FIFA World Cup qualifiers: 5 most historic European playoff fixtures

Modified Oct 23, 2017 11:10 GMT

Who will be the final four??The 2018 World Cup qualifiers have reached its business end with 22 out of 31 teams booking their spots to join hosts Russia for the most popular sporting event in the world.

#2 France 3-2 Ukraine (2014)

France pulled off a great escape against Ukraine

What is it with France and their luck in World Cup playoffs?

After being dumped to the 2014 UEFA playoffs by reigning World Champions Spain, France drew Ukraine for the tie. The first leg at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev saw the French having nightmares about their pathetic performance at the previous World Cup.

After a goalless first half, Roman Zozulya and Andriy Yarmolenko scored for Ukraine in a 2-0 victory which saw the French World Cup hopes hanging by a thread. The French needed a victory by three clear goals in the return leg to qualify for the World Cup, and the Irish, at least, were hoping for poetic justice to catch up to France.

But, in front of a roaring Saint-Denis crowd, France jumped to a 2-0 lead within the first 35 minutes. Mamadou Sakho would score his first and France's third goal in the 72nd minute to give Les Blues the victory they needed and a spot in Brazil for the World Cup.

Edited by Aakanksh Sanketh