Already out of running, Israel ends World Cup soccer bid with win

Narrow victory over Faroe Islands can’t keep team in contest ahead of 2022 finals in Qatar, as it finishes third in its group

Israel ended its run in the 2022 soccer World Cup with a win over the Faroe Islands on Monday, though the blue and white team had already been eliminated from the contest last week.

The 3-2 victory against the islanders left hosts Israel finishing third in Group F.

Denmark finished top of the group, despite losing its final qualifying game 2-0 to Scotland.

It was a Scottish 2-0 win over Moldova on Friday that put the final nail in the coffin of Israel’s chances of advancing through the qualifying games into the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar in 2022.

Scotland will now advance to the playoffs, while Denmark will advance directly to the tournament next year.

Israel played its penultimate qualifying match against Austria in Vienna on Friday, twice surrendering a lead to eventually lose 4-2.

Israel had been largely written off in October after a 3-2 defeat to Scotland in Glasgow. In September, the Danes beat Israel 5-0. For Israel, it was an abrupt return to reality after the euphoria of a 5-2 win against Austria.

Scotland has not made it to the World Cup since 1998, while Israel has not qualified since 1970.