It's time for the final group from Europe! As you can see below, the groups so far have been pretty brutal, with plenty of surprises. In fact, only half of the top seeds have made it through so far:
Today's top seeds, Portugal, have an excellent record in qualifiers. They were the only team to win all 10 of their qualifiers in 2017, and also won their group handily last year. Their main threat is Switzerland, who will be smarting from failing to qualify for last year's event, missing out in the play-offs to Denmark. Given what we have seen so far, it's hard to rule out Slovenia or Montenegro, but it is hard to see Northern Ireland or Andorra doing anything more than gathering a handful of points.
Andorra got off to the perfect start as Sergio Leal's free kick took a huge deflection in against Slovenia. Their opponents came back strongly, and led 2-2, but in the final quarter of the game Andorra were given a penalty, and Leal tucked it away to secure a surprise draw. Incredibly, Northern Ireland managed the same feat as they came from 2-0 down to draw with Portugal. This was a round of surprises, and Montenegro provided one as Peter Orlandic's early header was enough to beat Switzerland 1-0.
Andorra got off to the perfect start as Sergio Leal's free kick took a huge deflection in against Slovenia. Their opponents came back strongly, and led 2-2, but in the final quarter of the game Andorra were given a penalty, and Leal tucked it away to secure a surprise draw. Incredibly, Northern Ireland managed the same feat as they came from 2-0 down to draw with Portugal. This was a round of surprises, and Montenegro provided one as Peter Orlandic's early header was enough to beat Switzerland 1-0.
Northern Ireland looked like they might follow that amazing result with a win, as they went 1-0 up away to Montenegro in the 72nd minute, but Montenegro's second goal from a corner allowed them to escape with a 1-1 draw. Portugal once again went 2-0 up, this time against Andorra, and this time held out for the win. Meanwhile, Switzerland's 1-0 win over Slovenia meant everyone in the group was off the mark.
With both of the group's minnows picking up 0-0s at home - Andorra against Montenegro and Northern Ireland against Switzerland respectively, the only goals in the third round of games came as Slovenia visited Portugal. Marcos Tavares put the visitors ahead with a nice volley, but Portugal stormed back to win 4-1, lead by a Jonas hat-trick.
Northern Ireland's unbeaten run looked like it could continue as Curtis Allen fired them ahead in the opening minute away to Slovenia, but eventually the hosts recovered to win 3-1. Switzerland's unconvincing campaign chugged along with a 1-0 win over Andorra, whilst Portugal continued to move through the gears as they beat Montenegro 3-0.
With both of the group's minnows picking up 0-0s at home - Andorra against Montenegro and Northern Ireland against Switzerland respectively, the only goals in the third round of games came as Slovenia visited Portugal. Marcos Tavares put the visitors ahead with a nice volley, but Portugal stormed back to win 4-1, lead by a Jonas hat-trick.
Northern Ireland's unbeaten run looked like it could continue as Curtis Allen fired them ahead in the opening minute away to Slovenia, but eventually the hosts recovered to win 3-1. Switzerland's unconvincing campaign chugged along with a 1-0 win over Andorra, whilst Portugal continued to move through the gears as they beat Montenegro 3-0.
Andorra got their first win as two brilliant goals from Leal saw them to a 2-0 win over poor Northern Ireland. Portugal and Switzerland traded first half penalties to go into the break level. The decisive goal came when Eduardo Salvio fired in from a corner to give Portugal a 2-1 victory. This opened up a chance to go second as Slovenia and Montenegro met, and it was the latter who took it with a 2-0 victory.
Here's the halfway table:
Portugal look good for qualification, as the teams below them descend into a dogfight for second.
Switzerland had the perfect chance to move back into second as they visited Montenegro, and they did exactly that as they claimed a 3-1 victory. Northern Ireland may be win-less, but they have been very sturdy. At least, until they faced Portugal, who handed them a 6-0 drubbing. Elsewhere, Slovenia's stuttering campaign continued to flounder as they were held 0-0 at home by Andorra.
Switzerland had the perfect chance to move back into second as they visited Montenegro, and they did exactly that as they claimed a 3-1 victory. Northern Ireland may be win-less, but they have been very sturdy. At least, until they faced Portugal, who handed them a 6-0 drubbing. Elsewhere, Slovenia's stuttering campaign continued to flounder as they were held 0-0 at home by Andorra.
Poor Northern Ireland again blew a 1-0 lead, this time going down 2-1 against Montenegro in a very even game. Switzerland had to fight back against Slovenia for a 1-1 draw which kept them second on goal difference. Elsewhere, Portugal had an easy time, beating 10-man Andorra 2-0.
Andorra's campaign has been highly impressive, and they claimed another great result as Miguel Ángel Luque's free kick earned a 1-0 win over Montenegro. Great news for Switzerland, who themselves were untroubled as they beat Northern Ireland 3-0. Portugal faced Slovenia needing a win for qualification, and it was Bas Dost who was the hero, with both goals in a 2-0 win.
Andorra's campaign has been highly impressive, and they claimed another great result as Miguel Ángel Luque's free kick earned a 1-0 win over Montenegro. Great news for Switzerland, who themselves were untroubled as they beat Northern Ireland 3-0. Portugal faced Slovenia needing a win for qualification, and it was Bas Dost who was the hero, with both goals in a 2-0 win.
Somewhat impressively, Andorra were still technically in as they faced Switzerland in their ninth game, although they needed a win to avoid elimination. Fousseyni Cissé struck to give Andorra that unlikely lead, but Guillaume Hoarau equalised for a 1-1 draw. It meant that Montenegro had to avoid defeat to Portugal to prevent Switzerland making the play-offs, and they were unable to do so as Jonas and Salvio were on target in a 2-0 Portuguese win. Elsewhere, Slovenia beat Northern Ireland 3-0 to get their first win since the last time they played the group's weaklings.
Here is the table with one game to go:
Here is the table with one game to go:
So as suggested above, there isn't anything to play for in the final round of games. But let's see how they go anyway...
Switzerland faced Portugal in the hope of ending their opponents' run of eight straight wins, and they were able to, as Miralem Sulejmani's penalty cancelled out Salvio's opener for a 1-1 draw. Elsewhere, there were two minor surprises as Slovenia and Northern Ireland claimed 2-0 wins over Montenegro and Andorra respectively.
Final table
Switzerland faced Portugal in the hope of ending their opponents' run of eight straight wins, and they were able to, as Miralem Sulejmani's penalty cancelled out Salvio's opener for a 1-1 draw. Elsewhere, there were two minor surprises as Slovenia and Northern Ireland claimed 2-0 wins over Montenegro and Andorra respectively.
Final table
That was one of the easiest qualifications we've seen, as Portugal continue to be masters of qualification. Switzerland didn't have to do much in the end, as Montenegro completely crumbled. However, their record of 16 points left Switzerland nowhere near a chance of making the Intercontinental play-offs:
Turkey are rewarded for their performance by going into the Intercontinental play-off, which should be pretty straightforward for a European team. By contrast, the eight remaining second-placed teams go into the European play-offs, which are always difficult to navigate. With them being unseeded, anyone can draw anyone.
From now on we start finishing up in continents! Next time we see which four teams make it through the South American qualifiers!
From now on we start finishing up in continents! Next time we see which four teams make it through the South American qualifiers!