The second round of qualifying games for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 began today: how did our Nerazzurri internationals perform? It is worth mentioning Pašalić’s goal, which sealed the win for Croatia, and Iličić’s, which wasn’t enough for Slovenia to beat Miranchuk’s Russia. Let’s see in detail how things went.
Mario PAŠALIĆ scored the winner for Croatia against Cyprus. The Nerazzurri no. 88 found the back of the net on 40 and played for 66 minutes.
Next fixture: Croatia-Malta (30/3) in Rijeka.
On 24 March, Slovenia-Croatia ended 1-0 (Pašalić featured as a substitute from the 83rd minute).
Aleksey Miranchuk with Russia and Josip ILIČIĆ with Slovenia faced each other in Šoci: the Russian won 2-1 (he came on in the 49th minute) over the Slovenian, who played the full 90 minutes and scored the goal that reopened the game in the 36th minute.
Next fixture for Miranchuk: Slovakia-Russia (30/03) in Trnava.
On 24 March, Malta-Russia ended 1-3 (Aleksey came on in the 57th minute and provided the assist for Russia’s third goal).
Next fixture for Iličić: Cyprus-Slovenia (30/03) in Nicosia.
On 24 March, Slovenia-Croazia ended 1-0 (Josip played for 87 minutes).
Marten de ROON‘s the Netherlands beat Latvia 2-0, the Nerazzurri no. 15 didn’t take to the pitch.
Next fixture: Gibraltar-The Netherlands (30/3) in Gibraltar.
On 24 March, Turkey-The Netherlands ended 4-2 (de Roon played for 62 minutes).
The matches scheduled for SUNDAY 28/03
Matteo PESSINA and Rafael TOLOI with the Azzurri will face Bulgaria in Sofia (kick-off at 20.45 CEST).
Following fixture: Lituania-Italy (31/03) in Vilnius.
Match played: 25/03 Italia 2-0 Northern Ireland (Pessina featured as a substitute, coming on in the 84th minute, while Toloi wasn’t featured on the team sheet).
Berat DJIMSITI will face England with Albania in Tirana (kick-off at 18 CEST).
Following fixture: 25/03 Albania-Inghilterra (28/03) in Tirana and San Marino-Albania (31/03) in San Marino.
Match played: Andorra 0-1 Albania (Djimsiti played the whole match).
Remo FREULER will face Lituania with Switzerland in St Gallen at 20.45 CEST.
Following fixture: (friendly match) Switzerland-Finland (31/3) in St Gallen.
Match played: 25/03 Bulgaria 1-3 Svizzera (Freuler played for 86 minutes).
Joakim MÆHLE will face Moldavia with Denmark in Herning (kick-off at 18 CEST).
Following fixture: Austria-Denmark (31/3) in Vienna.
Match played: 25/03 Israel 0-2 Denmark (Mæhle played for 86).
Viktor KOVALENKO and Ruslan MALINOVSKYI will play in Kyiv with Ukraine, where they are set to face Finland; kick-off at 20.45 CEST.
Following fixture: Ukraine-Kazakistan (31/3) in Kyiv.
Match played: 24/03 France 1-1 Ukraine (Malinovskyi completed 90 minutes in the draw, while Kovalenko came on as a substitute in the 79th minute).
Robin GOSENS and his Germany will take on Romania in Bucarest. The kick-off of the match is at 20.45 CEST.
Following fixture: Germany-North Macedonia (31/3) in Duisburg.
Match played: 25/03 Germania 3-0 Iceland (Gosens wasn’t featured on the team sheet).