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Reuters

Denmark go to next year’s World Cup with one of the world’s top 10 players in Christian Eriksen, coach Age Hareide said on Tuesday, after the Tottenham playmaker grabbed a hat-trick in the 5-1 thrashing of Ireland.
Denmark booked their ticket to Russia in style in the second leg in Dublin, running away with a tie that was in the balance after a goalless first game in Copenhagen.
“All the teams who go to the World Cup have star players and players who can make the difference and Christian showed that today,” Hareide told a news conference.
“He’s absolutely in the top 10 [players in the world]. We saw it against Real Madrid, he’s probably one of the best players in his position in Europe at the moment.
“He has this capability of scoring goals, making assists and finding space.”

Asked how far his free-flowing team could go at next year’s tournament, Hareide said it would depend on the draw but added that the side wanted to improve and play good football.
For Ireland, it was a very different story.
Sweden a long-time jinx to Italy when it comes to foiling their hopes at major tournaments
Solid and organised four days ago, and leading early on Tuesday, they completely capitulated, leaving manager Martin O’Neill to face difficult questions over his tactics, half-time changes and whether the occasion got to his players.
“I’m naturally disappointed because a couple of nights ago in Copenhagen we had fought very, very strongly,” O’Neill, who cut short an interview with national broadcaster RTE, told a news conference.

“The two goals we conceded in the space of a couple minutes [to trail 2-1] knocked us for six really, they were very, very poor goals … We were well beaten in the end by a side who are technically better than us.”
O’Neill said he still intended to sign a new two-year contract agreed in principle with the Football Association of Ireland and would guide the team in their bid to reach Euro 2020.
With questions over O’Neill’s tactics likely to dominate the Irish sports pages on Wednesday, his opposite number was asked how successful the Irish manager’s approach had been.
“If you lose 5-1, you’re not successful,” Hareide said.


The World Cup: How did fans celebrate their victories in the round of 16 

Italy Gian Piero Ventura after failing to reach World Cup following play-off loss to Sweden

Christian Eriksen one of top 10 players in the world says coach as Denmark crush Ireland to book World Cup spot

Sweden a long-time jinx to Italy when it comes to foiling their hopes at major tournaments

2018 Fifa World Cup European qualifying

Christian Eriksen (right) celebrates after against Ireland. Photo: EPA

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Republic of Ireland vs Denmark - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland - November 14, 2017 Denmark players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Republic of Ireland vs Denmark - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland - November 14, 2017 Republic of Ireland’s Jeff Hendrick and Shane Duffy looks dejected at the end of the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

‘I still can’t believe it has happened. It’s over’ – dismay and disbelief as Italy miss out on World Cup qualification

Italy supporters reacted in disbelief after the 0-0 World Cup 2018 play-off draw with Sweden condemned them to the World Cup exit. Photo: AFP

Italy's supporters react at the end of the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Italy and Sweden, on November 13, 2017 in a pub of Milan. Italy failed to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1958 on Monday as they were held to a 0-0 draw in the second leg of their play-off at the San Siro by Sweden, who qualified with a 1-0 aggregate victory. / AFP PHOTO / Piero CRUCIATTI

(171114) -- MILAN, Nov. 14, 2017 (Xinhua) -- Gianluigi Buffon of Italy reacts after the second leg of World Cup 2018 Qualifiers playoff match between Italy and Sweden in Milan, Italy, Nov. 13, 2017. The match ended 0-0. Sweden was qualified for the final stage of 2018 FIFA World Cup with 1-0 on aggregate. (Xinhua/Alberto Lingria)

Italian team supporters watch the World Cup qualifying play-off second leg soccer match between Italy and Sweden, in a pub in downtown Rome, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)

Sport

Football

Tottenham star hits a hat-trick in 5-1 second leg drubbing in Dublin as Danes book their ticket to Russia
