Croatia took care of business, securing a solid 3-0 victory against Gibraltar in Varazdin. This win practically secured their spot in the upcoming World Cup. Only a major disaster could stop them now, thanks to an amazing upset elsewhere. The Faroe Islands delivered a historic 2-1 triumph over the Czech Republic in Torshavn.
Luka Modric’s Croatian squad saw goals from Fruk, Sucic, and Erlic. With two games still left to play, Croatia now boasts a three-point lead over the Czech Republic, standing at 16 points to 13. Crucially, the Czech Republic has only one match remaining. If points were to end up tied, the goal difference would be the decider. Croatia holds a massive advantage there, with a 19-4 record in their favor.
What a moment for the Faroe Islands! This team sits at 136th in the FIFA rankings. Their win over the Czech Republic, ranked 39th, was their first ever against them. Sorensen and Agnarsson scored the goals. This marked the Faroe Islands’ third win in a row, following victories against Gibraltar and Montenegro. That’s something they’ve never done before. It’s quite a feat for a territory with just 55,000 residents.
The fight for second place in Group L is now squarely between the Czech Republic and the Faroe Islands. The Czech Republic remains the favorite to reach the playoffs. They have one more point, 13 to the Faroe Islands’ 12. Plus, the Czech Republic faces Gibraltar in their final game. The Faroe Islands, on the other hand, have a tough trip to Croatia for their last match.