15 November 2021
It was a night to remember for Alvaro Morata, whose late strike helped Spain qualify for next year’s World Cup in Qatar.
In a straight shootout for the automatic qualifying berth of the group, two Bianconeri clashed as Morata’s Spain hosted Dejan Kulusevski’s Sweden in Sevilla. With the scores deadlocked at 0-0, Morata was introduced just before the hour mark, and proved to be the difference maker: after teammate Dani Olmo’s long-range strike hit the woodwork, the Bianconeri striker collected the rebound, composing himself before neatly finishing off with just four minutes left on the clock. His goal was enough to help Spain secure top spot and a ticket to next year’s World Cup. Kulusevski featured for 64 minutes in the encounter as Sweden reached the World Cup play-offs.
Tonight’s European World Cup qualifiers sees Italy involved in a potential group-deciding fixture away in Northern Ireland, with Leonardo Bonucci, Manuel Locatelli, Federico Chiesa and Federico Bernardeschi all looking to have an impact. Elsewhere this evening, Wojciech Szczesny's Poland host Hungary in their final World Cup qualifer in Warsaw.
