MATCHDAY: France, Austria, Belgium and Portugal can advance to Euro 2024 with wins in qualifiers
A look at what´s happening in European soccer on Friday:
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING
GROUP B
France has been cruising through its qualifying campaign with five wins from five games in Group B and a victory at the Netherlands would secure a spot in next year's tournament in Germany for the two-time champions. France could also qualify with a draw if Greece loses at Ireland in the group´s other game. France is yet to concede a goal in the qualifying.
GROUP F
The winner between joint Group F leaders Austria and Belgium would secure qualification for the Euros. At Vienna´s Ernst Happel Stadium, Belgium will rely on forward Romelu Lukaku who is the top scorer in qualifying with eight goals from five games. Third-place Sweden is idle while Estonia hosts Azerbaijan in a game between the bottom clubs.
Roma's Romelo Lukaku celebrates scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Cagliari and AS Roma, at the Unipol Domus Stadium in Cagliari, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. (Gianluca Zuddas/LaPresse via AP)
GROUP J
Portugal has a comfortable lead atop Group J after six straight wins and a 24-0 goal difference. Another win against Slovakia in Porto in would clinch a spot in Germany. Even a draw would be enough for Portugal if Luxembourg loses at Iceland. Last-place Liechtenstein hosts Bosnia.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
