Tiny Faroe Islands took a big step toward its first World Cup on Sunday with a stunning 2-1 win against the Czech Republic.<\/p>\n
Ranked 136th by FIFA, the nation with a population of less than 55,000 has put itself in contention for the playoffs for next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. <\/p>\n
A run of four wins from its last five qualifying matches has seen it climb to third in Group L. And victory against the second-placed Czechs means just one point separates the teams in the likely race to be runner-up to Croatia and secure a place in the playoffs. <\/p>\n
Substitute Martin Agnarsson was the hero for host Faroe Islands, which is located halfway between Scotland and Iceland and has a land area of just 540 square miles. The team has long been a minnow of European soccer and at its lowest point was ranked 198th.<\/p>\n
And it was the underdog against a Czech team still hoping to win the group. But Agnarsson’s 81st-minute goal not only delivered a blow to Czech chances of qualifying automatically as group winner but opened up the fight for runner-up with one game remaining for both teams.<\/p>\n
The upset was on once Hanus Sorensen put Faroe Islands ahead in the 67th minute at Torsvollur, a stadium with a capacity of just over 6,000 in the capital Torshavn. Adam Karabec had leveled in the 78th before Agnarsson’s decisive goal. <\/p>\n
Croatia \u2014 World Cup runner-up in 2018 and semifinalist in 2022 \u2014 leads the group by three points after a 3-0 win at home to Gibraltar and has a far superior goal difference. Croatia also has a game in hand on the Czechs and Faroe Islands.<\/p>\n
Depay delivers again for Netherlands<\/p>\n
Netherlands continues to lead the way in Group G after a 4-0 win against Finland in Amsterdam. <\/p>\n
Memphis Depay scored from the penalty spot for a record-extending 54th goal for his country. The former Manchester United forward has scored seven goals in six qualifying games during this campaign. <\/p>\n
Donyell Malen, Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo were also on target for the Dutch who top the group on 16 points with two games remaining. <\/p>\n
Poland is three points behind in second. Sebastian Szymanski scored directly from a corner and Robert Lewandowski got the other goal in Poland’s 2-0 win against Lithuania.<\/p>\n
Too close to call<\/p>\n
Denmark and Scotland are neck and neck at the top of Group C after both teams won again. <\/p>\n
Scotland beat Belarus 2-1 after goals from Che Adams and Scott McTominay put it in control at Hampden Park. Gleb Kuchko pulled one back in stoppage time for Belarus. <\/p>\n
Rasmus Hojlund’s hot streak continues since leaving Manchester United to join Napoli on loan last month. <\/p>\n
He got Denmark started with the first goal in a 3-1 win against Greece. That’s eight combined for club and country since his move. <\/p>\n
Denmark leads the group, ahead of Scotland on goal difference, with both teams on 10 points after four games. <\/p>\n
Austria brought down to earth<\/p>\n
After the 10-0 rout of San Marino on Thursday, Group H leader Austria saw its 100% record ended by Romania.<\/p>\n
Virgil Ghita\u2019s goal in the fifth minute of added time sealed a 1-0 win for Romania.<\/p>\n
That was good news for second-placed Bosnia and Herzegovina with just two points separating the top two.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
James Robson is at https:\/\/x.com\/jamesalanrobson<\/a><\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n