🌍 WCQs: Portugal suffer shock defeat; Spain qualify; Germany beat Armenia | OneFootball

There was a dramatic batch of European qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup on Sunday.

Here’s what went down.

Portugal in the play-offs after late Serbia winner

Scorers: Renato Sanches 2′; Tadić 33′, Mitrovic 90′

Portugal were pipped to top spot in Group A by a late winning goal from Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The hosts needed just one more point to seal automatic qualification for the World Cup and they made a dream start in Lisbon when Renato Sanches broke the deadlock after just two minutes.

But Dušan Tadić equalised for Serbia midway through the first half when his effort was spilled into the net by Portugal goalkeeper Patrício.

And then in the dying minutes, Tadic was the provider as Mitrovic headed in a dramatic winning goal at the back post to seal Serbia’s spot at the World Cup.

Portugal will enter the play-offs.

Late winner books Spain’s trip to Qatar

Scorers: Morata 86′

A late winning goal gave Spain victory and sealed top spot in Group B after a nervy game with Sweden.

It took until the dying minutes for Spain to finally get their noses in front in Seville, with Alvaro Morata finishing calmly after a 20-yard Dani Olmo effort had come back off the crossbar.

That result means La Roja have qualified for Qatar, and Sweden are in the play-offs.

Ireland finish the year on a high

Scorers: Duffy 67′, Ogbene 75′, Robinson 88′

Republic of Ireland’s final fixture of 2021 ended with an impressive victory over Luxembourg.

Luxembourg thought they’d broken the deadlock in the second half when Daniel Sinani slotted home, but the goal was ruled out for a push on Shane Duffy in the build-up.

And Duffy soon nodded Ireland in front when he rose highest to meet Joshua Cullen’s free-kick into the box.

The second Ireland goal came soon after, with Chiedozie Ogbene finishing off a lovely team move involving Jason Knight.

And they weren’t done there, with Callum Robinson sealing the victory with a third goal late on.

From earlier

Germany ease to victory over Armenia

Scorers: Mkhitaryan (p) 59′; Havertz 15′, Gündoğan (p) 45+4′, 50′, Hofmann 64′

Germany had already qualified as group winners before they took on Armenia in Yerevan.

But nevertheless, Kai Havertz gave the visitors the lead after 15 minutes when he finished after Jonas Hofmann’s cut-back.

Hansi Flick’s side were then awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time when Taron Voskanyan brought down Florian Neuhaus, and İlkay Gündoğan converted the spot-kick for 2-0.

Five minutes into the second half Gündoğan scored again from open play to make it 3-0.

Armenia then pulled one back from the penalty spot, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan converting after Neuhaus had brought down Davit Terteryan in the box.

But Hofmann soon got on the scoresheet to restore Germany’s three-goal lead.

Other results

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Join us again on Monday when the World Cup qualifiers continue.