Defeat Iceland, Slovakia Accompany Portugal To Euro 2024

Slovakia celebrates qualifying for the Euro 2024 finals after beating Iceland 4-2. (Twitter @EURO2024)

JAKARTA - Slovakia has made sure to qualify for the Euro 2024 finals after beating Iceland 4-2 in the Euro 2024 qualifying Group J match at the National Football Stadium, Friday, November 17 in the morning WIB. Slovakia also accompanied Portugal who had already qualified first.

Slovakia, which competes with Luxembourg and Iceland, has to work hard to win tickets to the finals for the third time in a row. Slovakia finally made sure to qualify after winning over Iceland in the ninth match.

The result made Slovakia, which is in second place in Group J, have 19 points. With a five-point advantage, Slovakia can no longer be chased by Luxembourg, which is in third place.

Portugal itself has got tickets to Germany faster. Their points cannot be chased by their competitors. In the last match, Portugal beat Liechtenstein 2-0 which confirmed their position at the top of the standings with 27.

Meanwhile, Iceland could actually keep its chances if they win over Slovakia stuck in third place. The defeat left Iceland with only 10 points and could not catch Slovakia in the last game.

In a match that was held at home, Slovakia had difficulty facing Iceland. Even the hosts fell behind more when striker Orri Oskarsson broke into Slovakia's goal. Oskarsson's goal was created with a header in the 17th minute.

After trailing 1-0, Slovakia began to rise and dominate the game. Milan Skriniar et al's efforts to break through Iceland's defense finally paid off in the 30th minute.

The host's goal was produced by Juraj Kuck. Furthermore, just six minutes later, it was on the midfielder Ondrej Duda's turn to increase the advantage from the penalty spot.

Slovakia was awarded a penalty following a foul by Icelandianman Kristian Hlynsson on the Widower. The score turned 2-1 for Slovakia and lasted until halftime.

Slovakia became calmer after solidifying its lead when the second half had only been running for two minutes. This time, Lukas Haraslin broke into the opponent's goal after receiving Duda's assist.

Even Haraslin then scored a brace in the 55th minute. The score changed to 4-1. Slovakia is also in an euphoric situation because it will step into Germany.

However, they were surprised by Andri Gudjohnsen's goal in the 74th minute. He used a wild ball with his thigh when he directed the ball at the goal.

The score changed to 4-2. No more goals were created and Slovakia maintained that advantage to qualify for the finals.

Slovak coach Francesco Calzona said he was satisfied with the success of the team in qualifying for the finals. Moreover, the team had to work hard because they conceded first. They also managed to get through the difficult times because they had received criticism.

"I am satisfied to see the happiness of the people around me. Players deserve to celebrate this success, especially after they don't stop being criticized. I am very satisfied," said Calzona.

"Frankly, I was stressed after we conceded. But it was only for a few moments. In the second half, everything became easier for us. Moreover, we were indeed a better team and played better too," he said.

In the last game that was no longer decisive, Slovakia faced the hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina, November 20 in the morning WIB. While Iceland is hosted by Portugal.