The Blues signed a new draw in their qualifications for the World Cup-2022, Saturday in Ukraine (1-1), struggling to evacuate the doubts that accompany them since the Euro.
Seven matches took place on Saturday evening as part of the fifth day of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In Group D, France could not do better than 1-1 in Ukraine. For their part, the Netherlands also pocketed three points in their clash against Montenegro, winning 4-0, thanks in part to a brace from Memphis Depay.
The world champions, not very flamboyant in attack and fragile in defense, stretched their bad streak to five games, conceding the opener for the fifth time in a row before reacting painfully, thanks to Anthony Martial (50th), author of his second goal in the selection.
If Didier Deschamps and his players tirelessly repeat that the early elimination in the eighth in the Euro is digested, the evening performance, without idea or collective revolt, thickens the concerns, three days after the sluggish return against Bosnia-Herzegovina (1 -1) and six months after a comparable first leg (1-1).
It also plunges the Blues into a rather precarious accounting situation.
With two wins and three draws, the Blues certainly retain their first place in Group D and their lead of four points over the Ukrainians. But a new opponent is threatening: Finland.
Victorious in the afternoon of Kazakhstan (1-0), the Finns have two matches less than the Blues and are only four points behind, before going to Lyon on Tuesday (8:45 p.m.) to challenge the champions of the world.
The Netherlands, attractive on Saturday in Eindhoven, kept up the race to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, dominating Montenegro 4-0, thanks in particular to a very good Memphis Depay, who scored twice.
In Group F, Israel made short work of Austria with a 5-2 home victory. Israeli goals were scored by Manor Solomon (5th), Munas Dabbur (20th), Eran Zahavi (33rd, 90 + 1) and Shon Weissman (59th). The Austrians slashed the scoreline before half-time through Christoph Baumgartner (42nd), with Marko Arnautovic keeping his hopes up as he reduced his own to one goal in the 55th minute. .
For their part, the Scots also got the better of Moldova via an achievement by Lyndon Dykes (14th).
With 5 wins in 5 games, the Danes are well ahead of Group F with five points ahead of Israel and seven over Scotland.
Forced to come out on top after Norway’s victory earlier in the afternoon, the Dutch were present in Group G on their home turf against Montenegro. Memphis Depay (38 ‘, 62’), Georginio Wijnaldum (70 ‘) and Cody Gakpo (76’) helped Louis Van Gaal’s troops pocket three valuable points in the fight for first place.
Traveling to Gibraltar, Turkey fully intended to take back control of Group G after the 90 minutes. Long silent, the Turks will unlock the scorer in the 54th minute via Ibrahim Dervisoglu before Hakan Calhanoglu doubles the bet ten minutes later (65th). By making 0-3, Kenan Karaman would give the score its final pace (83rd).
Three teams stand shoulder to shoulder at the top of this group G after five games. The Turks lead the dance with eleven points, just ahead of the Netherlands and Norway with ten points.
In order to maintain contact with Russia in Group H, the Croats had to win on Slovakia. Croatia had to wait until the end of the game before finding the opening thanks to Marcelo Brozovic, who scored the only goal of the match (86th).
Russia ranks first in Group H with 10 points tied with Croatia. Slovenia and Slovakia follow with seven and six units respectively.
The group’s third meeting was between the Faroe Islands and Denmark. Leaders of the group before this fifth day, the Danes held their rank thanks to a goal from Jonas Wind at the very end of the game (85th), to make 0-1.
