2018 European World Cup Qualifiers Ups and Downs

As the groups of the World Cup Qualifiers are completed (except for Africa with one match-day left) we will take a look at the ups and downs of each group. Countries in bold will be participating in the 2018 World Cup, while the countries that are underlined, are in the playoffs.

Europe

In the European qualifiers, there are 9 groups of six teams. 1st place in each group qualifies directly to the World Cup. 2nd place teams enter a playoff round against each other. The rest cannot qualify.

Group A

1. France 23 points
2. Sweden 19 points
3. Netherlands 19 points
4. Bulgaria 13 points
5. Luxembourg 6 points
6. Belarus 5 points 

Ups

• After a unsuccessful Euro 2016 for Sweden and Zlatan's retirement, the Nordic country had a successful qualifiers as they finished above the Netherlands and beat France 2-1 in injury time.
• Bulgaria were the surprise package of the group with shocking wins over the Netherlands and Sweden, but just feel short of a playoff spot.
• In the remaining four matches, Luxembourg were starting to make an impact in Group A, with a win over Belarus, a draw with Bulgaria, and a shock draw over France.

Downs

• As the Netherlands were hoping for a playoff spot after failing to qualify to Euro 2016, it didn't go their way as they tied Sweden, lost to France twice and lost to Bulgaria which cost them a playoff spot.
• This campaign was also a disappointment for Belarus as they finished in last place, and failed to beat Luxembourg with one draw and one loss to them. With their players playing in the Champions League, this is a campaign they want to forget. 

Group B

1. Portugal 27 points

2. Switzerland 27 points

3. Hungary 13 points

4. Faroe Islands 9 points

5. Latvia 7 points

6. Andorra 4 points

Ups

• Although Switzerland ended up finishing 2nd place, they were in first place for most of qualifiers with a 2-0 win over the Euro 2016 champions Portugal.
• For a population of just 50, 000 people, Faroe Islands have achieved a lot as they defeated & tied Latvia, drew Hungary, and finished in 4th place.
• Despite Portugal losing the first match against Switzerland, Portugal were in control of Group B as they won nine matches and only conceded four goals.

Downs

• After a decent performance in Euro 2016, Hungary lost their big matches against Switzerland and Portugal, drew Faroe Islands and lost to Andorra who has a population of 77, 000 inhabitants.
• This has been one of the most disappointing qualifiers for Latvia, as they lost seven games in a row and only scored seven goals in ten matches. With a lack of midfield players who could control the game, it was difficult for the Baltic side to get something going.

Group C

1. Germany 30 points
2. Northern Ireland 19 points
3. Czech Republic 15 points
4. Norway 13 points
5. Azerbaijan 10 points
6. San Marino 0 points

Ups

• The 2014 World Cup champions Germany were on fire, with ten wins in ten matches and have a +39 goal difference, with an average of four goals per match.
• Northern Ireland have shocked Group C by finishing above Czech Republic and had a solid back line as they only conceded six goals (five were against Germany).
• Although Norway were six points short of a playoff spot, they showed signs to be optimistic for Euro 2020 as Bournemouth striker Joshua King scored five goals for the Nordic side.

Downs

• As the Czech Republic were looking to get back into the World Cup since 2006, it didn't go as planned. Two draws against Azerbaijan and Norway and a 2-1 loss to Northern Ireland stopped the Czech's from getting a playoff spot.
• Although San Marino were expected to finish bottom of the group, they conceded 52 goals.

Group D

1. Serbia 21 points
2. Republic of Ireland 19 points
3. Wales 17 points
4. Austria 15 points
5. Georgia 5 points
6. Moldova 2 points

Ups

• Serbia qualified for their first major tournament since 2010, while finishing above three nations who participated in Euro 2016
• The Republic of Ireland continued to impress after Euro 2016 with crucial wins over Wales and Austria and only lost one match.

Downs

• After reaching the semi finals of Euro 2016, Wales had five draws which cost then a place in the World Cup.
• Although the Austrians were one of the favorites to get 2nd place in Group D, they only won one match in the first four games, which brought them down to 4th place. 
• This was a disappointing campaign for Moldova as they finished rock bottom without a win, and they only managed to score four goals.

