With a rush of 7 teams qualifying in the last two updates, we suddenly have 25 through to the DWC finals. Today's episode will actually be the first in ages, and the last, where no-one qualifies for either the finals or the Intercontinental play-off. That's because we're only going to cover the first legs of the four European play-offs.
Firstly, here is a reminder of which teams qualified from their groups:
Firstly, here is a reminder of which teams qualified from their groups:
Teams in green are qualified, teams in yellow go into the play-offs. The second-placed team with the best record gets to progress straight to the Intercontinental play-offs, and this is the ranking of those teams:
So as mentioned before, Turkey will be Europe's representative in the Intercontinental play-off, which should be easier to get through than these play-offs. The remaining eight teams are randomly drawn against each other. Surely we won't see Germany drawn against Netherlands...?
Nope. But Germany, the 2017 DWC champions, do have a tough assignment in Switzerland, whilst Netherlands face a Poland side that regularly hold their own against bigger teams. Romania and Belgium could be well-matched, whilst Wales (who started the qualification campaign as a bottom-ranked side) should be pretty happy to draw Sweden - and vice versa.
So let's get stuck into the matches!
Germany vs Switzerland
It was a real shocker for Germany to slip behind Bulgaria in qualifying, and the draw hasn't been that kind to them, as Switzerland are the third-ranked team in these play-offs. The Swiss came through in the final qualifying group without a huge scare, and will be hoping to do better than last year when they blew being the top seed in their group.
So let's get stuck into the matches!
Germany vs Switzerland
It was a real shocker for Germany to slip behind Bulgaria in qualifying, and the draw hasn't been that kind to them, as Switzerland are the third-ranked team in these play-offs. The Swiss came through in the final qualifying group without a huge scare, and will be hoping to do better than last year when they blew being the top seed in their group.
The biggest surprise in the German line-up is the inclusion of Leon Bailey ahead of more experienced options. He immediately proves his value, however, as he heads home Marco Reus' cross in the 9th minute - remarkably, that was Germany's fifth shot. Switzerland stabilise, but they nearly go two behind as Bailey heads over from a corner. It's 1-0 at the break, as Switzerland's organised 4-4-1-1 prevents Germany from causing too much havoc.
This status quo persists in the second half, until the 80th minute. Switzerland have a throw-in in a dangerous area, but constant German pressure forces them back, and eventually they turn it over and break. Bailey runs at the defence, and curls a brilliant shot home to double his and Germany's tally! It takes a stunning block from Loris Benito to prevent Bailey getting his hat-trick, but a 2-0 final score sees Germany put one foot into the DWC finals.
This status quo persists in the second half, until the 80th minute. Switzerland have a throw-in in a dangerous area, but constant German pressure forces them back, and eventually they turn it over and break. Bailey runs at the defence, and curls a brilliant shot home to double his and Germany's tally! It takes a stunning block from Loris Benito to prevent Bailey getting his hat-trick, but a 2-0 final score sees Germany put one foot into the DWC finals.
Poland vs Netherlands
Poland were a surprise package in qualifying last year, although they couldn't get through the group stage in the finals. The Dutch, meanwhile, reached the quarter-finals, and were expected to be the first team to make it through this year. However, a stunning Gemmill-esquerun of form from Scotland surprised the Dutch and here they are.
Poland were a surprise package in qualifying last year, although they couldn't get through the group stage in the finals. The Dutch, meanwhile, reached the quarter-finals, and were expected to be the first team to make it through this year. However, a stunning Gemmill-esquerun of form from Scotland surprised the Dutch and here they are.
Poland start well, but the first real chance of the game sees Netherland's Steven Berghuis crash a shot against the crossbar. The game settles into a pattern whereby Netherlands have the ball, but both teams have the odd half-chance. The first clear effort comes when Berghuis floats a cross to the far post, and Hirving Lozano is there to acrobatically volley it home! It's the only goal as we reach the break.
In an effort to exploit the high Dutch back line, Poland switch to a 4-4-2 with a direct style. However, the result is that they struggle to match their opponents in midfield, and the Dutch are perfectly happy to dominate possession. Sub Tonny Vilhena nearly scores in added time, but otherwise chances are rare and the final score is 1-0. Given their general domination of the match, Netherlands may feel they could have ended with a bigger win.
