Spain and France got the job done in their respective 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as they won their games to stay unbeaten with 2 wins and 1 draw each to calm early nerves en route to the biggest stage of them all.
Spain 3-1 Kosovo
Manchester City attacker Ferran Torres found his name on the scoresheet as Spain continued their unbeaten run in World Cup qualifying with victory against Kosovo.
Ferran Torres scored for Spain (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo opened the scoring in the 34th minute for La Furia Roja with a fine finish from the edge of the area before Torres made it two just a couple of minutes later, with a well-drilled shot into the bottom-left corner.
Spain were in complete control in the first half going into the break with a 2-goal lead.
Besar Halimi pulled one back for Kosovo in the 70th minute to give Kosovo some sort of hope but it did not last too long as just 5 minutes later, Villareal’s Gerard Moreno headed in a third goal to kill the game off.
Victory for Spain means they are top of Group B with seven points from three games, 1 point ahead of Sweden who have a game in hand.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 France
Antoine Griezmann’s second-half goal was enough to give world champions France victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
After a goalless first half, Barcelona‘s Griezmann opened the scoring at the hour mark with a simple header from close range assisted by Juventus central midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
Antoine Griezmann scored again for Les Bleus (Photo by Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard who scored the goal of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, saw a powerful shot blocked as France pushed for more but in the end, could not add to their lead.
France did enough to win the game in the end to stay on top of Group D with seven points from three games as they now have a commanding lead over the rest of the group.
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris played a huge part in ensuring France took the three points after making a number of fine saves in the first half.
France come into this year’s European Championship and next year’s FIFA World Cup as favourites.
