Sunday, January 26, 2025
8.0°F

Hungary stuns Iceland, joins North Macedonia at Euro 2020

Graham Dunbar | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 2 months AGO
by Graham Dunbar
| November 12, 2020 2:12 PM

Two late goals sent Hungary to the European Championship on Thursday by stunning Euro 2016 upstart Iceland 2-1 in the playoffs.

Hungary trailed from the 11th minute until leveling in the 88th, and when extra time looked likely Dominik Szoboszlai rifled in a low shot to seal the victory in stoppage time in Budapest.

The big prize for Hungary is two home games next June as one of 12 host nations at Euro 2020, where unheralded North Macedonia will make its major tournament debut.

North Macedonia’s 1-0 win at Georgia was earned by 37-year-old captain Goran Pandev’s goal early in the second half.

Two more playoffs were in extra time after 1-1 draws. Serbia scored a 90th minute equalizer against Scotland and Slovakia wasted an early lead at Northern Ireland by giving up an own goal in the 88th.

Scotland is also a host nation with the promise of two home games in Glasgow if it advances in Belgrade

North Macedonia could be the biggest outsider at Euro 2020, currently ranked No. 65 by FIFA, and joins Finland as major tournament newcomers.

The qualifying format guaranteed a tournament place for a low-ranked country that won a group in the bottom tier of the inaugural Nations League played two years ago.

The four Nations League tiers fed into four playoff brackets, giving second chances to teams which did not advance through traditional qualifying groups last year.

The playoffs were originally scheduled for March but were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic which also forced UEFA to push Euro 2020 into next year.

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MORE IMPORTED STORIES

Scotland, Hungary, Slovakia, North Macedonia go to Euro 2020
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 4 years, 2 months ago
Scotland, Hungary, Slovakia, North Macedonia go to Euro 2020
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 4 years, 2 months ago
Veteran Pandev's goal sends North Macedonia to Euro 2020
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 4 years, 2 months ago

ARTICLES BY GRAHAM DUNBAR

Tentacles of Olympic cancellation would reach around globe
March 10, 2020 3:57 a.m.

Tentacles of Olympic cancellation would reach around globe

TOKYO (AP) — The tentacles of canceling the Tokyo Olympics — or postponing or staging it in empty venues — would reach into every corner of the globe, much like the spreading virus that now imperils the opening ceremony on July 24.

Olympic leaders back IOC's Tokyo stance after rare criticism
March 18, 2020 6:25 p.m.

Olympic leaders back IOC's Tokyo stance after rare criticism

GENEVA (AP) — Regional Olympic officials are rallying around the IOC and have backed its stance on opening the Tokyo Games as scheduled, as direct criticism from gold medalist athletes built amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Tentacles of Olympic cancellation would reach around globe
March 10, 2020 6:57 a.m.

Tentacles of Olympic cancellation would reach around globe

TOKYO (AP) — The tentacles of canceling the Tokyo Olympics — or postponing or staging it in empty venues — would reach into every corner of the globe, much like the spreading virus that now imperils the opening ceremony on July 24.