UEFA Under-21 Championship Qualifying Round-Up: Italy, England & Spain Progress To Play-Offs

With seven spots already claimed in next month's UEFA U-21 Championship play-offs, the remaining seven were snapped up tonight, and France, Portugal and holders Germany were the high-profile casualties as Italy, England and Spain all went through thanks to wins this evening.

A Danny Welbeck-inspired England side made it through as one of the best second-placed teams after a 3-0 win over Lithuania, while Spain's 1-0 triumph in Poland saw them safely through. Italy gained a play-off spot thanks to Mattia Mustacchio's early winner against Wales.

Latvia 1-1 Moldova

Russia 0-0 Romania

Standings: Romania Pld 10/Pts 25, Russia 10/22, Moldova 10/14, Latvia 10/13, Faroe Islands 10/11, Andorra 10/1.


GROUP 2

Turkey 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Georgia 0-2 Armenia

Standings: Switzerland 10/20, Turkey 10/16, Georgia 10/15, Armenia 10/13, Estonia 10/12, Republic of Ireland 10/7.


GROUP 3

Italy 1-0 Wales

Italy qualified for the play-offs at the expense of Wales, thanks to this last-day victory. The Azzurrini grabbed the lead in the 14th minute when Varese loanee Mattia Mustacchio raced onto a throughball and kept his head to slot under the 'keeper and inside the far post. It was an early fillip for Pierluigi Casiraghi's men, but they went on to waste some decent opportunities to make their progression safe. Stefano Okaka, Mattia Destro and Guido Marilungo all had good chances, but Vito Mannone was also vital as Wales caused some late scares.

Vito Mannone ¦ Helped Italy to victory, taking them through to the play-offs

Hungary 0-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina

Standings: Italy 8/16, Wales 8/16, Hungary 8/13, Bosnia & Herzegovina 8/8, Luxembourg 8/4.

GROUP 4

Finland 3-0 Liechtenstein

Poland 0-1 Spain

Spain were in the privileged position of knowing that three points would be enough to assure a spot in the play-offs as one of the best runners-up, and only a number of results going against them would render a draw meaningless. As expected, Poland 'keeper Michal Gilwa was worked heavily throughout, most notably when being peppered with shots in the second half. Bojan Krkic, Juan Mata, Diego Capel and Sergio Canales all tried and failed to open the scoring as the Spanish efforts looked increasingly in vain. It wasn't until the 85th minute that they finally broke through to confirm a play-off spot, with Canales netting the only goal of the game.

Bojan Krkic ¦ A catalyst in Spain's victory
 

Standings: Netherlands 8/21, Spain 8/19, Finland 8/10, Poland 8/9, Liechtenstein 8/0.


GROUP 5

Germany 3-0 Northern Ireland

Deposed champions Germany finished their campaign with a consolation victory, thanks largely to skipper Lewis Holtby. The Mainz loanee bagged a goal either side of the break as Rainer Adrion's side heeded the words of their coach, who had urged them to play for their places in the side for the next qualifying campaign in light of their poor return this time. Patrick Herrmann bagged a third as Germany clinched third place ahead of a Northern Ireland side who were coming off the back of a convincing 4-0 win over group minnows San Marino on Friday.

Czech Republic 3-1 Iceland

Standings: Czech Republic 8/22, Iceland 8/16, Germany 8/12, Northern Ireland 8/7, San Marino 8/0.


GROUP 6

Israel 5-0 Montenegro

Bulgaria 0-1 Sweden

Standings: Sweden 8/19, Israel 8/16, Montenegro 8/13, Kazakhstan 8/5, Bulgaria 8/4.


GROUP 7

Cyprus 1-3 Serbia

Slovakia 1-4 Norway

Standings: Croatia 8/17, Slovakia 8/14, Serbia 8/13, Norway 8/7, Cyprus 8/6.


GROUP 8

France 2-0 Malta

Results at the weekend conspired to send France out of the competition, but Eric Mombaerts' side stayed professional to the end to beat a resolute Maltese side. Les Espoirs racked up a huge shot count in the first half, but rarely caused Malta 'keeper Henry Bonello too many headaches. They finally found their scoring boots in the second half, with substitute Lynel Kitambala and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa netting in quick succession. Kitambala was shown a straight red card with 10 minutes left for serious foul play, but France easily held out with Malta finishing a man light after Mark Scerri and Clifford Gatt Baldacchino saw red.

Ukraine 0-0 Slovenia

Standings: Ukraine 8/16, Belgium 8/15, France 8/15, Slovenia 8/8, Malta 8/0.


GROUP 9

England 3-0 Lithuania

England knew that a victory in itself might not be enough but made enough chances in the first half alone to suggest they could meet the requirements. But despite their dominance, it took over an hour to break through before Tom Cleverly and Jack Wilshere combined to tee up Danny Welbeck. Welbeck then turned provider for Marc Albrighton with 10 minutes left as Lithuania found it difficult to see off the constant pressure. Welbeck rounded off the victory when given time and space to finish from 10 yards in the closing moments, and they were greeted at full-time with the good news that their endeavours were enough for a play-off spot.

Portugal 3-1 Macedonia

Standings: Greece 8/19, England 8/17, Portugal 8/13, Lithuania 8/5, Macedonia 8/2.


GROUP 10

Belarus 1-0 Azerbaijan

Scotland 3-1 Austria

Standings: Scotland 8/17, Belarus 8/17, Austria 8/14, Albania 8/4, Azerbaijan 8/1.

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