Ukraine moved above Italy into second spot in Group C after coming from behind to win in Malta. Paul Mbong gave the underdogs Malta a shock lead with only their second goal of the European Championship qualifying campaign. But an own goal from Ryan Camenzuli hauled Ukraine level before Artem Dovbyk’s penalty and a late strike from Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk secured a 3-1 victory.
This result combined with another 3-1 win, for England against Italy at Wembley, meant Ukraine were able to open up a three-point gap over their rivals for second place. However Italy have played a game less than Ukraine and will face North Macedonia at home, before a decisive Ukraine v Italy match in Leverkusen next month.
Hungary would have joined England in securing qualification but were held to a 2-2 draw in Lithuania. The hosts held a surprise 2-0 lead at half-time after goals from Fedor Cernych and Pijus Sirvys. However Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai halved the deficit from the penalty spot, before Barnabas Varga equalised late on.
Hungary remain top of Group G, with Serbia a point behind in second spot after a 3-1 win over neighbours Montenegro, who are five points further back in third. Serbia’s record goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic added two to his tally, Dusan Tadic securing the victory late on.
Slovenia and Denmark secured wins to consolidate their places at the top of Group H. Adam Cerin’s fifth-minute free-kick was enough for Slovenia to beat Northern Ireland 1-0 at Windsor Park. The hosts’ chances of finding an equaliser were hit by a red card for Shea Charles on 58 minutes, the midfielder’s challenge on Andraz Sporar deemed a second bookable offence.
Meanwhile Denmark avoided a shock with a 2-1 win in San Marino thanks to goals from Rasmus Højlund and Yussuf Poulsen. Alessandro Golinucci equalised for San Marino just after the hour but Poulsen’s 70th-minute header gave the visitors victory.
Kazakhstan, four points behind in third, kept their slim qualification hopes alive with a 2-1 win in Finland, Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov scoring twice – once from the penalty spot – after the hosts had led 1-0 at half-time.
