⚽️ 2022 World Cup European Qualifiers: UEFA Playoffs- Previews, Stats, News, Results and Live Updates

[Goodness]

North Macedonia have never before qualified for a World Cup…

Only Portugal stand in their way for a place in Qatar 2022.

[Jay]

World Cup play-off semi-finals: Round-up

Wins for North Macedonia, Portugal, Sweden, Wales - are one game away from the FIFA World Cup after winning their play-off semi-finals on Thursday.

Path A

Wales 2-1 Austria

Wales captain Gareth Bale scored two superb goals in Cardiff to send his side through to the Path A play-off final.

Key stat: Bale has been directly involved in more Wales goals than any other player in 2022 World Cup qualifying (five goals, three assists).

The other Path A play-off semi-final, between Scotland and Ukraine, has been postponed.

Path B

Sweden 1-0 Czech Republic (aet)

Sweden substitute Robin Quaison playing a one-two with Alexander Isak and calmly slotting in his 12th goal for his country.

The winners will take on Poland – who received a bye – in the Path B play-off final.

Key stat: Sweden have now won their last ten home matches.

Path C

Italy 0-1 North Macedonia

Aleksandar Trajkovski struck in added time as North Macedonia stunned Italy to set up a play-off final against Portugal. Italy dominated much of the game but were unable to find a breakthrough, with the best chance of either half falling to Domenico Berardi. The Azzurri were made to pay in the 92nd minute when Trajkovski fired in a low shot from 25 metres out.

Key stat: Italy are the fourth EURO holders to fail to qualify for the next World Cup, after Czechoslovakia (1978), Denmark (1994) and Greece (2006).

Portugal 3-1 Turkey

Portugal survived a late scare to make it through to the Path C play-off final.

Key stat: Portugal remain a bogey team for Turkey; they have lost all six of their competitive games against the Seleção, conceding 14 goals and scoring just twice.

[Jay]

World Cup play-offs Schedule

Semi-final results

Path A: Wales 2-1 Austria
Path B: Sweden 1-0 Czech Republic (aet)
Path C: Portugal 3-1 Turkey, Italy 0-1 North Macedonia

The winners of Thursday’s games are through to the play-off finals:

Tuesday 29 March

Path B: Poland vs Sweden (20:45 CET)
Path C: Portugal vs North Macedonia (20:45 CET)

Postponed, date tbc

Path A: Wales vs Scotland / Ukraine

The 22nd finals in Qatar will be the first World Cup not held in May, June or July; the tournament is instead scheduled for a reduced time frame between 21 November and 18 December. The draw will take place on Friday 1 April.

[Samuel]

Gareth Bale has responded to his critics in Spain after scoring twice for Wales.

[Samuel]

Portugal will play North Macedonia for a place at the 2022 World Cup

[Samuel]

Chiellini will be 41 and Bonucci 38 when the next World Cup comes around

(h/t dancolosimoo/TW)

[Samuel]

Aurélien Tchouaméni scores his first goal for France in the 93rd minute against Ivory Coast

[Samuel]

Italy since winning the World Cup in 2006:

2010: Knocked out at group stage
2014: Knocked out at group stage
2018: Failed to qualify
2022: Failed to qualify

[Samuel]

Mario Balotelli will be the last player to score for Italy at the World Cup for at least 12 years

[Samuel]

Christian Eriksen scores within two minutes of his return to international football

[Samuel]

Harry Kane is now England’s joint-second all-time leading goal scorer with 49 goals

[Samuel]

Canada’s men could clinch their spot in the World Cup today for the first time since 1986.

They’re ready in Toronto

[Samuel]

Chiellini and Bonucci will never get to play a World Cup knock-out match

[Sholadoye]

The USMNT can book their place to the world cup tonight if…
-USA wins and costa-rica draw/lose
-usa draw and costa-rica lose

[Samuel]

The last time Canada’s men reached the World Cup was 1986.

The same year that Argentina last won it

[Samuel]

CHRISTIAN PULISIC HAS A HAT TRICK FOR THE USMNT

[Samuel]

Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken