European champion, by North Macedonia (0-1) during the play-off semi-finals.
A cataclysm four years after their non-participation in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Path C: Portugal leads, Italy sinks
The long-awaited final between Portugal and Italy will not take place.
The 2016 European champion will therefore not face the 2020 European champion at home next Tuesday but … North Macedonia!
In Porto, the Portuguese won (3-1) against Turkey.
Quickly, the "Seleçao das Quinas" quickly took the lead with an opportunistic goal from Otavio (1-0, 15th) then a header from Diogo Jota (2-0, 42nd).
Despite the reduction of the Turks thanks to its 2 L1 players - a pass from Under for a goal from Yilmaz - Portugal managed to keep their goal in advance before worsening the score at the end of the game.
In Palermo, the specter of a new elimination at the World Cup 4 and a half years after the defeat in the play-off against Sweden roamed the Sicilian stadium for 90 minutes as the Italians dominated without finding the fault.
The Transalpins have, in fact, shown clumsiness in front of the opposing goal and fell on a Macedonian goalkeeper Dimitrievski in a state of grace.
Italian striker Berardi notably missed four monumental opportunities (30, 53rd, 57th, 63rd).
And finally, on one of their only opportunity, the North Macedonians scored the winning goal by Trajkovski during added time.
Incredible !
🇮🇹 Italy 0-1 North Macedonia 🇲🇰 THE SENSATION
North Macedonia open the scoring!
Italy is practically eliminated, Italy will certainly not see the 2022 World Cup...#lequipeFOOT #ITAMAC pic.twitter.com/OBTmWy7Yvp
— L'Équipe channel (@lachainelequipe) March 24, 2022
Path A: Gareth Bale carries Wales
He hardly plays anymore but he remains effective.
Despite only 5 games this season with Real Madrid in all competitions, the Welsh playing master Gareth Bale remains a special player capable of brilliant gesture.
We obviously remember his return to the Champions League final against Liverpool in 2018. Tonight, he first opened the scoring for Wales against Austria thanks to a splendid free kick at 20m slightly offset on the left side (1-0, 25th) before scoring the break goal on the way back from the locker room following a magnificent shot from the left into the top corner.
🏴 Wales 1 - 0 Austria 🇦🇹
Gareth Bale's magnificent goal from a free kick!
📲💻 Follow the multiplex: https://t.co/4TMPfP2qAt#lequipeFOOT pic.twitter.com/dvZd4jViKo
— L'Équipe channel (@lachainelequipe) March 24, 2022
Sabitzer's Austrian goal doesn't change anything.
The Welsh will face the winner of Scotland v Ukraine (match postponed to June 2022, situation permitting) in the Path A final in June.
Sixty-four years after their only participation in the World Cup, the semi-finalist of Euro 2016 can believe it.
Way B: Sweden wins at the end of the suspense
The duel Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Robert Lewandowski is salivating in advance.
Despite a first act where they went very close to the correctional, the Swedes won against the Czech Republic (1-0) at the end of the suspense during the extension following a superb collective movement concludes Robin Quaison (1-0, 110th).
🇸🇪 Sweden 1 - 0 Czech Republic 🇨🇿
Sweden open the scoring in extra time!#lequipeFOOT pic.twitter.com/4Erkl7C9hL
— L'Équipe channel (@lachainelequipe) March 24, 2022
Suspended, the former Parisian Ibrahimovic will find his place for the final next Tuesday against Poland already qualified after the exclusion of Russia due to the conflict with Ukraine.
The meeting will take place in Chorzow (Poland).
Play-off finals (Tuesday at 8:45 p.m.)
Portugal - North Macedonia
Sweden - Poland
Wales - Ukraine or Scotland (in June)