With an equalizer in stoppage time, Spain earned the point it needed against Sweden to qualify for the 2020 European Championship, while Ireland missed its chance to seal a spot in next year’s tournament by losing to Switzerland.
Already qualified Italy routed Liechtenstein 5-0 for a record-equaling ninth straight win.
After conceding a late equalizer against Norway to miss an opportunity to qualify in advance, Spain salvaged a 1-1 draw in its visit to Sweden with a goal by Rodrigo two minutes into injury time at Friends Arena.
“If we don’t win every match people will start saying that we are not playing well, but things don’t always go your way in football,” Rodrigo said. “The important thing is that we have qualified. Now we have time to try to improve.”
Coach Robert Moreno dedicated the spot at Euro 2020 to former Spain manager Luis Enrique, who resigned in June to be with his ill daughter.
Sweden remained second in Group F, five points behind Spain and one point in front of third-place Romania, which squandered a chance to move past Sweden after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Norway at home. The Norwegians stayed alive after their second consecutive last-gasp draw. Romania and Sweden will meet in the next round.