{"id":25681,"date":"2023-11-17T23:51:06","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T23:51:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/hungary-and-slovakia-reach-euro-2024-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-11-17T23:51:06","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T23:51:06","slug":"hungary-and-slovakia-reach-euro-2024-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/hungary-and-slovakia-reach-euro-2024-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Hungary and Slovakia reach Euro 2024 | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nPARIS:
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Hungary and Slovakia booked their tickets for Euro 2024<\/a> on Thursday while 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal scored again for already-qualified Spain.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Instead, Bulgarian fans mounted protests outside the ground.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The draw gave Hungary 15 points from seven games in Group G of European qualifying, two ahead of Serbia.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Hungary and Slovakia join host nation Germany, Austria, Belgium, England, France, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Turkey as the teams qualified so far.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Already-qualified Scotland came from behind to draw 2-2 with Georgia in Tbilisi thanks to Lawrence Shankland’s 93rd minute equaliser.<\/p>\n

Serbia have to wait to qualify from Group G as Montenegro beat Lithuania 2-0 to keep their hopes alive.<\/p>\n

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 to extend his world record — and Joao Cancelo.<\/p>\n

Ronaldo’s chance was created by 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.<\/p>\n

Luxembourg thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 and will enter the playoffs in a bid for qualification after a campaign that has defied expectations.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n