Paris: Midfielder Blaise Matuidi’s early goal saw off Bulgaria 1-0 and kept France top of European World Cup qualifying Group A, while the Netherlands’ hopes are hanging by a thread despite a 3-1 win in Belarus.
Matuidi curled home a fantastic shot from a tight angle into the far top corner in the third minute.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands needed a victory in Barysaw to keep alive any hopes of a top-two finish, but despite a goal from Dutchman Davy Propper, Belarus equalised through Maksim Volodjko. Captain Arjen Robben netted a penalty with only six minutes remaining, before Memphis Depay added some gloss in the injury-time.
The Netherlands are looking to avoid failing to qualify for successive major tournaments for the first time since 1986, having also missed out on Euro 2016. But they now face a near impossible task, as Sweden thrashed Luxembourg 8-0 earlier Saturday, to extend their advantage over Dick Advocaat’s men on goal difference to 12.
Trailing the Scandinavians by three points, only a massive victory over Sweden in Amsterdam next week will save the three-time World Cup runners-up.
Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench in the second half to help Portugal stumble to a 2-0 win and set up a winner-takes-all showdown with Switzerland in Lisbon Tuesday.
Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, before Andre Silva finally put their nerves to bed. Ronaldo is now level on 15 goals for the campaign with Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, a record for European World Cup qualifying.
Costa Rica clinch berth
San Jose: Kendall Watson’s header deep into injury time gave Costa Rica a 1-1 draw with Honduras and a berth in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Eddie Hernandez had headed Honduras ahead in the 66th minute. But five minutes into stoppage time, Watson rose in the center of the area to head in Bryan Ruiz’s cross. Costa Rica, with 16 points, joined Mexico (21) in advancing from the North and Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) region with three final matches to play Tuesday.
Other results
Switzerland 5 Hungary 2
Belgium 4 Bosnia 3
Greece 2 Cyprus 1
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