The 2014 World Cup in Brazil will be Italy’s 14th consecutive appearance in the finals. PHOTO: AFP
The only World Cup finals Italy have missed remain the 1958 finals in Sweden, and Cesare Prandelli’s side knew that a win against the Czech Republic in Turin would confirm their participation in mega event in Brazil.
However, they had to overcome a scare in the Juventus Stadium before sealing first place in Group B with two games to spare.
Libor Kozak gave the Czechs the lead in the first half before Giorgio Chiellini netted a 51st-minute equaliser and AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli struck the winner from the penalty spot.
“We’ve qualified and we’re really satisfied,” said Prandelli, who is said to be preparing to resign from his post after next summer’s showpiece.
The Netherlands have struggled in this month’s qualifying double header. But a scrambled 2-2 draw in Estonia coupled with a 2-0 win in Andorra on Tuesday proved enough for them to win Group D with two matches to spare.
Germany could have qualified on Tuesday too, but while they ran out 3-0 winners in the Faroe Islands, with Per Mertesacker and Thomas Mueller on target either side of a Mesut Ozil penalty, other results did not go in their favour.
Joachim Loew’s side needed Sweden to slip-up in Kazakhstan but a first-minute Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal, his 45th for his country, gave the Scandinavian nation a 1-0 win.
That means Sweden are on course to finish second in Group C, with Austria three points behind in third after a late David Alaba goal gave them a 1-0 win against the Republic of Ireland.
England still have work to do in Group H, even if a goalless draw in Ukraine left them a point clear of both their hosts and Montenegro, while Poland are also still in contention thanks to a 5-1 success in San Marino.
And France moved back level on points with Spain at the top of Group I, albeit having played a game more, after coming from behind twice to win 4-2 in Belarus.
Les Bleus ended a goal drought of over 500 minutes and overcame two howlers by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to win thanks to a brace by Franck Ribery and further efforts from Samir Nasri and Paul Pogba.
Elsewhere, Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina booked their place at the World Cup with a 5-2 thrashing of Paraguay
Argentina captain Messi struck a penalty in each half as the South American giants made sure of their place at next year’s finals in Brazil in emphatic fashion.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2013.
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