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      England 1 Belgium 0: Lionesses leapfrog rivals in Nations League standings after Lauren Hemp goal & Mary Earps heroics

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      LAUREN HEMP helped England deliver a birthday weekend win for Sarina Wiegman as they overran Belgium in the Women’s Nations League on Friday night. Red Flames’ hopes of turning up the heat on their hosts were dampened by the Lionesses’ hungry attack and 1-0 win at the King Power.
      Lauren Hemp scored the only goal from close range in the first halfCredit: Getty
      Mary Earps made some outstanding saves to keep the clean sheetCredit: Getty
      This was despite a couple of nail-biting moments that produced some top draw saves from crowd favourite and ex-Leicester ace Mary Earps.
      The victory, watched by a lively 28,321-strong crowd, at the Foxes home saw England move up to second and level on points with group leaders Holland. 
      And Wiegman aces were boosted by Fran Kirby making her first Lionesses appearance since last October following her recovery a long-term knee injury.
      England were eager to bounce back after a 2-1 loss to Holland and going five games without a clean sheet. 
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      They overwhelmed the visitors pinning them deep in their half for large chunks of the game including the opening nine minutes. 
      It took just a minute for the hosts to mount their first attack with Niamh Charles dangerous run into the box 
      And Belgium’s backline looked all over the shop when Lauren Hemp saw a shot palmed away from goal before Ella Toone’s effort rolled inches wide of the post. 
      Against the run of play Justine Vanhaevermaet – Belgium’s most dangerous player in attack – forced an impressive 10th minute Earps stop from her towering header.
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      Fran Kirby returned from injuryCredit: Getty
      England took a deserved lead two minutes later after with Hemp slotting home from a corner following skipper Millie Bright’s header 
      And they went close near the half hour mark with the ball whizzing past Alessia Russo near the half hour mark. 
      The second spell saw England maintain the pressure with Alex Greenwood’s curled free-kick prompting a fine Nicky Evrard save 
      This was shortly after Earps classy stop of Sarah Wijnants long range thumper with 34 minutes of normal time left. 
      Wiegman, who turned 54 on Thursday, shuffled her deck with Rachel Daly and Kirby entering the fray in the 65th minute for Russo and Toone.
      Her side saw out the win ahead of the clash with Belgium in Leuven on Tuesday.
      The Lionesses face Belgium again on TuesdayCredit: Reuters More

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      Gianfranco Zola breaks silence on TV gaffe that left Bellingham in stitches as Chelsea icon says ‘I didn’t mean THAT’

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      CHELSEA legend Gianfranco Zola addressed his recent hilarious gaffe that left England star Jude Bellingham laughing his socks off.Zola was part of the Channel 4 panel covering the Three Lions’ 3-1 victory over Italy at Wembley where Gareth Southgate’s men punched their ticket for Euro 2024.
      Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola addressed his hilarious gaffe at WembleyCredit: Channel 4
      Zola left England star Jude Bellingham in stitches after the Italy gameCredit: Channel 4
      Bellingham, 20, led the brigade after Gianluca Scamacca’s opener as he won the penalty that Harry Kane converted to score his first goal and provided the assist for Marcus Rashford’s finish.
      The Italian shook off his country’s loss and rose above it by praising the Real Madrid superstar’s stunning performance as he got something off his chest.
      Zola told Bellingham: “I have to say it makes me laugh, because at 20 years old I was still drinking milk from my mum.”
      That was when the star midfielder and the rest of the panel were left in stitches.
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      The 57-year-old appeared on talkSPORT earlier today where his viral gaffe was revisited.
      And the former striker proved to be a good sport as he couldn’t stop giggling along with presenters Alan Brazil and Gabriel Agbonlahor.
      Once he regained his composure, the ex-Italy international explained he got “lost in translation”.
      Brazil said: “I thought your English was very good!”
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      Zola responded: “Yeah but sometimes I get lost in translation! I didn’t mean that!”
      The Chelsea great then finally got the chance to say exactly what he wanted to tell Bellingham after full-time.
      Zola said: “The fact is I am still very, very impressed by this young boy.
      “Not only in the way he behaves on the pitch, but the maturity, talking, the composure.
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      Zola explained he got lost in translation in that hilarious momentCredit: talkSPORT
      “I tell you something, there are moments in the game when things are not going your way and the tendency is to go along with it.
      “There was one player not giving up in that moment, I noticed that, it was Bellingham. He created everything from nothing. Italy was going very well, they were controlling the game.
      “But Bellingham himself created the first goal with an acceleration for the penalty. Then, the second one he created another fantastic acceleration.
      “I was really impressed and I wanted to let him know that. But I didn’t expect that!” More

