Defending European champions Italy certified for Euro 2024 after a goalless draw towards Ukraine in Germany.
The purpose ensured Italy completed second in Group C, degree on 14 factors with third-placed Ukraine however with a greater head-to-head document after a tense affair that might have gone both approach.
Ukraine, who’ve by no means crushed Italy, had sturdy claims for a stoppage-time penalty after Bryan Cristante’s clumsy problem on Mykhailo Mudryk however nothing was given.
Ukraine can nonetheless e book a spot at a fourth consecutive European Championship by way of the play-offs in March. The play-off draw will happen on Thursday in Nyon.
In the meantime, Italy ended six factors behind Group C winners England, who had sealed qualification after beating Luciano Spalletti’s aspect 3-1 at Wembley in October.
How Italy secured their Euro 2024 place
Picture:
Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma celebrates reaching Euro 2024
The match on the BayArena in Leverkusen acquired off to a full of life begin however each goalkeepers – Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Ukraine’s Anatoliy Trubin – held agency in an entertaining conflict.
Italy, who will make their eighth consecutive look on the Euros, had most possession and created extra possibilities however Ukraine remained composed as they regarded to counter-attack.
Italy’s Federico Chiesa had an opportunity to interrupt the impasse within the seventh minute however his effort from contained in the field flew narrowly over the bar earlier than Donnarumma denied Ukraine an opener seven minutes later by preserving out Georgiy Sudakov’s low shot.
Defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo then almost nodded dwelling for Italy from a nook simply earlier than the half-hour mark earlier than Trubin pulled off a surprising save to disclaim Davide Frattesi.
Italy continued to dominate after the break however Ukraine’s probing elevated and Mudryk got here shut within the 66th minute solely to be denied by Donnarumma who pulled off one other advantageous save.
Slovenia and Czech Republic additionally qualify for Euro 2024
Slovenia might be on the Euros for the primary time in almost 1 / 4 of a century after ending second in Group H behind Denmark.
A late aim from Benjamin Verbic noticed Slovenia beat Kazakhstan 2-1 and qualify for the event for the primary time since Euro 2000.
The Czech Republic will be part of Slovenia in Germany subsequent summer season after beating 10-player Moldova 3-0 at dwelling to seal second spot in Group E.
Albania completed as Group E winners after a goalless dwelling draw towards the Faroe Islands meant they completed above the Czech Republic because of a superior head-to-head document.