Sports, March 27: Four European teams moved closer to securing places at the FIFA World Cup after registering victories in the play-off semi-finals, tightening the race for the remaining qualification spots.
In Path A, the Italy national football team advanced with a 2-0 win over the Northern Ireland national football team. Goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean ensured progression. Italy will now face the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team, who defeated the Wales national football team 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Path B saw the Sweden national football team claim a 3-1 victory over the Ukraine national football team, powered by a hat-trick from Viktor Gyökeres. Sweden will take on the Poland national football team in the final after Poland came from behind to beat the Albania national football team 2-1, with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zieliński.
In Path C, the Turkey national football team edged past the Romania national football team 1-0, courtesy of a strike from Ferdi Kadıoğlu. The Kosovo national football team progressed after a 4-3 win against the Slovakia national football team in a high-scoring encounter.
Path D featured a dominant display from the Denmark national football team, who defeated the North Macedonia national football team 4-0, with Gustav Isaksen scoring twice. Denmark will meet the Czech Republic national football team, who overcame the Republic of Ireland national football team on penalties following a 2-2 draw.
Finals across all four European paths are scheduled for March 31, with the winners securing qualification for the global tournament.
In the intercontinental play-offs, the Bolivia national football team defeated the Suriname national football team 2-1 to set up a decisive clash against the Iraq national football team on April 1.
The expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with co-hosts Mexico national football team scheduled to face the South Africa national football team in the opening match in Mexico City.
