Wales hold Belgium to seal runners-up spot, Dutch qualify

Wales held Belgium to a 1-1 draw to guarantee themselves runners-up spot behind the world number ones in World Cup qualifying Group E in Cardiff on Tuesday.

Kieffer Moore cancelled out Kevin de Bruyne’s early opener to earn the Welsh the point they required to stay in front of the Czech Republic who beat Estonia.

Despite having already assured themselves of a place in the playoffs next March courtesy of their Nations League results, finishing second in the group means that Robert Page’s side could enjoy a more favourable semi-final draw.

Wales more than matched Belgium, especially in the second half, and Neco Williams was denied a spectacular late goal when his powerful effort was saved by visiting keeper Koen Casteels.

Belgium, who won the group with 20 points, appeared content to maintain their long unbeaten run in World Cup qualifiers which now stretches to 28 games.

Wales are trying to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1958.

Netherlands qualify for World Cup with late win over Norway
Steven Bergwijn and Memphis Depay scored late as the Netherlands qualified for next year’s World Cup with a 2-0 home victory over Norway on Tuesday to win Group G.

The Dutch return to the finals after missing out on the 2018 tournament in Russia but with little conviction after limping through their last two qualifiers.

They had been eight minutes from securing early qualification on Saturday before giving up two goals to draw in Montenegro but Tuesday’s victory in an empty stadium due to COVID-19 restrictions was enough to win the group.

The Netherlands finished with 23 points from 10 games, two more than Turkey, who won 2-1 away to Montenegro to secure a playoff spot. Norway ended third in the group with 18 points.

Mbappe and Benzema inspire France to 2-0 win against Finland
Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe were on target again in a sharp second-half performance as France completed their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 away win against Finland on Tuesday.

The French attack stuttered until Benzema came on as a second-half substitute and Mbappe set him up for the opener.

Mbappe then scored France’s second as the world champions, who had already qualified for Qatar 2022 after Saturday’s 8-0 demolition of Kazakhstan, finished Group D with 18 points from eight games.

Tuesday results:
Czech Republic (0) 2 Estonia (0) 0
Wales (1) 1 Belgium (1) 1
Bosnia-Herzegovina (0) 0 Ukraine (0) 2
Finland (0) 0 France (0) 2
Gibraltar (1) 1 Latvia (1) 3
Montenegro (1) 1 Turkey (1) 2
Netherlands (0) 2 Norway (0) 0