Italy qualifies for Euro 2024 after goalless draw with Ukraine

Italy, Slovenia, Czech Rep. qualify for Euro 2024; Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Albania, Finland, Denmark, Northern Ireland in playoffs. Italy earns redemption, qualifying for Euro 2024; Slovenia, Czech Rep. also secure spots. Czech coach Jaroslav Šilhavý resigns after 3-0 win over Moldova. Italy, Slovenia, Czech Rep. qualify for Euro 2024; Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Albania, Finland, Denmark, Northern Ireland in playoffs.

Italy earned some redemption by qualifying for next year’s European Championship on Monday, while Slovenia and the Czech Republic also secured their spots.

Czech coach Jaroslav Šilhavý resigned shortly after the final whistle against Moldova.

Italy needed just a point against Ukraine to claim second spot in Group C and avoid the dreaded playoffs, and it managed a 0-0 draw in Germany. However, there were some nervy moments for the Azzurri.

Italy failed to qualify for the past two World Cups after losing playoffs — to Sweden and North Macedonia. After the Azzurri missed out on the 2018 World Cup, they went on to win the following European Championship.

“We are very happy. We are where we deserve to be, after all the difficulties that we had,” Italy captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma said. "But thanks to the new coach and the staff we have returned.

“Now it’s right that we go there and we go there to bring back something, even to win it because we are going there as winners.”

Ukraine would have sneaked past Italy with a win but will now head into the playoffs. England was already assured of top spot in the group and it drew at North Macedonia 1-1 to finish the campaign unbeaten.