Every single qualification episode from now on will either see a team qualify for the DWC finals, or for its Intercontinental play-off (where one team from each continent battles for a spot in the finals).
Today it's back to Europe, this is how qualification has gone so far:
Today it's back to Europe, this is how qualification has gone so far:
You can see that in every group, the top two have finished in the top two spots. However, if any group is going to change that, Group E looks a likely candidate. Greece stand out as the least strong of the nine top seeds - caused by a run to the 2016 quarter-finals, which led to favourable draws since. In their group they face Hungary and Poland, who both caused upsets to win their qualifying groups last year. Czechia should be in the mix as well, despite failing to mount a serious qualification push thus far.
Czechia's hopes of rectifying this were blunted a bit by a disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Hungary. Greece needed a brilliant Kostas Fortounis free kick to overcome Gibraltar 1-0, whilst Poland had to settle for a goalless draw away to Crimea.
Czechia's hopes of rectifying this were blunted a bit by a disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Hungary. Greece needed a brilliant Kostas Fortounis free kick to overcome Gibraltar 1-0, whilst Poland had to settle for a goalless draw away to Crimea.
The group's two underdogs were both unfortunate to register 2-1 defeats, Crimea losing against Czechia and Gibraltar against Hungary. The first signs appeared that Greece may find this group a challenge, as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Poland, who were devastating from range.
A goal from the halfway line by Hungary's Stefan Scepovic set up a fantastic tight tussle against Poland, and it was his second goal that won the match 2-1. Greece claimed a simple 2-0 win over Crimea, but the surprise of the round saw Gibraltar score from corner, free kick and penalty to beat Czechia 3-1.
Czechia recovered in the best possible way, with two late goals to beat the group's top seeds Greece 2-0. Hungary maintained their 100% record with a 2-0 win over Crimea, whilst Poland eased to a 4-0 walloping of Gibraltar.
Hungary just go from strength to strength, as they win their fifth match from five with a 4-0 trouncing of Greece, who are now firmly in crisis. This gave either Poland or Czechia the chance to be second at the halfway point as they met, and it was the latter who did it, winning 1-0 courtesy of a curling effort from Miroslav Stoch. The group's two underdogs met, and Crimea claimed their first win, triumphing 1-0.
Five rounds of games gone, five to go - here is the table:
It looks like a tight battle for second, as Hungary have a very comfortable gap at the top.
The top two did battle next, and Hungary looked on course for yet another win as Davide Lanzafame blasted them into the lead. However, Czechia rallied, and Michael Krmencik's effort ensured a 1-1 draw that signalled Hungary's first dropped points. This meant Poland would go second with a win, and they emphatically managed that, hammering 10-man Crimea 6-0. Gibraltar looked like they were going to add to Greece's misery as their match remained scoreless, but two goals in the final quarter of an hour led to a 2-0 Greek win.
Hungary marched on, although a 1-0 win over Gibraltar wasn't their most convincing win so far. Greece hauled themselves back into contention by beating Poland 1-0, a win slightly against the run of play, but one that crucially saw them overtake their opponents. Czechia travelled to Crimea hoping to fend off Greece for second place, but instead they could not find a way through a packed defence, and ultimately lost 1-0, thanks to a Ruslan Platon penalty.
All of which moved Hungary single win away from qualification. However, they faced a stern test in Poland, and a stunning goal and assist from Arvydas Novikovas led Poland to a 2-0 win, finally inflicting Hungary's first dropped points. Czechia took on Gibraltar knowing defeat was not an option, and their were able to hold on for a 1-0 win, partly thanks to Gibraltar playing over an hour with 10 men. Greece found Crimea a tough nut to crack, at least until the 82nd minute when André Simoes unleashed a venomous strike into the top corner. This preceded a Crimean collapse, and the final score was 4-0.
The top two did battle next, and Hungary looked on course for yet another win as Davide Lanzafame blasted them into the lead. However, Czechia rallied, and Michael Krmencik's effort ensured a 1-1 draw that signalled Hungary's first dropped points. This meant Poland would go second with a win, and they emphatically managed that, hammering 10-man Crimea 6-0. Gibraltar looked like they were going to add to Greece's misery as their match remained scoreless, but two goals in the final quarter of an hour led to a 2-0 Greek win.
Hungary marched on, although a 1-0 win over Gibraltar wasn't their most convincing win so far. Greece hauled themselves back into contention by beating Poland 1-0, a win slightly against the run of play, but one that crucially saw them overtake their opponents. Czechia travelled to Crimea hoping to fend off Greece for second place, but instead they could not find a way through a packed defence, and ultimately lost 1-0, thanks to a Ruslan Platon penalty.
All of which moved Hungary single win away from qualification. However, they faced a stern test in Poland, and a stunning goal and assist from Arvydas Novikovas led Poland to a 2-0 win, finally inflicting Hungary's first dropped points. Czechia took on Gibraltar knowing defeat was not an option, and their were able to hold on for a 1-0 win, partly thanks to Gibraltar playing over an hour with 10 men. Greece found Crimea a tough nut to crack, at least until the 82nd minute when André Simoes unleashed a venomous strike into the top corner. This preceded a Crimean collapse, and the final score was 4-0.
Hungary this time faced Crimea, and this time they claimed the win they needed as they sailed to an easy 2-0 victory. Greece and Czechia played out a very cagey 0-0 draw, meaning that Poland rose to second place as they hit three unanswered goals past Gibraltar.
This is the table with one game to go:
The final round of fixtures promises us some drama. Greece have to host Hungary, whilst Czechia travel to Poland. A win for Poland effectively secures their play-off spot, but anything else opens the door for Greece. If Greece fail to win, then Czechia will jump up with a victory.
Greece vs Hungary
For a second time, Hungary have upset the odds and earned automatic qualification for the DWC. Can they now ensure Greece are the first top seeds to get eliminated in European qualification? The match was all Greece, but Hungary's defence played a blinding game. Despite very few chances the other way, Hungary held on to claim a 0-0 draw. This leaves Greece teetering...
Poland vs Czechia
Everyone is still in play... Poland will get to the play-offs with a draw, whilst Czechia now need a three-goal win to make it - anything else and Greece finish second. Both sides created decent chances, but a combination of great goalkeeping and poor finishing meant that this too drifted to a 0-0 draw, but one which confirms that Poland make the play-offs!
At least there was a goal in the group's other match, as Gibraltar finished off with a 1-0 win against Crimea.
Final table
Greece vs Hungary
For a second time, Hungary have upset the odds and earned automatic qualification for the DWC. Can they now ensure Greece are the first top seeds to get eliminated in European qualification? The match was all Greece, but Hungary's defence played a blinding game. Despite very few chances the other way, Hungary held on to claim a 0-0 draw. This leaves Greece teetering...
Poland vs Czechia
Everyone is still in play... Poland will get to the play-offs with a draw, whilst Czechia now need a three-goal win to make it - anything else and Greece finish second. Both sides created decent chances, but a combination of great goalkeeping and poor finishing meant that this too drifted to a 0-0 draw, but one which confirms that Poland make the play-offs!
At least there was a goal in the group's other match, as Gibraltar finished off with a 1-0 win against Crimea.
Final table
That was an enjoyably close group, as Hungary's triumph means that of the seven DWC qualifiers so far, only England and Italy have done so whilst being top seeds in their group.
So far it's been all European and African winners - next time we're going to get two Asian qualifiers as the final stage there gets underway!
So far it's been all European and African winners - next time we're going to get two Asian qualifiers as the final stage there gets underway!