The last couple of episodes involved teams qualifying for the Intercontinental play-off, and the one before that was the first legs of play-offs in Europe. This means it's been a while since anyone has actually qualified for the finals... but that changes today, as we conclude European qualifying!
These are the results following the first legs:
These are the results following the first legs:
So let's crack on with the second legs. We'll go through the games in ascending order of how close they are. Which means we start in Gothenburg...
Sweden (0) vs Wales (3)
What looked like a close match-up between the play-offs two lowest-ranked teams turned into a procession for Wales, who seem on course for a DWC debut appearance. Of course, they are a very different team to before, with players from Welsh clubs in the English leagues now eligible for selection.
Sweden switch to a 4-3-3, with centre-back Alexander Milosevic making way for midfielder Serge-Junior Martinsson Ngouali. They also replace Markus Rosenberg, Gudmundur Thórarinsson and David Moberg-Karlsson with Henok Goitom, Behrang Safari and Chinedu Obasi. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is still carrying a knock, so Luciano Narsingh starts for Wales, who are otherwise unchanged, unsurprisingly.
Sweden (0) vs Wales (3)
What looked like a close match-up between the play-offs two lowest-ranked teams turned into a procession for Wales, who seem on course for a DWC debut appearance. Of course, they are a very different team to before, with players from Welsh clubs in the English leagues now eligible for selection.
Sweden switch to a 4-3-3, with centre-back Alexander Milosevic making way for midfielder Serge-Junior Martinsson Ngouali. They also replace Markus Rosenberg, Gudmundur Thórarinsson and David Moberg-Karlsson with Henok Goitom, Behrang Safari and Chinedu Obasi. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is still carrying a knock, so Luciano Narsingh starts for Wales, who are otherwise unchanged, unsurprisingly.
Sweden's changes see them having much more of the ball than Wales, but they continue to struggle to create chances, and just before the break Wales get the goal that cements their progression, as Josh Murphy's cross is nodded in by Harry Arter.
It's a desperately poor second half. Sweden are the stronger team in it, and go close twice with free kicks that clip the woodwork. Goitom heads a late chance from another set piece wide, and the final whistle goes to confirm that Wales have completed the journey to their first Draft World Cup!
Switzerland (0) vs Germany (2)
The first leg here could have got quite difficult for Germany, but Leon Bailey came through with two goals, after failing to make an appearance in the qualifying group.
Switzerland make just the one change, Guillaume Hoarau replacing Roger Assalé up front. Germany, meanwhile, are unchanged.
The first leg here could have got quite difficult for Germany, but Leon Bailey came through with two goals, after failing to make an appearance in the qualifying group.
Switzerland make just the one change, Guillaume Hoarau replacing Roger Assalé up front. Germany, meanwhile, are unchanged.
One away goal from Germany leaves the Swiss needing four goals, so the last thing the Swiss needed to do was to forget where to stand, and allow James Rodríguez's simple ball over the top to leave Bailey a simple tap-in for his third of the tie - which is exactly what happened. And just a couple of minutes later Bailey has yet another - stealing in ahead of Loris Benito and firing beyond a hapless Heinz Lindner. Switzerland do fire back when Marvin Spielmann cuts inside and curls a delicious shot into the bottom corner. The only other action before the break is David Alaba being forced off by injury.
Switzerland also change their left back, as Benito's terrible day is ended prematurely. The second half is dull, as the game heads towards the result everyone knows is coming. Germany add their third of the day. It's an odd goal, and not just because it wasn't scored by Bailey! Rodríguez hits the bar with a free kick, and from the rebound Swiss sub Sylvan Widmer hits it against Robert Lewandowski, the ball squirting into the bottom corner. There is little further action, and Germany triumph 3-1 on the day, 5-1 on aggregate.
Netherlands (1) vs Poland (0)
Just the single goal last time, but overall the Netherlands looked comfortable and well-placed to make their third consecutive DWC finals. Poland have come back from the brink before, though, and away goals will be in their favour should this be a high-scoring affair.
The Dutch dominated the first leg, but only got one goal for their efforts. As a result, striker Nicolai Jorgensen is replaced by Kasper Dolberg. Poland didn't play well before, but surprisingly they stick with the same XI.
Just the single goal last time, but overall the Netherlands looked comfortable and well-placed to make their third consecutive DWC finals. Poland have come back from the brink before, though, and away goals will be in their favour should this be a high-scoring affair.
