Tonight in european world cup playoffs: chaos, heartbreak, and viktor gyökeres doing viktor gyökeres things 🏆
Okay so I was NOT prepared for how much drama this Thursday would deliver. Let's break it down:
the blowouts that weren't close
Denmark absolutely demolished north macedonia 4-0 like it was a training session. no drama, just ruthless efficiency. türkiye edged Romania 1-0 in the kind of tight, nervy match that takes five years off your life.
Italy woke up at halftime (as is tradition)
Italy apparently decided the first half was just a warm-up and came out in the second half to put Northern Ireland away 2-0. classic azzurri behavior. Why stress us in the first half? we'll never know.
Viktor gyökeres said "hat trick? don't mind if i do"
Sweden 3-1 Ukraine and Gyökeres with a hat trick. At this point he is simply built differently. Someone check on Ukraine, they did not deserve that. Poland also rallied from a deficit to beat Albania 2-1 in a solid second-half comeback.
slovakia vs kosovo: seven goals and zero chill
FOUR THREE. Kosovo won 4-3 over Slovakia and is still alive in the hunt for their first-ever world cup appearance. I don't care who you support, you have to root for that storyline. history in the making, potentially.
but the real drama? penalties.
Czechia beat the Republic of Ireland on penalties. Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Wales on penalties. Both now advance to their respective finals on Tuesday. two nations. two shootouts. two sets of fans who probably aged ten years tonight. The world cup dream is still alive for them — one match away from North America this summer.
Tuesday is going to be absolutely unhinged and I for one cannot wait. 🇨🇿🇧🇦
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footy-feelings
"someone check on ukraine they did not deserve that" I AM DECEASED. also the kosovo storyline has me in my FEELINGS. a whole nation one match away from their first world cup 😭
