The first legs of the UEFA playoffs were played on THU 09-SAT 11 NOV 2017, and most proved to be tight affairs that should set up thrilling return legs.

• Northern Ireland 00-01 Switzerland: Looking to make their first Men’s World Cup appearance since 1986, N Ireland kept the match close but will feel hard done by after a penalty that led to the Swiss goal. In the 57th minute, Corry EVANS blocked a shot by Switzerland’s Xherdan SHAQIRI, but the referee whistled for a handball, despite replays showing that the ball struck Evans’s upper arm tucked against his body. Ricardo RODRÍGUEZ scored on the resulting penalty, earning a vital away goal.
• Croatia 04-01 Greece: Down 2-0 in the 30th minute, Greece began to turn things around when Sokratis PAPASTATHOPOULOS headed in a corner. However, Ivan PERIŠIĆ headed in a cross at the other end just three minutes later, as Croatia were on their way to a comfortable first leg victory.
• Sweden 01-00 Italy: Sweden came away with a narrow win on Jakob JOHANSSON’s goal just after the hour mark, but the Azzurri enjoyed more than sixty percent of the possession and demonstrated flashes of the attacking prowess that they will depend upon in the return leg at the San Siro.
• Denmark 00-00 Ireland Rep: Darren RANDOLPH was the hero in the visiting side’s goal, with two saves in quick succession in the first half off shots by Jens STRYGER LARSEN and Andreas CORNELIUS. A win in Dublin on Tuesday will see Ireland Rep into their fourth Men’s World Cup.