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      England stars spotted partying with Emily Atack as Jude Bellingham and Co rack up £35k bar bill after reaching Euro 2024

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      JUBILANT England stars racked up a £35,000 bar bill after celebrating their Euro 2024 qualification, with TV star Emily Atack joining the party. Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Trent Alexander-Arnold danced the night away after the Three Lions thumped Italy 3-1 at Wembley.

      Jude Bellingham & Co racked up a £35,000 bar bill after celebrating their Euro 2024 qualificationCredit: Click News and Media
      Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold spotted on the night outCredit: Click News and Media
      Spurs James Maddison wore a yellow cap and eye-catching jumperCredit: Click News and Media
      TV star Emily Atack joined the night outCredit: Click News and Media
      Wonderkid Jude Bellingham and Luke Shaw were also among the revellers, joined also by TV star Emily.
      But there was no sign of skipper and family man Harry Kane, who started England’s fightback against Italy with a first-half penalty.
      The partying players bought fans ­cocktails and spirits at trendy nightspot Tape in London’s exclusive ­Mayfair.
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      They were joined by celebs including boxer Chris Eubank Jr as no expense was spared.
      Manchester City’s Grea­lish and Spurs’ Maddison raised a glass to Italy and Tottenham defender Destiny Udogie and chanted his name.
      It was revealed that the Tottenham star was racially abused on social media after playing against the Three Lions, according to Football Italia.
      Real Madrid sensation Bellingham was hailed for his man-of-the match performance before the team moved to a VIP section.
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      The minimum spend for a table there is £2,000.
      A bottle of Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades champers costs £650, a magnum of Dom Perignon Vintage Luminous is £1,050 and a jeroboam of Belvedere vodka is £1,300.

      Security later escorted the entourage in dribs and drabs back to the Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge, where luxury suites cost £11,500 a night.
      The England squad had plenty to celebrate after clinching qualification for next year’s Euros in Germany with two games to spare.
      Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions are now joint favourites with France, who knocked England out of the winter World Cup in the quarters.
      Emily wore a black dress for the London partyCredit: Click News and Media
      Emily leaves the club after the big night outCredit: Click News and Media
      Bellingham was hailed for his man-of-the match performanceCredit: Click News and Media
      The partying players bought fans ­cocktailsCredit: Click News and Media
      The minimum spend for a table there is £2,000Credit: Click News and Media

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      England ratings: Jude Bellingham runs the show against Italy as Kalvin Phillips has a night to forget

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      ENGLAND booked their spot at Euro 2024 with a convincing win over Italy.Captain Harry Kane bagged a brace while Marcus Rashford banished the demons of the Euro 2020 penalty shoot-out defeat.
      England qualified for Euro 2024 by beating Italy 3-1Credit: Rex
      But it was Jude Bellingham who ran the show at Wembley, putting in the type of display befitting a player classified among the best in the world.
      Bellingham won a penalty and laid on Rashford’s goal before receiving a standing ovation from the crowd when he was subbed off.
      While some have almost certainly booked their spot for the team in eight months’ time, others still have something to prove.
      Here’s how England’s Dan King rated the Three Lions.
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      Jordan Pickford – 6
      Did not have a save to make after Italy’s until a fine low stop from Udogie in first-half stoppage time.
      Well-positioned to save Gianluca Scamacca’s second-half shot, but a couple of bits of nervy distribution.
      Kyle Walker – 7
      Ensured the right of England’s defence looked more solid than the left and made an important intervention to stop Davide Frattesi making it 2-0.
      Thank goodness Gareth Southgate talked him out of retirement.
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      John Stones – 5
      Decent on the ball, but probably should have been tighter to Scamacca when Giovani Di Lorenzo’s cross found its way across the penalty area.
      Not a surprise to see him taken off as he comes back from injury.
      Harry Maguire – 6
      Harry Maguire was solid tonightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      A strong early challenge had the home fans singing his song as the turnaround continued for the much-malligned Manchester United centre back.
      Didn’t really put a foot wrong as England denied Italy chances. 
      Kieran Trippier – 5
      Combined encouragingly with Marcus Rashford down the left early on but the pair were caught out for Italy’s opener and it was not the last time it happened.
      Looked more solid in the second half.
      Declan Rice – 6
      Miscued an attempted clearance in the build-up to Scamacca’s goal and a later loose pass could have been similarly punished.
      One of his less impressive performances in an England shirt, but better in second half.
      Kalvin Phillips – 5
      Had to rein himself in a bit from his usual all-action style after picking up a slightly unfortunate early booking.
      Lucky to avoid a second yellow card for a foul on Giorgio Scalvini before being taken off.
      Jude Bellingham – 8
      Jude Bellingham received a standing ovation when he was subbed offCredit: Getty
      Sometimes frustrated, with team-mates or match officials, and the target for some robust Italian challenges.
      But his brilliant surge earned the penalty and he sensationally created Marcus Rashford’s goal.
      Phil Foden – 7
      Unable to make the most in the first half of drawing Destiny Udogie into an early yellow card.
      But kept on proving and posing a threat, and forced a decent save from Donnarumma in the second half.
      Marcus Rashford – 8
      Full of energy and intent from the start, without quite finding the final ball or shot until late in the first half.
      But capitalised superbly on Bellingham’s brilliance, keeping his composure to give it the finish it deserved.
      Harry Kane – 8
      Harry Kane became England’s all-time scorer at WembleyCredit: Reuters
      A quiet first half until coolly converting a spotkick to bring up his 60th international goal.
      Spent most of the second battling hard for the ball and had his reward when he beat hapless Scalvini and scored No 61 emphatically.
      Substitutions
      MARC GUEHI (for Stones, 63) 6
      JORDAN HENDERSON (for Phillips, 70) 6
      JACK GREALISH (for Bellingham, 85) N/A
      Not used: Johnstone, Ramsdale, Dunk, Colwill, Alexander-Arnold, Gallagher, Watkins, Grealish, Maddison, Bowen.
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      Gianluigi Donnarumma 6, Giovanni Di Lorenzo 5, Giorgio Scalvini 3, Francesco Acerbi 4 (Bastoni 63, 5), Destiny Udogie 7 (Dimarco 63, 5); Davide Frattesi 7, Bryan Cristante 6, Nicolo Barella 7; Domenico Berardi 6 (Raspadori 78, 5), Gianluca Scamacca 7 (Kean 63, 5), Stephan Al Shaarawy 6.
      Subs not used: Vicario, Meret, Gatti, Locatelli, Bonaventura, Darmian, Mancini, Orsolini. More

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      Wiegman wants Beth Mead to build up Arsenal minutes before considering England return for Gunners star