The Dutch dominated the first leg, but only got one goal for their efforts. As a result, striker Nicolai Jorgensen is replaced by Kasper Dolberg. Poland didn't play well before, but surprisingly they stick with the same XI.
Poland start brightly, and go close when Rafal Wolski's free kick hits the bar. In fact, it's the only real moment of interest in the first half, as Netherlands are happy to keep the ball and play it fairly safe.
The second half continues in much the same vein. Wolski's curling effort is fractionally wide, but otherwise Poland are getting nowhere near the Dutch goal. It has to be said, though, that the Dutch could be playing a more positive game - and it looks like their gamble has backfired when a free kick falls to Christian Gytkjaer to slam home, but the flag was raised and the goal is disallowed. In added time, Pedro Tiba curls one just wide. But the hammer blow comes at the other end, as Maciej Sadlok is adjudged to have pushed Dolberg. It's Dolberg who takes the penalty... and he sends Dusan Kuciak the wrong way to win the leg 1-0! It was not a good performance from the Dutch, but they will be there in the finals!
The second half continues in much the same vein. Wolski's curling effort is fractionally wide, but otherwise Poland are getting nowhere near the Dutch goal. It has to be said, though, that the Dutch could be playing a more positive game - and it looks like their gamble has backfired when a free kick falls to Christian Gytkjaer to slam home, but the flag was raised and the goal is disallowed. In added time, Pedro Tiba curls one just wide. But the hammer blow comes at the other end, as Maciej Sadlok is adjudged to have pushed Dolberg. It's Dolberg who takes the penalty... and he sends Dusan Kuciak the wrong way to win the leg 1-0! It was not a good performance from the Dutch, but they will be there in the finals!
Belgium (1) vs Romania (1)
These two sides were just two places apart in the world rankings before the first leg, and after a very fair draw, they are now just one place apart. It's virtually impossible to separate these two teams, but something will have to!
After coming off the bench to grab Belgium's equaliser, it's not a surprise that Dieumerci Mbokani comes in for Wesley. Meanwhile, the only change for Romania is Ciprian Deac for Dennis Man.
These two sides were just two places apart in the world rankings before the first leg, and after a very fair draw, they are now just one place apart. It's virtually impossible to separate these two teams, but something will have to!
After coming off the bench to grab Belgium's equaliser, it's not a surprise that Dieumerci Mbokani comes in for Wesley. Meanwhile, the only change for Romania is Ciprian Deac for Dennis Man.
Belgium have the away goal, which could be crucial if this remains goalless for a long time. But... it doesn't, as Romania open the scoring with the game's first shot! A nicely-worked move eventually ends with Alexandru Mitrita - scorer in the first leg - turning away from Ognjen Vranjes and firing in from close range. Romania look very comfortable with the ball, and double their lead when Mitrita hits a perfect free kick into the top corner! Belgium now need three goals. They fashion a decent chance as the ball comes to Brighton loanee Percy Tau at the far post, but his shot is scuffed straight at the keeper. In added time at the end of the first half Vranjes heads a corner against the woodwork, and Mbokani slides in to tap in the rebound. Half time, 2-1 to Romania.
Belgium start the second half with great intensity, as Alejandro Pozuelo and Ruud Vormer go close from the edge of the box. Unfortunately, it's all for nothing as Romania add a third - that man Mitrita swinging a free kick in for George Tucudean to head home. Belgium need a quick reply, but instead they bungle a corner, allowing Romania to break and for substitute Mate Males to score at the second attempt. Romania are now able to have some fun, and a fifth goal is added when Tucudean rifles a brillaint shot in from range. That's the final blow they strike, and a marvelous 5-1 win sees them through to their second DWC!
Final results
Unfortunately, there wasn't the same drama as in last year's play-offs, but we still saw a ton of goals and we have the fairytale story of Wales qualifying despite being bottom seeds in their group.
That concludes all the continental qualifying, leaving just one qualifying episode to go... the brilliant Intercontinental play-offs! Venezuela, Jamaica, Turkey, New Zealand, Japan and Nigeria are the six teams battling for the three final spots in this year's DWC!
That concludes all the continental qualifying, leaving just one qualifying episode to go... the brilliant Intercontinental play-offs! Venezuela, Jamaica, Turkey, New Zealand, Japan and Nigeria are the six teams battling for the three final spots in this year's DWC!