Italy Stuns Malta with Dominant Win, Putting Pressure on England - Euro 2024 Round-up
Italy dominate Malta with a resounding 4-0 victory courtesy of goals from Bonaventura, Berardi (2), and Frattesi Ukraine, Hungary, Lithuania, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, and Denmark also triumph in their respective Euro 2024 matches
Italy secured a routine 4-0 victory over Malta to keep the pressure on England
in Group C of the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Giacomo Bonaventura scored his maiden international goal to open the scoring for the Italians, while Domenico Berardi netted two goals, one before half-time and one after. In added time, Davide Frattesi sealed the victory with a fourth goal. Meanwhile, Ukraine secured a crucial triumph, earning three points to enhance their prospects in the group, as they emerged as 2-0 victors over North Macedonia.
Ukraine took the lead with a stroke of luck as Heorhiy Sudakov's shot from distance took a major deflection into the net, making it 1-0.
In stoppage time, Oleksandr Karavayev sealed the victory for the Ukrainians by capitalizing on goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski's positioning and finding the back of the net.
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In Group G, Hungary put themselves in the driving seat to qualify after they defeated Serbia 2-1 at home.
Barnabas Varga opened the scoring for the hosts after 21 minutes. However, Strahinja Pavlovic equalized for the opposition 12 minutes later. Hungary quickly regained their lead when Roland Sallai unleashed a shot from 25 yards, securing the victory.
In their sixth attempt, Lithuania finally secured their first win of the qualifiers. They defeated Bulgaria 2-0, with defender Pijus Sirvys scoring a brace on either side of half-time. Bulgaria played with 10 players throughout the match.
Three minutes after Adrian Kraev received a second yellow card and was dismissed from the match, Lithuania took the lead just before half-time. Sirvys managed to bundle the ball into the net from a corner, securing their first goal. Ten minutes into the second half, he further extended their advantage, earning Lithuania their initial three points of the competition.
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Northern Ireland's Paul Smyth celebrates his first international goal
Northern Ireland secured a commanding 3-0 win against minnows San Marino in Group H. Paul Smyth kick-started the scoring at Windsor Park with a sensational scissor-kick from within the penalty area. Just six minutes later, Josh Magennis extended their lead, and in the final moments, Conor McMenamin notched his maiden international goal from a close position.
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Slovenia strengthened their grip on qualifying following a 3-0 rout over Finland.
Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko scored two goals in the first half, first from a penalty and then he sprinted towards the goal to score his second. In stoppage time, Eric Janza sealed the victory with a goal, securing all three points.
Denmark remained tied with Slovenia at the top of the standings, as they secured a 3-1 victory against Kazakhstan.
Jonas Wind opened the scoring in Parken when he bundled home from close range and Robert Skov added a second before he latched onto Christian Eriksen's through ball to slot home Denmark's third.
