World Cup qualifiers

JOHN McGINN’S spectacular overhead kick salvaged a crucial point for Steve Clarke’s Scots.Just when it looked as if Austria’s version of Peter Crouch was about to condemn Scotland to their first home defeat in a World Cup qualifier since 2013!

John McGinn’s stunning bicycle kick salvaged a draw for Scotland against AustriaCredit: Reuters
Stuttgart’s 6ft7″ striker Sasa Kalajdzic produced a towering performance at Hampden, helping himself to a double to open his international account in his third appearance for his country.
But the giant striker was cut down to size by pint-sized John McGinn who saved his side with a stunning bicycle kick five minutes from full-time.
It was the Aston Villa ace’s first goal in nine games for his country and it couldn’t have come at a more crucial time as the Scots were on the brink of a disastrous opening defeat.
But yet again, Super John McGinn rode to the rescue as he underlined his value to Steve Clarke with his eighth goal in 16 appearances for his manager – Scotland’s top scorer since Clarke took charge.
However Gareth Southgate’s spies will have seen nothing here to spook them ahead of Scotland’s visit on Euro Championship business in June.
Franco Foda’s improving Austria are currently 25 places above 48th placed Scotland in Fifa’s world rankings and it showed when the visitors dominated for large periods.
But they passed up a string of chances until Kalajdzic pounced when David Marshall spilled Florian Grillitsch’s low shot to fire the visitor’s in front 10 minutes after the break.
Forgotten Scot Grant Hanley equalised eight years after his first and last goal for his country with a powerful header after 71 minutes.
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McGinn popped up in the 85th minute to play the role of late hero for Steve Clarke’s menCredit: Getty

But Scotland looked doomed when Kalajdzic headed past Marshall with 10 minutes left.
That was until McGinn’s late magic left the Tartan Army head over heels. 
And the strike is sure to have also left them with renewed vigour for Sunday’s tough clash against Israel.
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NOBODY is quite sure what the most farcical aspect of this World Cup campaign will be.That the finals are being held in Qatar or that England must play four matches against rank amateurs, during a global pandemic when non-essential travel is supposed to be banned.
Ollie Watkins scored on his debut as England beat San Marino 5-0 in their first World Cup qualifierCredit: Getty
Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted twice in the Wembley rompCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Still, it will be a World Cup campaign like no other – beginning in an empty Wembley, ending in the desert in winter.
And England began it by defeating the worst team on Earth, a San Marino side who have never won a competitive game of football, in passable fashion.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice, James Ward-Prowse and Raheem Sterling one apiece and Ollie Watkins netted a debut goal.
All the while, Harry Kane would have been quietly seething on the bench, knowing he could have made significant inroads on Wayne Rooney’s England scoring record had he been allowed to join in.
But let’s face it, it wouldn’t have thrilled your Nanna or your Auntie Vi – as Southgate said he’d hoped to do in his pre-match press conference.
This was an exercise in bayoneting sandbags, nothing more.
None of this is the fault of Southgate or his players, nor the opposition, who defended obdurately, especially in the second half.
You can only beat what’s in front of you – even if the opposition resembled some sort of Jim Henson creation.
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James Ward-Prowse opened the scoring with his first-ever England goalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Raheem Sterling kept his fine form going with a well-taken finishCredit: Getty

It will get tougher than this for England in this group – San Marino is a hill with a castle on it, while Andorra is a couple of actual mountains. And Fraggle Rock hasn’t yet been recognised by FIFA.
In Albania on Sunday, Southgate’s men will actually have to play against some professional footballers.
We could pretend to tell you what the England manager would have learned from this – that Nick Pope can stay awake for 90 minutes relatively late in the evening without anything to occupy him.
Southgate would have liked to have seen more ruthlessness and more composure, in front of goal.
But we know full well that he will learn far more from any given training session.

Ward-Prowse opened the scoring after 14 minutesCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
Calvert-Lewin doubled England’s lead not long afterCredit: Reuters
Had England amassed double figures, it would tell us nothing about their capability of beating Croatia here when the Euros get under way in June.
Even Southgate didn’t dare to play a back five against this lot – the first pub team allowed to play competitive football in England this year – and a team who probably wouldn’t even be able to beat Liverpool at Anfield right now.
With no fans, no contest, no drama or intrigue, it genuinely must have been difficult for Southgate’s men to stay switched on.
Yet with a tournament coming up this summer, this was at least a chance for players to prove they can cope with boredom – so often an Achilles heel for England squads of the past.
San Marino did actually manage to frustrate England for 14 minutes – though England largely frustrated themselves.
Sterling had the Three Lions three up after half an hourCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Calvert-Lewin bagged his second of the night in the 53rd minuteCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Sterling fluffed two glorious headed chances, Jesse Lingard had a shot pushed away by the heroic visiting keeper Elia Benedettini and John Stones shinned over the bar from four yards when scoring would have been easier.
But finally the opener arrived when Ben Chilwell cut back for Ward-Prowse to steer home.
He celebrated with an exuberant golf swing and while it was his first goal for England, a polite shake of hands would have sufficed.
The second was a trademark Calvert-Lewin header from a trademark Reece James cross – a goal which could have been practiced against cones on a training ground, which is pretty much what happened at Wembley.
Benedettini, who certainly never wants for action in his role, made another excellent stop from a Chilwell long-ranger.
Watkins will never forget the moment he netted his first Three Lions goal in the 83rd minuteCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
Jude Bellingham impressed after coming on as a second-half subCredit: Getty
San Marino then, inadvisably, attempted to play it out from the back, straight to Mason Mount, who fed Sterling, three defenders falling at his feet as he drilled in from an angle.
It was Sterling’s fifth attempt on goal – he’d left Lingard screaming in the centre when he greedily attempted a solo goal earlier.
Then, absolute scenes, as San Marino won a corner – which they wasted. Swiftly followed by an attacking free-kick, also squandered.
Southgate made four half-time subs – Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Kieran Trippier and Tyrone Mings on for Sterling, Mount, James and Stones.
Lingard soon set up Calvert-Lewin to tap home his second and England’s fourth.
Phil Foden was also introduced and had a lively outingCredit: Getty
Gareth Southgate will now turn his attention to Sunday’s game in AlbaniaCredit: EPA
Spoilsport Southgate wouldn’t let the Everton centre-forward complete his hat-trick – sending on Aston Villa’s Watkins for his debut.
It is a moment any footballer dreams of – yet rather devalued against non-leaguers in front of 90,000 empty seats.
Ward-Prowse was given the opportunity to curl home a 25-yard free-kick – as he often does for Southampton – but Benedettini touched it on the post, as many Premier League keepers have failed to do.
Then, a lovely moment for Watkins, who accepted a pass from the scampering Foden to guide home his shot.
Nobody, except the San Marino keeper, will remember much about this night, if and when England arrive in Qatar in November 2022 for the sharp end of this campaign.
That we have to sit through three more matches like this, against San Marino and Andorra twice, really is an extraordinary waste of everybody’s time.
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MANCHESTER CITY keeper Aro Muric has been sent home from international duty for breaching team discipline, according to reports.The 22-year-old was part of Kosovo’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Spain.
Man City goalkeeper Aro Muric has been sent home from international duty with KosovoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But national boss Bernard Challandes sent Muric packing earlier this week after the Swiss-born keeper broke team rules.
Muric is on a season-long loan to Dutch club Willem II.
He helped City win the 2019 League Cup, making five appearances, but has since been loaned out to Nottingham Forest and Spanish club Girona.
The keeper had rowed with national teammate Edon Zhegrova, according to Dutch outlet AD.
But coach Challandes labelled the claims ‘fake news’.
The Swiss-born manager added: “It would be a lack of respect on my part towards Aro Muric if I give out any more information.”
Willem II refused to comment until the player has returned to the club.
Kosovo are set to play a friendly against Lithuania before World Cup qualifying matches against Spain and Sweden.
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Muric previously sparked controversy while on international duty last October.
He was pictured with a woman at the team’s hotel, contravening Covid-19 protocols.
Elsewhere, Germany’s World Cup qualifier with Iceland was thrown into doubt on Thursday after Jonas Hofmann tested positive for Covid-19.
Urgent talks were held between frantic German FA officials in a desperate attempt to make sure the Group J clash in Duisberg would go ahead as planned.
And the game has now been given the green light to go ahead, according to reports.
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GERMANY’S World Cup qualifier against Iceland WILL go ahead after one of their players tested positive for Covid-19, according to reports.Borussia Monchengladbach star Jonas Hofmann, 28, returned a positive sample leaving the rest of the German squad confined to their rooms – on the morning of their clash with the Icelandics.
Germany’s clash with Iceland will go ahead despite a member of their squad testing positive for Covid-19Credit: Getty
Borussia Monchengladbach star Jonas Hofmann contracted the virus which threw the game into doubtCredit: Getty
Urgent talks were held between frantic German FA officials earlier today in a desperate attempt to make sure the Group J clash in Duisberg would go ahead as planned.
And the game has now been given the green light, according to Bild.
The match is due to kick-off at 7:45pm tonight UK time at the MSV Arena – home to third tier side MSV Duisberg.
Players were forced to self-isolate and a team meeting scheduled for this morning was cancelled in an attempt to reduce any risk of further transmission.
As well as Hofmann, RB Leipzig star Marcel Halstenberg has also been forced to isolate as he came into contact with the infected midfielder.
At noon Thursday, German Football spokesperson Jens Gittner said the game would ‘definitely take place according to the current status’.
Former Germany striker and now DFB big-wig Oliver Bierhoff, 52, said: “This news is of course bitter so shortly before the game – for the coach and the entire team.
“But we are in good spirits that it will stay with this single case, as we have carried out all hygiene measures with great discipline so far. Of course, we will implement all the requirements of the authorities. ”
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Former England Under-21 star Jamal Musiala is in the German senior squad

