With a 2-1 win over Slovenia, Denmark secured their spot in the Euro 2024 finals.
Albania also made it by drawing 1-1 with Moldova on Friday to make sure they would finish in the top two in Group E.
The Czech Republic and Poland tied 1-1, so the second playoff spot from Group E is still up in the air.
After beating North Macedonia 5-2 at home, Italy moved up to second place in Group C. This was an easy 2-0 win for England at home over Malta. They won their group.
There were two teams in Group H that could both qualify if they won in Copenhagen. However, the hosts came out on top with goals from Joakim Maehle and Thomas Delaney before and after the break.
“I’m happy with the whole team,” Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand said. I’m happy with everything. The boys looked at each other and said, “Let’s show them!”
Denmark had the better of the first few minutes, and they were repaid when Maehle slid in at the far post to finish a cross that was swinging in on 26 minutes.
But the lead was short-lived. Erik Janza curled a left-footed free kick past Kasper Schmeichel in the fourth minute.
The game turned in favour of Denmark nine minutes after halftime when Delaney controlled and scored in the box after Jannik Vestergaard flicked on the ball.
Early on, Kazakhstan beat San Marino 3-1 at home to move to 18 points, one behind Slovenia in second place.
Islam Chesnokov scored in the 19th and 51st minutes, but Simone Franciosi scored for the underdogs on the hour mark. It wasn’t possible for San Marino to get a point after Abat Aimbetov’s goal in extra time.
In the same group, Finland beat Northern Ireland 4-0 in Helsinki to stay one win behind third place.
Albania moves on with a draw
Before, Albania secured a spot at Euro 2024, even though they gave up a late goal in a 1-1 draw in Moldova.
Sokol Cikalleshi scored a penalty in the first half to put the guests ahead. Vladyslav Babohlo tied the game with three minutes left, but Albania’s point made sure they would finish in the top two in Group E.
It will be Albania’s second time at a big event; their first was Euro 2016.
When Czech Republic went to Poland, they had the chance to lock up the last two spots in Group E, but they could only draw 1-1.
Poland’s Jakub Piotrowski scored the first goal in the 38th minute. The Czech Republic tied the game four minutes into the second half with a goal from Tomas Soucek, but they couldn’t score the winner that would have guaranteed them a spot in Germany next year.
With a win over North Macedonia in Rome, Italy moved into second place in the group, one point behind Ukraine.
Federico Chiesa scored two quick goals in the first half, and Matteo Darmian scored the first goal with a header.
Early in the second half, Jani Atanasov scored a goal to tie the game. He then scored a second goal with 16 minutes left, but Giacomo Raspadori and Stephen El Shaarawy scored for Italy to seal the win.
“Winning is what matters. “We gave up two goals that I don’t think we should have given up,” Chiesa said.
Ukraine and Italy play each other on Monday. If the game ends in a tie, Italy automatically qualifies because they have a better head-to-head record, having won 2-1 in Milan in September.
A shaky and experimental England team beat a losing Malta team 2-0 thanks to an own goal by Enrico Pepe in the eighth minute and a Harry Kane goal in the second half.
We didn’t start the game well, which makes it hard to get back on track. English coach Gareth Southgate said, “We know that the level we’re at should be better.”