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      SARINA WIEGMAN says Beth Mead must get her consistency back on the pitch for her club before being reconsidered for England.  The forward made a winning comeback for Arsenal on Sunday after battling back to fitness from a knee injury sustained in November. 
      England chief Sarina Wiegman wants Beth Mead to build up match minutes and consistencyCredit: PA
      Lionesses star Mead made a return to competitive match action on Sunday after recovering from a long-term knee injuryCredit: Getty
      Chelsea’s Fran Kirby has returned to England’s squad for the first time this year ahead of their games against BelgiumCredit: Reuters
      Wiegman’s squad announcement ahead of the Lionesses’ upcoming Women’s Nations League fixtures included a recall for Fran Kirby.
      The fit-again Chelsea forward is back with Lionesses for the first time this year. 
      However Mead has been left out of the head coach’s 25-strong group with the team facing Belgium in a double-header later this month. 
      Earlier today England boss Wiegman said: “Beth is in a good place now but has been out for nine months. To be honest, she was not close
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      “She had her first minutes which was nice to see, but she first has to build at (her) club, to get that consistency back and then we have an opportunity to select her.
      “She just came on the pitch (against Aston Villa) for the first time in a competitive game. She came on in the 88th minute. She needs consistency. 
      “That has to do with performance and also staying healthy.”
      Kirby’s call-up follows the playmaker’s return to match action last Saturday during the Blues 2-0 defeat of West Ham in the league. 
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      The game at Kingsmeadow was her first competitive appearance since recovering from a knee injury sustained in February 
      An injury that led her to miss this year’s Women’s World Cup and much of the second half of last season. 
      Wiegman added: “It’s very nice Fran is back on the pitch. She’s fit and healthy. 
      “I thought she played very well when she came back on the pitch. 
      “She’s been building up to those moments in the summer.
      “She has shown enough quality in her performance that I think it’s good she comes back into the team.
      “She was really happy when I called her and she’s good to go.”
      England’s duels with Belgium, which includes an away game in Leuven, comes in the same month as a suspected terror attack in Brussels. 
      Two people were shot dead in Belgium’s capital on Monday before a Euros 2024 qualifier between the nation and Sweden with the shooting prompting the game to be abandoned. 
      The incident saw the country’s terror alert raised to its highest levels with  Prime Minister Alexander De Croo describing the attack as “brutal”
      Wiegman said:  “Of course it’s an awful situation. Two people killed, very, very horrible.
      “The FA has had conversations with the Belgium FA and it’s all about safety. “I feel safe enough to go there.
      “There are conversations going on and they will do everything to make us safe.
      England’s squad includes two new young faces with Man City goalkeeper Khiara Keating, 19, and Spurs midfielder Grace Clinton, 20 – on loan from Manchester United – getting their first call-ups.
      Keating’s standout shot-stopping displays for City has seen the team concede just once in three WSL games. 
      And the teenage City starlet has started in the three WSL games City have played so far with club team-mate Ellie Roebuck on the bench last time out. 
      Khiara Keating has been called up to England’s senior squad for the first time in her careerCredit: GettyEngland Women’s Squad – Women’s Nations LeagueGoalkeepers

      Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)
      Defenders
      Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lucy Parker (Aston Villa), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
      Midfielders
      Grace Clinton (Tottenham – on loan from Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Katie Zelem (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona).
      Forwards
      Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Jess Park (Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).

      Along with Keating, Roebuck has been included in the England squad as one of four goalkeepers including Hannah Hampton and England number one Mary Earps. 
      Both Roebuck and Chelsea shot stopper Hampton are yet to make appearances for their club sides this term with both facing a battle for minutes. 
      However Wiegman insists the duos’ calibre has earned them enough credit for national selection. 
      The head coach added: “Both of them have built a little bit of credit with us because they have been with us and trained well. 
      “I still think they are two of the best in the country but I hope in the future they get minutes. 
      Grace Clinton has also received her first senior Lionesses call-up this monthCredit: Getty
      “It does make it a little bit complicated but I still feel they are the best in the country.”
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      Barcelona ace Keira Walsh is back in the squad after missing the team’s games against Scotland in November. 
      But there were no places for Jordan Nobbs, Lucy Staniforth, Laura Coombs, and Katie Robinson with the quartet omitted.  More

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      Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk and Man Utd flop Weghorst blast ‘worst pitch ever’ as they near Euro 2024 qualification

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      NETHERLANDS stars Virgil van Dijk and Wout Weghorst lashed out after beating Greece to clear the way for Euro 2024 qualification.The Oranje beat the Greeks 1-0 at OPAP Arena in Athens and Ronald Koeman’s side now need to beat either the Republic of Ireland or Gibraltar to confirm their place in the finals in Germany.
      Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk blasted the pitch at OPAP Arena in GreeceCredit: Rex
      Ex-Manchester United player Wout Weghorst claimed it was the “worst pitch” he ever played onCredit: Rex
      But after the game, Liverpool star Van Dijk – who scored the winner from the penalty spot – was fuming with the state of the pitch.
      The centre-back lambasted the “terrible” state of AEK Athens’ ground and suggested that shouldn’t be allowed “at this level”.
      Van Dijk said: “Have you seen the pitch? Terrible. It’s unbelievable that this is still allowed at this level.”
      Hoffenheim star Weghorst took it up a notch by claiming that was the “worst pitch” he has ever played on.
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      The Burnley loanee, who had an unsuccessful stint at Manchester United last season, even claimed there were stones on the grass.
      Weghorst said: “This was the worst pitch I have ever played football on.
      “We knew it wouldn’t be an easy game here, given the conditions and the way the opposition played. The pressure was there.
      “Not so much from the crowd, but mainly from the pitch which was very bad. There were stones on it. The conditions were difficult.”
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      The manager of Grassform Antonis Grimotsis, who supervises football pitches in the Greek Superleague, addressed Van Dijk and Weghorst’s claims.
      Grimotsis stated that the turf at OPAP Arena is being reseeded, which is annual procedure that takes place when the season is paused and UEFA as well as the two teams were fully aware.
      He posted on Facebook: “The pitch at OPAP Arena is in the process of being reseeded, of which the organising authority, the Dutch national team and of course the Greek national team are aware.
      “It is a regular, annual procedure that takes place at the break of the championship, it’s just that in our case it doesn’t exist.
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      The pitch at OPAP Arena wasn’t up to par, according to the NetherlandsCredit: Focus Images
      “The playing field is completely safe and playable with an aesthetic deviation due to the necessary, aggressive work.
      “OPAP Arena has had a busy schedule since its inception [in 2022], which is now being regulated.
      “Both the club management [AEK] and the maintenance company are in control and it is only a matter of time before the issue is finally resolved.” More

