'Could do better' European teams so-so in World Cup Qualifiers

'Could do better' European teams so-so in World Cup Qualifiers
By Christopher Cummins with Agencies
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button

After the highs come the lows as Euro 2016 champions Portugal discovered in the first World Cup qualifying match against Switzerland.

ADVERTISEMENT

After the highs come the lows as Euro 2016 champions Portugal discovered in the first World Cup qualifying match against Switzerland.

The Swiss pulled off a 2-0 victory.

Still you know who was out injured for Portugal.

Portugal lost to Switzerland while France struggled vs. Belarus. Podcast: https://t.co/xGt4RJLC4jpic.twitter.com/dEbX7MsbOg

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 7, 2016

Coach Fernando Santos spoke after the match:“Last year when I got the job the team had lost one game and then we had seven consecutive victories and we finished first. Obviously we are not happy, we have lots of stuff to improve. We have to talk about this.”

It is not all doom and gloom for Portugal their next two matches are against Andorra and the Faroe Islands.

France, beaten by Portugal in 2016 Euro final, travelled to Belarus in Group A where they were held to a stale 0-0 draw.

I could prove costly as the Dutch and the Swedes are also in the group. France will be hoping to get back on track in the next match against Bulgaria.

Italy kept to the script and travelled to Israel in Group G coming home with a 3-1 victory.

Israel v Italy, 1-3 Match Highlightshttps://t.co/3B2YQ0ovIhpic.twitter.com/J6NXSlYlWl

— Calciomercatocom(En) (@CmdotCom_En) September 5, 2016

Next up for Italy is a mega match against Spain.

Diego Costa, David Silva and Alvaro Morata all scored twice as Spain trounced Liechtenstein 8-0.

Different match altogether coming up against Italy.

Germany opened their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a textbook 3-0 win over Norway in Group C. Thomas Muller scored twice for the world champions.

The Czech Republic next for Germany.

England came away with a 1-0 win against Slovakia, but the only goal of the game came in the 95th minute against Slovakia’s ten men.

Slovakia v England Betting: Three Lions to start the Allardyce era with a win https://t.co/NaoD9hBpg4pic.twitter.com/FaieSUvucF

— Goal (@goal) September 2, 2016

England take on Malta in the next match.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Swiss bobsledder in recovery following emergency surgery

Ukrainian teams to boycott UEFA competitions after ban on Russian youth sides is lifted

Women's World Cup: Philippines stun co-hosts New Zealand with 1-0 victory