Whilst we have finished normal qualifying (i.e. not including play-offs) in Oceania, Africa & Asia, we still have two groups left in Europe:
Other than Germany's torrid time, all the top seeds have secured automatic qualification. Will that continue today? Netherlands are possibly at risk, as many of their better players were part of the Ajax team that was picked at by Europe's elite this summer. However, they still have plenty of good talent coming through the production line.
They will also be bolstered by being drawn in a relatively tame group. This said, Croatia have been able to qualify for the past two DWCs, whilst Israel very nearly beat France in the 2018 play-offs. The remaining teams seem a long way from being at a level to challenge for qualification.
Matchday 1
The top two seeds met in Amsterdam. After 80 minutes of patient probing by both sides, Netherlands took the lead as Steven Berghuis' cross was put away by fellow substitute Quincy Promes. However, Croatia hit back immediately through Mislav Orsic. It wasn't the end of it, though, and a bad backpass left Promes in to grab an 89th-minute winner. It was not as close as Israel battered Finland 6-0, nor in the match between the group's two lowest seeds, as Andorra saw off Kosovo 3-0.
They will also be bolstered by being drawn in a relatively tame group. This said, Croatia have been able to qualify for the past two DWCs, whilst Israel very nearly beat France in the 2018 play-offs. The remaining teams seem a long way from being at a level to challenge for qualification.
Matchday 1
The top two seeds met in Amsterdam. After 80 minutes of patient probing by both sides, Netherlands took the lead as Steven Berghuis' cross was put away by fellow substitute Quincy Promes. However, Croatia hit back immediately through Mislav Orsic. It wasn't the end of it, though, and a bad backpass left Promes in to grab an 89th-minute winner. It was not as close as Israel battered Finland 6-0, nor in the match between the group's two lowest seeds, as Andorra saw off Kosovo 3-0.
Matchday 2
A key game came up as Israel visited Croatia. The hosts got into a 3-0 lead, but Israel pulled two goals back. However, the win for Croatia was sealed as Arijan Ademi launched a thunderous strike into the top corner for a 4-2 win. Meanwhile, Finland bounced back from their terrible defeat with a 1-0 win over Andorra, whilst Kosovo's campaign continued to fail to get going as they lost 5-1 against Netherlands.
A key game came up as Israel visited Croatia. The hosts got into a 3-0 lead, but Israel pulled two goals back. However, the win for Croatia was sealed as Arijan Ademi launched a thunderous strike into the top corner for a 4-2 win. Meanwhile, Finland bounced back from their terrible defeat with a 1-0 win over Andorra, whilst Kosovo's campaign continued to fail to get going as they lost 5-1 against Netherlands.
Matchday 3
Israel then had to host Netherlands, but got off to a fine start as Fatos Besim Beciraj scored from his own rebound in the 2nd minute. Netherlands soon levelled through Steven Bergwijn, and the final 82 minutes saw no more goals, as it finished 1-1. This meant that Israel, previously 2nd, were overtaken by both Croatia and Finland, who won 5-0 against Andorra and 2-0 against Kosovo respectively.
Israel then had to host Netherlands, but got off to a fine start as Fatos Besim Beciraj scored from his own rebound in the 2nd minute. Netherlands soon levelled through Steven Bergwijn, and the final 82 minutes saw no more goals, as it finished 1-1. This meant that Israel, previously 2nd, were overtaken by both Croatia and Finland, who won 5-0 against Andorra and 2-0 against Kosovo respectively.
Matchday 4
Once again, Finland couldn't hold out against a team they were underdogs against, as they tamely lost 4-1 to Croatia. Netherlands also pulled off an easy win, beating Andorra 5-0. Israel, meanwhile, had it much tougher against Kosovo, and only got the three points when Miguel Vítor headed home in the 89th minute.
Once again, Finland couldn't hold out against a team they were underdogs against, as they tamely lost 4-1 to Croatia. Netherlands also pulled off an easy win, beating Andorra 5-0. Israel, meanwhile, had it much tougher against Kosovo, and only got the three points when Miguel Vítor headed home in the 89th minute.
Matchday 5
Andorra looked to be holding out for a shock win as they lead Israel, but were denied by Almog Cohen's late long-range effort. Still, a 1-1 draw represents two dropped points for Israel, and Croatia took advantage as they beat Kosovo 4-0. Netherlands also picked up a win, although they could only overcome a stubborn Finland 1-0.
Andorra looked to be holding out for a shock win as they lead Israel, but were denied by Almog Cohen's late long-range effort. Still, a 1-1 draw represents two dropped points for Israel, and Croatia took advantage as they beat Kosovo 4-0. Netherlands also picked up a win, although they could only overcome a stubborn Finland 1-0.
