Sports
Switzerland, Croatia qualify for 2018 World Cup after playoffs
Switzerland and Croatia have secured their place in next year’s FIFA World Cup finals after coming out tops in their respective playoff matches.
Switzerland played a 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland in the second leg of their European playoff on Sunday to emerge 1-0 winner on aggregate, having won the first leg.
It was AC Milan’s Ricardo Rodriguez who scored the only goal at Belfast last Thursday from a controversial penalty to seal their place.
Read also: Morocco, Tunisia seal qualification for 2018 World Cup
Croatia on the other hand, drew goalless with Greece in their second leg clash on Sunday, but scaled through courtesy of a 4-1 first leg victory at home.
While this will be Switzerland’s 11th qualification to the global showpiece after making their debut at the second edition in Italy in 1934, it will be Croatia’s 5th having already appeared at the finals four times since their first in 1998.
As it stands, a total of 28 teams around the world have guaranteed their participation at next year’s World Cup, while 4 teams from playoffs are awaited to complete the list by next week.
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