October 21 – Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal against Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden was the pick of the ties when the draw for the European playoffs for next year’s World Cup finals was made today.
Former world champions France, disappointed not to have been seeded, nevertheless should fancy their chances of getting through at the expense of Ukraine.
Outsiders Iceland, by far the lowest ranked team in the playoffs, were paired with Croatia, a not insurmountable task given their opponent’s unpredictability but will almost certainly have to take a healthy lead to Zagreb for the second leg to reach their first ever World Cup finals. The fourth tie sees Greece up against Romania.
The play-offs will be played on November 15 and 19, with the away goals rule applying.
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