This is how things stand halfway in:
That draw means Israel are in danger of slipping out of contention. Netherlands lead as expected, but their lead in the group is far too narrow for comfort.
Matchday 6
Croatia had their chance to leap into first as they hosted Netherlands, and they got off to an absolute flyer as they punished Netherlands' set piece defending, going 3-0 up in the first 20 minutes. The Dutch pulled one back, but another corner goal saw Croatia through 4-1 winners. Israel scraped to a 1-0 win over Finland to stay in contention, whilst a Miquel Palanca brace saw Andorra beat Kosovo 2-0.
Matchday 6
Croatia had their chance to leap into first as they hosted Netherlands, and they got off to an absolute flyer as they punished Netherlands' set piece defending, going 3-0 up in the first 20 minutes. The Dutch pulled one back, but another corner goal saw Croatia through 4-1 winners. Israel scraped to a 1-0 win over Finland to stay in contention, whilst a Miquel Palanca brace saw Andorra beat Kosovo 2-0.
Matchday 7
Croatia had the chance to solidify their top spot by beating Israel, however they were pegged back and drew 1-1. This meant Netherlands could go level on points, and they did so with a 3-0 win over Kosovo. Meanwhile, Andorra and Finland played out a 0-0 draw.
Matchday 8
With Croatia and Netherlands tied on points, this may become a goal difference shootout. But first, Netherlands had to overcome Israel. They couldn't manage it, and a 0-0 draw put Croatia in the driver's seat. They did so emphatically, beating Andorra 4-0. Meanwhile, Kosovo finally got off the mark by beating Finland 1-0.
Croatia had the chance to solidify their top spot by beating Israel, however they were pegged back and drew 1-1. This meant Netherlands could go level on points, and they did so with a 3-0 win over Kosovo. Meanwhile, Andorra and Finland played out a 0-0 draw.
Matchday 8
With Croatia and Netherlands tied on points, this may become a goal difference shootout. But first, Netherlands had to overcome Israel. They couldn't manage it, and a 0-0 draw put Croatia in the driver's seat. They did so emphatically, beating Andorra 4-0. Meanwhile, Kosovo finally got off the mark by beating Finland 1-0.
Matchday 9
Netherlands ensured that the battle for qualification would go to the final day by scraping past Andorra 2-1, courtesy of Hakim Ziyech's header. And they drew level with Croatia as they were held 0-0 by Finland. These results meant Israel were out despite a 2-1 win over Kosovo.
Netherlands ensured that the battle for qualification would go to the final day by scraping past Andorra 2-1, courtesy of Hakim Ziyech's header. And they drew level with Croatia as they were held 0-0 by Finland. These results meant Israel were out despite a 2-1 win over Kosovo.
This is the state of play going into the final games:
Croatia have an 8-goal goal difference advantage, so realistically they just need to beat the hapless Kosovo at home to secure qualification. Netherlands host Finland. Even if they can't overtake Croatia, the Dutch would like a win to get into the Intercontinental play-off.
Matchday 10
It looked like serious trouble for Netherlands as Eric Bakker put Finland into an early lead. Eventually, on the hour mark Dusan Tadic equalised, and 10 minutes later he put Netherlands ahead from the spot. A late own goal for Finland's Sammy N'Djock sealed a 3-1 win for the Dutch, and somehow it proved enough as Croatia - despite 33 shots to 2 - drew 0-0 at home to Kosovo! Probably the most surprising result of the lot, and it means that the Netherlands have somehow earned qualification! Meanwhile, there was deja vu as Andorra held onto a 1-0 lead for 86 minutes only to concede late on against Israel for a 1-1 draw.
Matchday 10
It looked like serious trouble for Netherlands as Eric Bakker put Finland into an early lead. Eventually, on the hour mark Dusan Tadic equalised, and 10 minutes later he put Netherlands ahead from the spot. A late own goal for Finland's Sammy N'Djock sealed a 3-1 win for the Dutch, and somehow it proved enough as Croatia - despite 33 shots to 2 - drew 0-0 at home to Kosovo! Probably the most surprising result of the lot, and it means that the Netherlands have somehow earned qualification! Meanwhile, there was deja vu as Andorra held onto a 1-0 lead for 86 minutes only to concede late on against Israel for a 1-1 draw.
Here's the final table:
Heartbreak for Croatia, who will face accusations of choking in those final two 0-0 draws. To add salt into the wound, they fail to beat Poland's 22-point tally, and so will go into the tougher European play-offs. Netherlands are through, slightly unconvincingly, but 23 points is a respectable points tally.
Next time, we see the final group stage for North America!
Next time, we see the final group stage for North America!