Big boys stroll over the line, qualify for Euro 2020

Paris, November 17

Netherlands, Germany, World Cup finalists Croatia and defending champions Portugal expanded a list of big hitters to qualify for Euro 2020 as they booked their places at next summer’s finals. Austria also made it through to the multi-host tournament, which begins in Rome on June 12, with 16 sides now ensured of a spot at the 24-team event and only four places remaining from the main qualifying route. They join other big names such like world champions France, Spain, Italy and England.

Ronald Koeman’s resurgent Dutch needed a point to qualify for their first major tournament since coming third at the 2014 World Cup and got what they needed in a scrappy goalless draw with Northern Ireland in Belfast.

Germany join the Dutch

The draw allowed fierce rivals Germany to move top in the group as Toni Kroos hit a brace in a simple 4-0 win over Belarus in Moenchengladbach which saw them qualify for the Euros for the 13th time in a row. A win over Northern Ireland in Frankfurt on Tuesday will guarantee Loew’s new-look side first place.

Croatia in control

Croatia survived a scare to secure their place after coming from behind to beat Slovakia 3-1 in Rijeka.

The World Cup runners-up needed just a point to ensure qualification from Group E but Robert Bozenik stunned the home crowd when he tapped the away side ahead in the 32nd minute.

However, it was one-way traffic in the second half and Croatia’s qualification was never in doubt once Nikola Vlasic drilled home the leveller. Bruno Petkovic headed the hosts in front and Ivan Perisic sealed the three points with a thumping finish with 16 minutes left.

Wales with fighting chance

That win gives Wales a fighting chance of qualifying after their 2-0 victory over Azerbaijan. Ryan Giggs’ side stay third thanks to first-half headed goals from Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson and Slovakia losing against the Croats. They are just one point behind second-placed Hungary, who travel to Cardiff on the final day for a winner-takes-all clash. They are second in Group G behind Poland, who had already qualified going into this round of games but maintained a three-point lead at the top of the group thanks to a 2-1 win at Israel.

In Saint Petersburg, the Hazard brothers made short work of Russia as already-qualified Belgium maintained their 100 percent record with a 4-1 win that secured them top spot in Group I. Eden and Thorgan Hazard put Roberto Martinez’s side three goals ahead at the break before in-form Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku crashed home the fourth in the 72nd minute to make absolutely sure of the result.

Portugal edge Luxembourg

Luxembourg: Defending champions Portugal edged past Luxembourg 2-0 away from home. Bruno Fernandes broke the deadlock in the 39th minute and Cristiano Ronaldo added the second with four minutes left to ensure that Portugal finished second in Group B with 17 points, three ahead of Serbia who drew 2-2 with Ukraine.

Ronaldo’s goal took his international tally to 99, leaving him on the brink of becoming only the second player in history to score 100 goals for a national team.

England beat Kosovo

Captain Harry Kane scored his 12th goal of the campaign as England secured a place among the top six seeds for next year’s European Championship with a somewhat flattering 4-0 win in Kosovo in their final qualifier. — Agencies