Israel officially out of 2022 World Cup as Scotland secures 2nd spot in group
Scots defeat Moldova to advance to playoff game with chance to enter next year’s soccer tournament, while first-place Denmark qualifies; Israel later loses to Austria
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Scotland’s national soccer team defeated Moldova on Friday 2-0, putting the final nail in the coffin of Israel’s chances of advancing through the qualifying games into the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar next year.
A Scottish loss could have feasibly led Israel, in third place in Group F, into second place and a playoff round to enter the 2022 World Cup. This was taken off the table, and it is Scotland that will advance to playoffs, while group leader Denmark will advance directly to the tournament in Qatar next year.
Israel then played its penultimate qualifying match against Austria in Vienna later Friday, twice surrendering a lead to eventually lose 4-2.
Israel plays its final game in the qualifiers by hosting the Faroe Islands on November 15. But although it is expected to win that game, the Qatar finals are out of reach.
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.
The Times of Israel Community.