The Polish national team, led by captain Robert Lewandowski took an important step towards the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday evening. In a head-to-head in Tirana, the Poles defeated the Albanian team 1-0 (0-0), ousting the Southeast Europeans from the play-off spot. Karol Swiderski scored the golden goal for Poland in the 77th minute, Lewandowski played the full 90 minutes.
Play halted due to crowd trouble
However, the match was overshadowed by disturbances in the stands. Immediately after Poland's opening goal, spectators threw bottles onto the pitch. Referee Clement Turpin stopped the game for 20 minutes, and when play resumed Lewandowski and Co. kept their composure and held on for the win. Group I still remains fiercely contested, and coach Paulo Sousa's team (17 points) could even catch leaders England (20) in the remaining two games in November, away to Andorra and at home against Hungary. Albania are now back in third place on 15 points.
Sabitzer's Austria lose to Denmark
The Austrian team, including Bayern's new signing Marcel Sabitzer, on the other hand, blew their last chance to reach the World Cup finals via the qualifying group, but nevertheless remain in the race to get to Qatar: On Tuesday evening, they lost 1-0 (0-0) to the still unbeaten Danes, with Joakim Maehle's 53rd-minute strike proving to be enough on the night. As a result, Franco Foda's team can no longer reach the second place play-off spot in the group in the remaining two games against Israel and Moldova, but still have a good chance of reaching the World Cup play-offs thanks to last year's Nations League group win.
Sarr's Senegal qualify for final qualifying round
Bouna Sarr has reached the final qualifying stage for the 2022 World Cup with Senegal ahead of schedule. In the second qualifying round, the Lions of Teranga won 3-1 (1-1) against Namibia in Johannesburg, their fourth win in their fourth match in their group. Now on 12 points, they can no longer be ousted from first place. Sarr played the full 90 minutes, and the man of the match for Senegal was Famara Diedhiou: The striker scored all three goals for his team (22nd/51st/84th), with Peter Shalulile only managing to claw one back for Namibia in the 27th minute. The Senegalese team can now use the remaining two matches in mid-November, away against Togo and at home against Congo, to prepare for the final qualifying round, which will take place in March 2022.
Tillman scores again for the U21s
A second U21 appearance, and a second goal for Malik Tillman! The Bayern forward smashed the ball into the top corner in the 32nd minute of the DFB youngsters' 5-1 (2-1) demolition of Hungary in Szeged to make it 2-0. Kevin Schade (5th/90th), Erik Shuranov (53rd) and Tom Krauß (66th) netted for Germany, with Tamas Kiss (39th) scoring Hungary's only goal. With four wins from four games, Germany lead their qualification group for the 2023 U21 European Championship. Their next opponents will be Poland and San Marino in November.
Germany have already booked their spot at Qatar 2022:
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