🇪🇺 Italy and Denmark cruise to victory; Hungary edge unlucky Serbia | OneFootball

Another international Saturday took place with a host of Euro 2024 qualifiers. Here is what went down

History made as Italy down Malta

Scorer: Bonaventura 22′, Berardi 45+1′, 63, Frattesi 90+3′

Italy closed in on Group C leaders England with a dominant victory over Malta.

It was a slow start from the reigning European champions, and the home fans shared their frustrations with boos until one of Serie A’s top midfielders made his mark.

Giacomo Bonaventura picked up the ball at the edge of the box and curled it into the top right corner for his first international goal. At 34, he is the oldest Italian to score his first goal for the national team.

While Malta pulled off a composed defensive performance, a second moment of quality from Italy doubled the lead before the break as Domenico Berardi curled home inside the box.

Coming out after the break, Italy were again somewhat flatfooted and multiple miscommunications in the box saw the ball miss the net.

That was until a little bit of luck arrived and Berardi secured a brace for the first time on international duty by slamming home a loose ball in the box.

Additionally, Destiny Udogie made his debut for the national team and Davide Frattesi added a late fourth off the bench.

Italy finished with four shots on target and four goals. They sit three points behind England while Malta are last.

Denmark cruise past Kazakhstan

Scorers: Wind 36′, Skov 45+1′, 48′; Vorogovskiy 58′

Manchester United stars Rasmus Højlund and Christian Eriksen helped Denmark cruise past Kazakhstan at home yet neither Premier League star was able to find the net.

Jonas Wind opened the scoring with the hosts’ first attempt on target after just over half an hour. The Wolfsburg forward now has nine goals in 10 games for club and country.

And while Kazakhstan put up a stubborn first-half performance, Denmark doubled things just before the break through Robert Skov as he blasted home an insurance marker from point-blank range.

The TSG Hoffenheim player then secured a brace only minutes after the restart. The aforementioned Manchester United stars played a part in both of his goals with a brilliant assist each.

Substitute Yan Vorogovskiy did erase any clean sheet hopes after pulling one back for the visitors within minutes of entering the game.

Denmark sit second in Group H, level on points with Slovenia, while Kazakhstan are fourth.

Hungary on the brink after beating Serbia

Scorers: Varga 20′, Sallai 34′; Pavlović 33′

The top two teams in Group G went head-to-head with Hungary earning their second victory over Serbia this qualifying campaign.

The hosts’ go-t0 man in attack again proved to be in the form of his life for the national team, as Barnabas Varga scored his third goal in his third start this campaign.

Serbia hit back through Strahinja Pavlović, but things wouldn’t remain level for long when Roland Sallai impressively volleyed home into the top corner to regain the lead less than 60 seconds later.

The visitors later had two goals ruled out for offside in a five-minute span during the second half as they ultimately fell short.

Hungary sit top of the group and are on the brink of qualification, three points above Serbia, and have a game in hand.

Smyth stars as hosts find their shooting boots

Scorers: Smyth 5′, Magennis 11′, McMenamin 80′

Northern Ireland claimed their second win of Euro 2024 qualifying as they beat San Marino 3-0.

The hosts got off to the best possible start in this basement battle as Paul Smyth volleyed in a stunner after only five minutes.

Michael O’Neill’s side then doubled their lead a few moments later as Josh Magennis slid in and tapped home from close range.

Smyth thought he got his second of the game on the half hour mark but his brilliantly smart finish was ruled out by VAR for offside.

Into the second half and Dale Taylor almost added a third for Northern Ireland on the hour mark but his one-on-one effort squirmed just wide of the left-hand post.

A third did come in the final 10 minutes though as Josh McMenamin fired after a rebound from the San Marino goalkeeper.

Sunday sees Norway take on Spain in a crucial Group A clash whilst Wales have it all to do when they host Croatia.