A German FA statement on Thursday read: “The PCR testing of players and staff in the national team’s quarters on Wednesday gave a positive test result on Thursday morning.
“In close cooperation with the Düsseldorf health department, the national player who tested positive and is currently symptom-free was immediately isolated.”
Fifa protocols state the game can take place if a team has 13 available players.
Former England Under-21 star Jamal Musiala is one of the players affected by the news having been called up to the senior German side for the first time.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise at Bayern Munich – sparking a battle between the Three Lions and Die Mannschaft for his international allegiance.
Despite playing for the Young Lions as recently as November, he chose to play for Germany’s senior team after boss Joachim Low knocked on his door to beg him to pick the Germans.
The starlet was born in Stuttgart but moved to London as a child, where he played for Chelsea’s academy.
Germany are in qualifying Group J alongside Romania, North Macedonia, Armenia and Lichtenstein.
Low is set to kick off his last World Cup qualifying campaign with the national team.
The long serving manager of 15 years will stand down after this summer’s Euros.
Despite rumours linking Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp with the upcoming vacancy, the Reds manager ruled himself out of the running.
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TOMAS SOUCEK’S brisk hat-trick led the Czech Republic’s 6-2 rout of Estonia – but France and Holland were stunned on a lively first night of World Cup qualifiers.The midfielder replicated his superb West Ham form, netting on 32, 43 and 48 minutes, as the Czechs roared back from behind.
West Ham sensation Tomas Soucek celebrates mocking his poor scoring record for the Czechs with a treble to destroy EstoniaCredit: Getty
France main man Kylian Mbappe cannot believe it as Ukraine hit back for a drawCredit: Getty
Portugla celebrate after Maksim Medvedev’s own goal sunk AzerbaijanCredit: Getty
Soucek had only bagged four goals in his previous 29 internationals.
France were held 1-1 at home by Ukraine, despite Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann rewarding the World Cup champions’ confident start with a brilliant curling goal.
Serhiy Sydorchuk’s deflected shot wrong-footed home keeper Hugo Lloris for Ukraine’s 57th minute leveller.
Elsewhere, Maksim Medvedev’s freak own goal clinched Portugal’s 1-0 win over Azerbaijan.
Keeper Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev impressively defied Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Co but it was his punch on 37 minutes that went in off defender Medvedev.
The Republic of Ireland were rocked in the same group, losing 3-2 in Serbia.
Alan Browne headed the Republic in front but Dusan Vlahovic and sub  Aleksandar Mitrovic’s two goals – one of them an incredible lob – turned the game.
James Collins replied late on but the Irish had little answer to the three assists for Serbia captain and Ajax star Dusan Tadic.
Arsenal loanee Martin Odegaard went off injured and Manchester United target Erling Haaland drew a blank despite playing the first 62 minutes as Norway won 3-0 in Gibraltar.
The Norwegians wore T-shirts with the message “Human rights on and off the pitch” to show support for Qatar migrant workers ahead of next year’s finals in the Middle Eastern nation.
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Alexander Sorloth, Cristian Thorstvedt and Jonas Svensson netted.
Slovenia humbled 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia 1-0.
Nikola Vlasic hit the post before Sandi Lovric bagged a 15th-minute clincher at the other end, a heavily-deflected shot past Dominik Livakovic.
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WORLD CUP hosts Qatar will be placed in a EUROPEAN qualifying group to make them better-prepared for the 2022 tournament.
The Gulf state is automatically qualified for the first winter World Cup, which starts in November 2022.

Following the draw for World Cup qualifying, hosts Qatar have now been added to a European qualifying group to give them match practiceCredit: foto-net

Cristiano Ronaldo netted for Juventus against Barcelona on Tuesday night and for Portugal will now also be targeting Qatar in a ‘group friendly’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

But Uefa chiefs have agreed to add Qatar to the five-team Group A of qualifying, which consists of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Serbia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan.
While Qatar’s games will be friendlies, they will play the “spare” side in each set of games, ensuring that all five teams play 10 games between the start of qualifying in March and next November.
Uefa agreed a similar arrangement for Euro 2016 hosts France, to ensure Les Bleus had proper match-practice before hosting that tournament.
This will, though, be the first time a side which is from outside Europe and not a member of Uefa will have been integrated into the continent’s qualification fixture list.

But the Qataris, however, will not be able to test out their newly-built stadia or the training grounds they are constructing for the showpiece tournament.
Qatar have already completed five of their eight stadiums with work continuing apace on the others.
Instead, Uefa confirmed: “Qatar will play its ‘home’ matches in Europe in order to allow short travel times for their opponents.

“As the next FIFA World Cup host nation, Qatar has already qualified for the tournament – meaning any results involving Qatar will not count towards qualification.”

Qatar’s first games as a temporary “European” team will be “home” matches with Luxembourg and Azerbaijan, followed by a trip to Ireland, in March.
The Qataris will be making their debut in a World Cup when they play host to the final 32-team tournament and are determined to prove they are worthy of the honour, both on and off the pitch.

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