Portugal survive; Georgia hold Scotland; Spain win; Hungary qualify | OneFootball

More EURO 2024 qualifiers were scheduled on Thursday, with big names in action.

Here is what went down.

Portugal scrape by Liechtenstein

Scorers: Ronaldo 46′, Cancelo 57′

One of Europe’s deadliest teams in front of goal were truly tested as Portugal needed a second wind to beat Liechtenstein.

After dominating the first half, none of the stars on the pitch could find a way to beat goalkeeper Benjamin Büchel who was at the top of his game.

But whatever was said at half-time lit a fire under the visitors and Portugal’s big man was there to save the day.

A 38-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo blazed into the box and chipped home from a tight angle seeing the ball fall perfectly into the far corner.

João Cancelo later doubled the lead after rounding the goalkeeper, creating space and curling home.

The hosts only had three shots to Portugal’s 27, but they can certainly hold their heads high having kept their opponents largely frustrated over 90 minutes.

Roberto Martinez’s men sit top of their group with nine wins from nine while Liechtenstein are bottom of the group.

Georgia hold Scotland in a thriller

Scorers: Kvaratskhelia 15′, 57′; McTominay 50′, Shankland 90+2′

Two big names rose to the occasion for both Georgia and Scotland with the points split dramatically.

The deadlock broke early when Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia stretched just far enough to redirect a ball into the box beyond Zander Clark and the fans erupted.

Scotland then took control of the game in terms of possession but poor finishing saw them down at the break. That was until arguably the best player on the international stage at the moment found the net again.

Manchester United’s Scott McTominay blasted home a roller from near the edge of the box minutes after the restart. It’s now seven goals in seven games this qualifying campaign and he is tied for third in the scoring charts.

But then in the blink of an eye, Kvaratskhelia turned things around with a goal which almost mirrored Scotland’s equaliser.

Nathan Patterson gave last year’s Serie A MVP too much space in the box and he dribbled into space before blasting home into the far bottom corner.

Late drama then ensued as Lawrence Shankland scored his first goal in four years to save Scotland at the death.

The result means Scotland now sit two points behind leaders Spain. Georgia, meanwhile, are fourth.

Easy Spain win in Cyprus

Scorers: Pileas 75′; Yamal 5′ Oyarzabal 22′, Joselu 28′

It was one-way traffic in Spain as Real Sociedad stars helped La Roja rout Cyrpus.

Mikel Merino first assisted teen sensation Lamine Yamal within five minutes as the Barcelona boy scored his second for Spain in three appearances.

Then it was Mikel Oyarzabal’s time to turn on the style. He doubled the lead with a stellar finish from a tight angle that went between goalkeeper Joël Mall’s leg before assisting Real Madrid’s Joselu for the third.

Yet injury struck the La Real captain as he hurt his hamstring just before half-time and immediately asked to be substituted.

Atlético de Madrid’s Rodrigo Riquelme came on to earn his first cap, but without Oyarzabal on the pitch Spain’s explosive attack died down in the second half.

Unfortunately for Cyprus, they couldn’t find a way to capitalise on the slight drop from the visitors and end their qualifying campaign on zero points even while Kostas Pileas found the net.

Spain, meanwhile, moved a step closer to securing top spot with a two-point lead over Scotland.

Hungary lucky to qualify

Scorers: Delev 24′; Despodov 78′ (P); Adam 10′; Petkov 90+7′ (OG)

Hungary qualified for Euro 2024 after a bit of luck against Bulgaria.

Martin Adam headed home a thumping Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick for the lead but Spas Delev equalised with a curler from the edge of the box.

Both sides then lost their temper as red cards followed. Valentin Antov was sent off with a second yellow just before the break but a lapse in judgement from Milos Kerkez saw things end 10 men each.

A second lapse in judgement from Hungary then had Kiril Despodov smash home a penalty and it looked like Hungary would have to wait to qualify.

That was until Aleks Petkov’s own-goal turned things 2-2 with the last play of the game.

Sweden humbled in Azerbaijan

Scorers: Mahmudov 3′, 89′, Sdashov 6′

Sweden suffered a shock loss to Azerbaijan after two quick-fire goals within 10 minutes from Emin Mahmudov and Renat Dadashov had the hosts ahead.

And despite 18 attempts to eight, 64% possession and an extra man as Bahlul Mustafazada was sent off, nothing could conjure up a comeback for the visitors.

Mahmudov then secured a brace to pile on the misery. Azerbaijan and Sweden are now level on points in third and fourth in their group.

Other results…

Don’t you love the international break?!