Iceland qualified for their first major tournament on Sunday, but Wales must wait a little longer to secure a place at Euro 2016 after Belgium grabbed a late winner in Cyprus. Iceland’s goalless draw against Kazakhstan was a drab affair, but it was enough to guarantee the tiny nation a place as one of the top two finishers in Group A, along with the Czech Republic.
Wales were also held to a goalless draw by Israel in Group B and now need one point from their final two matches next month to make it to France next year.
Italy remained in command of Group H after Daniele de Rossi’s early penalty was enough to secure a 1-0 win against Bulgaria.
Photo: EPA
The top two finishers from the nine groups qualify automatically for next year’s tournament. The best third-place team also qualifies automatically, while the eight remaining third-place teams go to a playoff to contest the last four qualifying places.
In Group A, the Netherlands’ chances of qualifying slipped further away as the team that finished third at last year’s FIFA World Cup crashed to a 3-0 defeat in Turkey.
The resounding victory meant that Turkey overtook the Netherlands in the race for third place in Group A. The Netherlands now trail Turkey by two points, with two games left to play.
Oguzhan Ozyakup put Turkey 1-0 up in the eighth minute, before goals from Arda Turan and Burak Yilmaz completed the rout.
Iceland are to be joined in France next year by the Czech Republic after their 2-1 win over Latvia. Both sides have 19 points — seven more than Turkey.
In Group B, Wales had two chances to seal progress to their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.
A victory over Israel would have guaranteed Wales a place in next year’s European Championships, but Israel ground out a point they appeared to come for thanks to a solid defensive display.
The unbeaten Welsh were then relying on the unlikely scenario of Cyprus taking points off Belgium, the world’s second-ranked team. Just when it looked as if it might happen, Eden Hazard swept in a left-footed finish on a counterattack to seal a scrappy 1-0 win for Belgium.
Wales remain in a strong position to qualify, requiring just one point from an away match against Bosnia-Herzegovina or at home to Andorra.
Wales lead Belgium by a point, with Israel four points further back in third. Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Andorra 3-0 to trim the gap to Israel to two points with two rounds of games left.
In Group H, Italy are on the brink of securing qualification after two 1-0 successive victories moved them top of their qualifying group.
Daniele de Rossi scored with a retaken penalty. However, the Roma midfielder went from hero to villain when he was sent off in the second half, along with Bulgaria forward Iliyan Mitsanski.
Jo Inge Berget helped Norway beat Croatia 2-0 to leapfrog above their opponents into second spot, netting the first before seeing a shot deflected in by the unfortunate Vedran Corluka.
Italy have 18 points, two more than Norway. Croatia are a point further back. Bulgaria have eight points, while Azerbaijan have six and Malta two after a 2-2 draw.
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