14 November 2021
Last night saw more Bianconeri in action across Europe in 2022 World Cup qualifiers, as both France and Wales won comfortably, whilst the Netherlands threw away a two-nil lead to draw late on.
First, World Cup holders France qualified in style for Qatar 2022, sweeping aside Kazakhstan 8-0 in Paris. Kylian Mbappe grabbed a first half hat-trick, before Karim Benzema's brace put Les Bleus five-up on the hour mark. Adrien Rabiot scored his first goal for France 15 minutes from time, as Antoine Griezmann's penalty and a fourth goal from Mbappe completed the rout.
Elsewhere, Wales won 5-1 in Cardiff over Belarus, thanks to a brace from Aaron Ramsey, with Neco Williams, Ben Davies and Connor Roberts grabbing the game's other goals.
Finally, the Netherlands saw things going well their way away to Montenegro with Memphis Depay's double seeing them lead the match, until inside the last 10 minutes, when, astonishingly Ilija Vukotic scored in the 82nd minute to reduce the deficit and then just four minutes later, Nikola Vujnovic scored to tie the game at 2-2. Matthijs de Ligt stepped onto the pitch in the 90th minute for the Netherlands, who next host Norway, as they bid to seal qualification to Qatar.
Today, a Bianconeri derby takes place, as Alvaro Morata's Spain square-off against Dejan Kulusevski's Sweden in Seville. With one point separating first-place, Spain from second-place, Sweden, the final group game will be a crucial one to decide direct qualification for World Cup 2022.
