Jensen qualifies for the Euros - Lichtsteiner and Vargas involved in Swiss win
First Team
16.11.2019, 15:09
While Fredrik Jensen and Finland were qualifying for EURO 2020 on Friday evening, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Ruben Vargas took a big step to qualifying for the finals. Alfred Finnbogason on the other hand, had to let go of his dream of qualifying for the European Championship. International round-up below.
Fredrik Jensen and Finland qualified for the European Championship for the first time after a 3-0 win over Liechtenstein. Jasse Tuominen scored once and ex-Schalke player Teemu Pukki scored twice for Finland, whose win sparked jubilant celebrations and a pitch invasion form Finnish fans. Jensen was not used in the win, but he can’t have been too disappointed with the end result.
Although Stephan Lichtsteiner and Ruben Vargas are not yet sure of European qualification just yet, they have taken a large step towards the finals regardless. Switzerland beat Georgia 1-0 courtesy of a goal from substitute Cedric Itten and are two points clear of 2nd placed Ireland. In their last game against Gibraltar, Switzerland need one point to qualify. Lichtsteiner captained the Swiss from the beginning, and Ruben Vargas also started. Sergio Córdova and the Venezuela U23s lost in their friendly against Paraguay 3-1. Roberto Fernández scored once and Sebastián Ferreira twice for Paraguay, while Antonio Romero replied for the away side inbetween the second and third Paraguay. Córdova was in the starting eleven, but could not singlehandedly prevent the defeat.
Finnbogason’s dreams of European qualification crushed – Positives and negatives for Asta
On Thursday Alfred Finnbogason and Co. had to finally lay their dream of qualifying for the EUROs to rest. The Northern Europeans could not break down Turkey’s defence and with a final score of 0-0, are unable to qualify with a game in hand. For Finnbogason the evening was doubly bitter: the FCA striker was taken off with an injury in the 24th minute.
There were positives and negatives for Simon Asta and the Germany U19s at the Four Nations Tournament in Northern Ireland. On Tuesday the DFB youngsters overcame a one goal deficit in the closing stages of the game to win 2-1 against Portugal, whereas on Friday against Norway it was exactly the other way around. Although Guido Streichsbier’s side were ahead early, the Scandinavians equalized and struck in injury-time to steal the victory. Asta played the full 90 minutes in both games.
