Croatia qualify for 2026 World Cup, Netherlands close, Germany in limbo

AFP | Paris

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Croatia booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup in North America with an unconvincing 3-1 win over the in-form Faroe Islands on Friday as the Netherlands all but booked their spot in the finals too.

Germany’s qualification hopes still rest on their final qualification match on Monday at home to Slovakia despite a Nick Woltemade brace giving them a laboured 2-0 win at Luxembourg.

But it was a night when the underdogs struck fear into more illustrious opponents, with the minnows threatening to strike a telling blow.

The Faroes, who were on a three-match winning run coming into their Group L encounter in Rijeka and still harboured faint hopes of qualification, had the audacity to take the lead against the 2026 World Cup finalists, who only needed a draw to progress.

Geza David Turi picked up the ball just inside the Croatia half and strode forwards unmolested before trying his luck from outside the box and benefiting from a heavy deflection to beat Dominik Livakovic in the Croatia goal on 16 minutes.

The lead lasted only seven minutes before Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol lashed in an equaliser after some hesitant Faroes defending.

With the evergreen Luka Modric still pulling the strings in Croatia’s midfield at 40 on the occasion of his 193rd cap, the hosts began to take control.

And 12 minutes into the second half, Petar Musa fired in at the near post to settle Croatian nerves.

The Faroes’ hopes of becoming the smallest ever nation to reach a World Cup fading fast, Nikola Vlasic drove the knife in with a cushioned volley to beat goalkeeper Mathias Lamhauge, who had strayed into no man’s land.

Depay maintains Dutch lead

Memphis Depay’s Dutch record-extending 55th international goal helped push the Netherlands to the brink of qualification with a 1-1 draw in Poland.

Jakub Kaminski had given Poland hope of pipping Netherlands to top spot in Group G two minutes before the break in Warsaw, latching onto Robert Lewandowski’s through ball to slot past Bart Verbruggen in the Dutch goal.

But two minutes after the restart, Depay struck to maintain the Netherlands’ three-point lead at the top of the group, and a massive goal difference advantage of 13 that makes qualification at home to Lithuania on Monday a formality.

In Group A, a plucky Luxembourg gave Germany plenty of scares in a goalless first half before Newcastle forward Woltemade bagged a second-half brace to steer Germany to the goal.

They need only a point at home to Slovakia on Monday to book their ticket to the World Cup.