Group E

1. Poland 25 points

2. Denmark 20 points

3. Montenegro 16 points

4. Romania 13 points

5. Armenia 7 points

6. Kazakhstan 3 points

Ups 

• Poland was very impressive as they finished top of the table with Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski scoring 16 goals in the qualifiers.
• The Danish Dynamite were also impressive as they managed to grab a playoff spot and have a chance to qualify for their first major tournament since 2012. Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen scored eight goals and Kasper Schmeichel had three clean sheets. 
• Although Montenegro would have liked to finish 2nd in the group, they were lethal in front of goal as Stevan Jovetic scored seven goals.

Downs

• Romania will want to focus on Euro 2020 after a unsuccessful campaign, as they lost to Montenegro, Denmark and drew Kazakhstan.
• Armenia were disappointed with themselves as they had big goals for the qualifiers. However they lost seven matches and conceded 26 goals.

Group F

1. England 26 points

2. Slovakia 18 points 

3. Scotland 18 points

4. Slovenia 15 points

5. Lithuania 6 points

6. Malta 1 point

Ups

• It was another successful qualifiers for the Three Lions as they finished on top of Group F without a defeat and only conceded three goals.
• Despite Slovakia not qualifying (due to being the worst runner up) they showed great character and scored 17 goals in the qualifiers.
• Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak was fantastic for Slovenia as he had five clean sheets out of ten matches and only conceded seven goals.

Downs

• Scotland were so close to having a playoff spot, but were unable to defeat Slovenia in the last match.
• It was another heartbreaking campaign for Slovenia as they lost to England and Scotland 1-0 in the last minute of those matches, and were four points short of a playoff spot.
• Lithuania started well with a draw over Slovenia and Scotland, however they struggled with 4-0 defeats to Slovakia and Slovenia and a 3-0 loss to Scotland.

Group G

1. Spain 28 points

2. Italy 23 points

3. Albania 13 points

4. Israel 12 points

5. Macedonia 11 points

6. Liechtenstein 0 points

Ups

• After Italy knocked Spain out of Euro 2016, Spain got their revenge and defeated Italy 3-0 and grabbed the top spot, while having a +33 goal difference.
• Lazio striker Ciro Immobile was lethal in front of goal as he scored six goals in the qualifiers.
• Despite Macedonia finishing in 5th place, they proved to be no push over and drew Italy 1-1 away. The Macedonians have every reason to be excited about the Euro 2020 qualifiers as they have potential.

Downs

• Israel could have been a surprise pack to Group G, however with a 0-3 defeat to Albania and a 0-1 defeat to Macedonia, Israel finished in 4th place with 11 points below Italy.
• Liechtenstein lost every match in Group G. They only scored one goal and conceded 39 goals.

Group H

1. Belgium 28 points

2. Greece 19 points

3. Bosnia and Herzegovina 17 points

4. Estonia 11 points 

5. Cyprus 10 points

6. Gibraltar 0 points

Ups

• Belgium dominated Group H as they won nine matches and scoring 43 goals. Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku scored 11 goals for the Red Devils and was a key player in Belgium's dominance.
• After finishing last place in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, Greece have bounced back and got 2nd place as Watford keeper Orestis Karnezis had five clean sheets.
• Despite Estonia struggling in the qualifiers, they started to make an impact as they tied Greece 0-0 and beat Cyprus 1-0 to get 4th place in the group. 

Downs

• It was a very heartbreaking campaign for Bosnia and Herzegovina, as they were only two points away from a playoff spot. Narrow defeats to Cyprus and Belgium were tough for the Bosnian's to grasp.
• After a shocking 3-2 win over Bosnia, Cyprus had a huge opportunity to grab a playoff spot. However they blew their chances after losing to Estonia 1-0 away and to Greece 2-1 at home

Group I

1. Iceland 22 points

2. Croatia 20 points

3. Ukraine 17 points

4. Turkey 15 points

5. Finland 9 points

6. Kosovo 1 point

Ups

• Iceland proved to everyone that they are not a one hit wonder. They defeated some of the best teams in Eastern Europe such as Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey. Iceland became the smallest country to participate in the World Cup with a population of 330,000 inhabitants. 
• Croatia also had a successful qualifiers despite not getting 1st place. Croatia's back line was very solid as Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic had six clean sheets.

Downs

• It was a disappointing qualifiers for Turkey as they conceded 13 goals and lost crucial matches to Ukraine and Iceland.
• Although Ukraine has improved since Euro 2016 they were just three points short of a playoff spot, and had two draws to Iceland and Turkey which they could have won.
• As this was the first time Kosovo is allowed to participate in a FIFA competition, they lost nine matches and lacked team chemistry. Kosovo will be looking to improve in the Euro 2020 qualifiers.