U21 Euros Qualifiers: Moreira, Adewumi and Sauer score as four playoff spots remain

12 national teams are qualified for the 2027 U21 Euros after the end of the group stage qualification campaign on Tuesday. Eight teams will contest next month’s playoff for the remaining four spots.

Spain, Belgium and Poland joined Germany to automatically qualify for the tournament on the final day. The former scored 20 goals in their last two games against San Marino and Romania.

Hoffenheim’s Nathan De Cat came off the bench as Belgium drew goalless away at second-placed Denmark to finish top of Group I. 

Poland’s perfect record came to an end with a 6-2 defeat to Italy on Monday, but they finished top in the rankings of second-placed teams ahead of Greece by a single goal.

Croatia, Norway, Portugal, England, France and Italy are already qualified for the tournament in Albania and Serbia. Greece will be joined by Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Republic of Ireland, Türkiye, Netherlands and Czechia in next month’s playoff round.

From 21 games on the last day of the group stage, Leverkusen gem Afonso Moreira and Hertha BSC’s winger Oluwaseun Adewumi scored their first goals at this level.

The former Lyon youngster netted the second goal as Portugal U21 closed their successful campaign with a 2-0 win over Czechia in Leiria. Adewumi was on target in Austria’s 7-1 victory against Wales at The Oval.

Meanwhile, Slovakia U21 captain Mario Sauer scored both goals in their 2-1 win in Andorra. The Kaiserslautern attacker has already played three times for the senior national team.

However, that result was not enough for them to finish in the playoff spot as the Republic of Ireland recorded a come-from-behind 3-1 win against already qualified England in Cork. 

Köln’s Jahmai Simpson-Pusey made his debut for Lee Carsley’s side, while Borussia Dortmund’s midfielder Ethan Nwaneri played the first-half.