Romania vs Belgium
Both of these sides made it through to the inaugural DWC finals, before failing to qualify last year. Similarly, both finished second behind a much stronger nation, England and Italy respectively, to end up in the play-offs.
Romania vs Belgium
Both of these sides made it through to the inaugural DWC finals, before failing to qualify last year. Similarly, both finished second behind a much stronger nation, England and Italy respectively, to end up in the play-offs.
An exceptionally dull start sees just one shot in the opening 30 minutes. This changes when a long ball puts Wesley through one-on-one, but his shot is straight at Jesús Fernández. However, it doesn't spark the game into life and we reach the break with no further chances.
There is little change in the second half. Just after the hour mark Belgium fail to clear a corner, and Romania eventually work it to Alexandru Mitrita, and his fearsome low shot beats Ochoa for the opening goal! This lead lasts all of two minutes, as Belgium equalise from a corner - Wesley's replacement Dieumerci Mbokani slotting home. A series of little injuries stall any momentum the game may have built up, and the teams eventually settle for a 1-1 draw. So, everything to play for next time!
There is little change in the second half. Just after the hour mark Belgium fail to clear a corner, and Romania eventually work it to Alexandru Mitrita, and his fearsome low shot beats Ochoa for the opening goal! This lead lasts all of two minutes, as Belgium equalise from a corner - Wesley's replacement Dieumerci Mbokani slotting home. A series of little injuries stall any momentum the game may have built up, and the teams eventually settle for a 1-1 draw. So, everything to play for next time!
Wales vs Sweden
The rule-change allowing players for Cardiff & Swansea to play for Wales has had an immediate effect, as they managed to pip Russia to a play-off spot, albeit with the least convincing record of any of the second-placed sides. Sweden were a bit better as they finished second behind Spain. This could be an interesting match-up between the two lowest-ranked teams in these play-offs.
The rule-change allowing players for Cardiff & Swansea to play for Wales has had an immediate effect, as they managed to pip Russia to a play-off spot, albeit with the least convincing record of any of the second-placed sides. Sweden were a bit better as they finished second behind Spain. This could be an interesting match-up between the two lowest-ranked teams in these play-offs.
Wales' Nathaniel Mendez-Laing immediately strains his hamstring, but it doesn't stop him firing into the top corner when Sweden give him too much space. He nearly adds an assist, as Josh Murphy's header flies narrowly wide. Overall, it's an attritional game, but one that Wales lead 1-0 at the break.
Just as they did in the first half, Wales score at the start of the second - a corner pings around the box, Leroy Fer's shot is blocked but it falls to Bobby Decordova-Reid and he poked into an unguarded net. Sweden get a free kick in a dangerous position, but it's cleared and Josh Murphy makes an unchallenged run from his own box into Sweden's. His shot is blocked but it comes to Victor Camarasa who rifles home a low shot for Wales' third! A shellshocked Sweden make changes to be more attacking, but they fail to threaten the Welsh defence, and a 3-0 victory sees Wales all-but secure their qualification!
Just as they did in the first half, Wales score at the start of the second - a corner pings around the box, Leroy Fer's shot is blocked but it falls to Bobby Decordova-Reid and he poked into an unguarded net. Sweden get a free kick in a dangerous position, but it's cleared and Josh Murphy makes an unchallenged run from his own box into Sweden's. His shot is blocked but it comes to Victor Camarasa who rifles home a low shot for Wales' third! A shellshocked Sweden make changes to be more attacking, but they fail to threaten the Welsh defence, and a 3-0 victory sees Wales all-but secure their qualification!
Full results
Well, well, well. The team who entered the play-offs as the lowest-ranked are the team who are best-placed to make it through to the finals. Germany are also well-set, but the Dutch need to be a little more careful. Romania and Belgium remain level, and their second leg could be the most exciting of all.
We'll have to wait a while to see how these games go, because we'll go through the remaining play-offs first - starting with Asia and Oceania next time!
We'll have to wait a while to see how these games go, because we'll go through the remaining play-offs first - starting with Asia and Oceania next time!