Hungary and Slovakia reach Euro 2024 while starlet Yamal scores for Spain

Hungary and Slovakia reach Euro 2024 while starlet Yamal scores for Spain

AFP
updated at November 16, 2023 at 10:44 PM
Slovakia forward Lukas Haraslin celebrates one of his two goals in the win against Iceland that secured qualification for Euro 2024
Slovakia forward Lukas Haraslin celebrates one of his two goals in the win against Iceland that secured qualification for Euro 2024. Photo: VLADIMIR SIMICEK / AFP
Source: AFP

Hungary and Slovakia booked their tickets for Euro 2024 on Thursday while 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal scored again for already-qualified Spain.

The Hungarians guaranteed their place at the finals in Germany when an own goal from Bulgaria's Alex Petkov deep in stoppage time gave them a 2-2 draw in Sofia.

The visitors only needed a point to qualify but were 2-1 down before Petkov allowed a cross to skid off the top of his head and into his own net in the 97th minute in the most dramatic of finishes.

The Hungarian players exploded in joy at the end of a match played in an empty stadium because of fears of protests against the head of the Bulgarian football federation.

Hungary players celebrate after clinching qualification for the 2024 European Championship
Hungary players celebrate after clinching qualification for the 2024 European Championship. Photo: Nikolay DOYCHINOV / AFP
Source: AFP

Instead, Bulgarian fans mounted protests outside the ground.

Ten supporters and five police officers were injured in clashes and police also used water cannon to disperse crowds of fans angry at the lack of their national team's progress.

The draw gave Hungary 15 points from seven games in Group G of European qualifying, two ahead of Serbia.

Haraslin double

In Bratislava, Slovakia cruised past Iceland 4-2, with two goals from Lukas Haraslin helping them qualify for the finals for the third time in a row.

Hungary and Slovakia join host nation Germany, Austria, Belgium, England, France, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Turkey as the teams qualified so far.

Police use a water cannon against protesters outside the Vassil Levski Stadium in Sofia where Bulgarian fans were protesting against the head of their football federation
Police use a water cannon against protesters outside the Vassil Levski Stadium in Sofia where Bulgarian fans were protesting against the head of their football federation. Photo: Nikolay DOYCHINOV / AFP
Source: AFP

In other games, Spain, who have also already secured their qualification, comfortably beat Cyprus 3-1 with starlet Yamal opening the scoring in the fifth minute.

Yamal had become Spain's youngest player and scorer in a 7-1 qualifying win against Georgia in September and on Thursday he rounded the goalkeeper and scored with a powerful finish.

Already-qualified Scotland came from behind to draw 2-2 with Georgia in Tbilisi thanks to Lawrence Shankland's 93rd minute equaliser.

Serbia have to wait to qualify from Group G as Montenegro beat Lithuania 2-0 to keep their hopes alive.

Portugal opened up an eight-point lead over Slovakia in Group J by beating Liechtenstein 2-0 in Vaduz with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo -- his 128th international strike -- and Joao Cancelo.

Ronaldo's goal came from Diogo Jota's beautifully weighted pass through the defence, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner firing the ball into the roof of the net.

Teenager Lamine Yamal put Spain ahead
Teenager Lamine Yamal put Spain ahead. Photo: Jewel SAMAD / AFP
Source: AFP

Luxembourg thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 but their strong campaign looks to be over.

Azerbaijan eased past a woeful Sweden 3-0 in Baku in Group F, from which Austria and Belgium have already qualified. Austria beat bottom team Estonia 2-0.

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