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      Gareth Southgate drops TWO England stars from squad to face Italy in Euro 2024 qualifier

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has had to drop TWO stars ahead of England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy. AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori and Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah have been omitted from the squad.
      Eddie Nketiah made his debut against AustraliaCredit: Getty
      Fikayo Tomori has been left out against ItalyCredit: Getty
      England boss Gareth Southgate had 25 players for the final training session but only 23 can be named in match-day squads.
      Nketiah made his debut in England’s 1-0 friendly win over Australia on Friday, coming on as a substitute for match-winner Ollie Watkins.
      Tomori – who left Chelsea for Milan in 2021 – has made four senior Three Lions appearances.
      England sit top of Group C, with Italy three points behind.
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      And tonight’s match gives Southgate’s side another chance to avenge their heartbreaking Euros final loss in 2021.
      But Southgate – who led England to World Cup quarters last winter – claimed he is a better manager for the heartache.
      He said: “You are managing big matches all the time in one of the most high-profile jobs in football, so of course, like every manager, you are improving every day.
      “I’m sure every coach would be saying they are better than six months ago; they know more, are more experienced and have encountered more situations.
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      “I hadn’t managed a European final before, so the next one I am in I will have another reference and you have more experience.
      “It’s as simple as that. You can only gain experience by being in those moments.
      “People have asked what I would do differently that night but if I had done something differently I don’t know how that would have played out.
      “You make decisions with the information you have at a given time and it’s played out in front of everybody.
      “Everybody can then, in hindsight, say what should have happened but that tape is never played and nobody really knows the answer.”
      Gareth Southgate speaks ahead of England’s game with ItalyCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Why Ireland need to LOSE to Netherlands in Euro 2024 qualifier to have best chance of qualifying for tournament

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      REPUBLIC OF IRELAND are in a bizarre scenario where their Euro 2024 hopes would actually be boosted if they LOSE to Netherlands next month.Stephen Kenny’s side suffered a crushing blow on Friday when they were beaten by Greece at home in qualification.
      Republic of Ireland will be better off losing to Netherlands in their quest for Euro 2024 qualificationCredit: Sportsfile
      That was Ireland’s fifth defeat in six matches and leaves them fourth in Group B, six points behind the Netherlands, nine behind the second-placed Greeks and 15 behind leaders France.
      They head to Gibraltar today already knowing that a play-off place is out of their grasp and their hopes of qualifying automatically out of the group are over.
      However, the dream of reaching this summer’s European Championship in Germany is not quite over thanks to a very strange predicament.
      The introduction of the Nations League in 2018 now means that nations have two means of qualification.
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      The Euro play-offs will include the best-performing sides from the Nations League that failed to qualify automatically for Euro 2024.
      That means Ireland cannot have more than seven teams above them in the Nations League ranking that fail to qualify automatically from the groups.
      The Netherlands are one of the sides above Ireland in the Nations League rankings.
      That, therefore, means it would be beneficial for Kenny’s men if Ronald Koeman’s team qualify ahead of Greece as the latter are ranked below the Irish.
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      An Ireland defeat to Netherlands, who face Greece tonight, on November 18 in the final qualifier would create an additional play-off spot for Ireland.
      However, a win would almost certainly take away their chance of advancing due to the bonkers situation they find themselves in. More