Former Portuguese national coach and current national coach of Poland, Fernando Santos, started the qualifying phase for Euro 2024 with the left foot, with a defeat to the Czech Republic, 3-1, in Prague.
Most surprising was the fact that the home side scored two goals in a burst in the first and third minutes, by midfielder Ladislav Krejci and striker Tomas Cvancara, an advantage that would be extended in the second half, on 64, by striker Jan Kutcha, with the curiosity that the three goalscorers have in common, the fact that they are Sparta Prague players.
Poland was still reduced in the 87th minute, by AEK Athens midfielder Damian Szymanski, but did not soften the weight and impact of a defeat that will leave a dent and force Fernando Santos to overcome a first unfavorable situation by winning at the reception in Albania next Monday.
In the other match in the group, Moldova drew 1-1 against the Faroe Islands, while Albania has not yet taken action, it will only do so against the Poles on Monday.
France beats the Netherlands
France drew from the liters of the world number two and applied a surprise defeat to the Netherlands counterpart, 4-0.
The French team raged over the Netherlands in the early stages of the game, practically scoring three goals in the first twenty minutes, on two, eight and 21, by Antoine Griezmann, Dayot Upamecano and Kylian Mbappé, who would star in the match of the opening day of Group B.
Indeed, the Paris Saint-Germain striker not only assisted Griezmann’s first goal, but also scored the third and fourth for the Gauls, the last in the 88th minute.
The Dutch team, of which much more was expected, had a chance to soften the defeat in the 90+4 minute, but Memphis Depay missed a penalty kick.
In the other Group B match, Greece went to Gibraltar to win 3-0, with goals from Giorgios Masoyras, Manolis Siopas and Anastasios Bakasetas, the last two midfielders of Trabzonspor, of Turkey, as the Republic of Ireland was defeated in this first match. exempt. round.
In Group F, the highlight was Belgium’s decisive and categorical victory in Sweden, 3-0, with Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku signing a hat-trick in the 35th, 49th and 83rd minutes.
The encounter was marked by the record held by veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who, when launched in the 73rd minute to replace Alexander Isak, became the oldest ever player to take part in a qualifying match for a European Championship.
At 41 years, five months and 21 days, the AC Milan striker surpassed another ‘legend’ of world football, in this case former Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff, who, aged 41, three months and one day, played a qualifying match against Sweden in May 1983.
For the same group, Austria confirmed its favoritism by beating Azerbaijan 4-1, and will receive Estonia’s national team on Monday, which did not play in this round.
In Group G, Serbia beat Lithuania 2-0 at home through goals from Dusan Tadic and Dusan Vlahovic, while Montenegro went to Bulgaria to win 1-0. Hungary will only make its debut on Monday and then receive the Bulgarian team.
Source: DN
