Alfred Finnbogason took a big step towards qualifying for the 2021 European Championships with Iceland on Thursday. Michael Gregoritsch led Austria to victory on Wednesday, whilst Ruben Vargas and Fredrik Jensen tasted defeat.

Alfred Finnbogason and Iceland beat Romania 2-1 on Thursday in the semi-final of the play-offs for a place at the 2021 EUROs. Former Hoffenheim player Gylfi Sigurdsson scored both goals for Iceland (16’, 34’), with the latter being assisted by Finnbogason, who started the game and was substituted in the final minutes. Ex-Mainz man Alexandru Maxim scored after the break to keep things interesting (63’), but it ended 2-1. Iceland are one win away from qualifying for the 2021 EUROs; they face Hungary on Thursday 12th November.

Carlos Gruezo tasted defeat with Ecuador. ‘La Tri’ lost their first match of World Cup qualifying 1-0 against Argentina, with Lionel Messi scoring the only goal of the game (13’). Gruezo played the full 90 minutes.

Gregoritsch turns things around

Michael Gregoritsch and Austria won a friendly against Greece 2-1 on Wednesday. The forward was introduced just after the hour mark, and he saw Greece go in front thanks to Konstantinos Fortounis (63’). Austria picked up the pace in the latter stages, however, and much was down to Gregoritsch who was involved in both goals. He assisted Adrian Grbic’s equaliser (77’) and started the move that led to Christoph Baumgartner’s winner (80’).

Tomáš Koubek was also celebrating as the goalkeeper won a friendly 2-1 against Cyprus with the Czech Republic. Thomas Holes (13’) and Hertha’s Vladimir Darida (43’) got the goals for the away side, whilst Cyprus were level for a short time thanks to Loizos Loizou (32’). Koubek was between the sticks for the full game. 

Defeat for Vargas and Jensen

Ruben Vargas didn’t have any success in Switzerland’s friendly against Croatia. The winger was introduced at half time, but couldn’t prevent the Swiss losing 2-1. The home side went ahead through Mario Gavranovic’s 31st minute goal, but the 2018 World Cup runners-up turned things around through Wolfsburg’s Josip Brekalo (42’) and Mario Pasalic (67’).

Fredrik Jensen suffered a 5-1 friendly defeat against Poland with Finland. The goals came from Kamil Grosicki (9’, 18’, 38’), Hertha’s Krzysztof Piatek (53’) and former Augsburg man Arkadiusz Milik (87’), with Ilmari Niskanen getting one for the hosts (68’). Jensen made the assist and, having started the game, was substituted in the latter stages. 

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