The dust has settled on the first set of playoffs ahead of EURO 2024, and now six teams will be vying for the final three places. These three crucial matches take place on Tuesday and will decide who advances. Georgia squares off against Greece, Ukraine meets Iceland in Wroclaw, Poland, and Wales faces Poland on their home turf. The stakes are high as these teams compete for a spot in Europe’s elite tournament.
Georgia 2 – 0 Luxembourg
Georgia advanced thanks to a commanding 2-0 win over Luxembourg, bringing them closer to their first appearance in a major tournament finals. Budu Zivzivalde’s double secured the victory for the home team at a crowded Tbilisi stadium. Luxembourg’s challenge was further hampered by a red card for Maxime Chanot and a disallowed goal in controversial circumstances. The visitors failed to register a shot on target in the first half and went behind five minutes before halftime when Zivzivadze capitalized on a poor clearance. Luxembourg believed they had equalized early in the second half, but a VAR review disallowed the goal due to a foul outside the area, resulting in a red card for Chanot. Ten minutes later, Zivzivadze scored again, ensuring Georgia’s victory and advancing them to the playoff final, where they will face Greece.
Wales 4–1 Finland
Wales secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Finland in their Euro 2024 play-off semi-final, setting up a crucial final against Poland. David Brooks started the scoring early on, and Neco Williams responded with an excellent free kick. Teemu Pukki scored for Finland shortly before halftime. Wales sealed the game in the second half with goals from Brennan Johnson and substitute Dan James. Despite missing additional chances and a disallowed goal, Robert Page’s team easily won. They now move their attention to the one-leg final against Poland at Cardiff City Stadium, where a win will qualify them for a third consecutive European Championship.
Greece 5–0 Kazakhstan
The Greeks will go against Georgia in the final, as they dominated Kazakhstan with a 5-0 victory. This victory moves them closer to qualifying for the Euros after a 12-year absence. Their excellent opening allowed them to score twice in the first half. Captain Anastasios Bakasetas scored from a spot-kick in the ninth minute, which was followed by Dimitrios Pelkas’ header six minutes later. Greece maintained their lead with a third goal by Fotis Ioannidis in the 37th minute, assisted by Giorgios Masouras. Dimitrios Kourbelis scored another with a header shortly before halftime. Kazakhstan stayed scoreless throughout the game and surrendered a late own goal by Alexandr Marochkin, which secured Greece’s comfortable win.
Poland 5–1 Estonia
Poland overpowered Estonia in a decisive 5-1 win in their semi-final matchup. Estonia’s struggles began early, as they were sent off for a second yellow card in the 27th minute. The undermanned Estonian team rarely went into Polish territory and had no attempts on goal until the 78th minute, when they scored a consolation goal. In contrast, Poland’s offense exploded. Przemyslaw Frankowski began the scoring in the 22nd minute, with goals from Piotr Zielinski, Jakub Piotrowski, an own goal by Estonian defender Karol Mets, and the fifth goal scored by Sebastian Szymanski from close range. With this strong performance, Poland moves to the Path A final, where they are up against Wales.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-2 Ukraine
Ukraine are now scheduled for the Euro 2024 playoff final after a remarkable comeback. Despite trailing Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 after an own goal early in the second half, they rallied late on and equalized with substitute Roman Yaremchuk in the 85th minute. Artem Dovbyk, the night’s hero, then headed home the winning goal three minutes later for a 2-1 victory away from home. Ukraine will now play Iceland, who defeated Israel 4-1 in the other semifinal, for a ticket to the Germany tournament. Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the final against Iceland will take place on Tuesday in Wroclaw, Poland.
Israel 1-4 Iceland
Iceland defeated Israel 4-1 in the qualifier Path B playoff. Albert Gudmundsson led the Icelandic offense with a hat trick, while Arnor Traustason scored the other for the visitors. Eran Zahavi’s penalty gave Israel a head start, but the momentum changed with Roy Revivo’s red card. Zahavi missed a second penalty for a tie, and Iceland took advantage with Gudmundsson’s free-kick and Traustason’s deflected strike before Gudmundsson scored his hat-trick. Iceland will now meet Ukraine in the Path B final for a place in Group E alongside Belgium, Slovakia, and Romania in the Euro 2024 championships.