Wales failed to trigger their expected qualification party after a goalless draw at home to Israel. Gareth Bale failed to drag his troops to victory in a difficult match, but the extra point leaves the Welsh on the brink of their first finals since 1958.
Belgium left it very late in their tie against Cyprus, with Eden Hazard scoring in the final minutes to deny Wales' Euro 2016 finals confirmation. Meanwhile, Iceland qualified for the first major tournament in the country's history with a 0-0 draw against Kazakhstan. The Czech Republic also qualified by beating Latvia 2-1.
The collapse of Dutch football continued in Turkey on Sunday evening, with the squad losing 3-0 to their hosts and leaving them in a precarious qualification position. However, Italy strengthened their climb up the ladder of success in Group H, with a slim 1-0 win against Bulgaria, which keeps them in first place.
Here are the scores from Sunday, with updated standings and Monday's fixtures:
The Israelis spoiled the carnival atmosphere as Wales poured forward for the win, but the Dragons couldn't breath fire when they needed it most. Wales have failed to qualify for a major finals since the 1958 World Cup, but they now need only a point to break their duck.
Andy King and Aaron Ramsey went closest for the home side, but the visitors' defence was excellent throughout—clearly in the game for a share of the points rather than a shock win.
Wales coach Chris Coleman reasoned about his side's failure to land the knockout punch, blaming travel as an ingredient, per BBC Sport: "The lads were tired at the end of a five hour flight to Cyprus and five hours back. Then playing Israel today, it has taken it out of us. We are four more points closer to where we want to be. We need one more nudge and then we are there."
TalkSport's Colin Murray was calm about Wales' result and expects to see them in the finals:
No party yet but 4 points from 6 for Wales. Last 2 games vs current bottom 2 in group. Happy days. I know what you're doing next summer! ⚽️👍
— colin murray (@ColinMurray) September 6, 2015
A poor display from Belgium almost rubber-stamped Wales' ticket into the finals, despite their earlier draw, but an 85th-minute strike by Eden Hazard gave his country the win away to Cyprus in a game the host's didn't deserve to lose.
Belgium couldn't find the breakthrough they craved for the majority of the match, with the Cypriots going close on several occasions. The Red Devils now trail Wales by a single point in Group B with two matches left to play. Both teams should easily handle Andorra and book passage to the next round.
Aron Gunnarsson was sent off late for Iceland but that couldn't spoil the party, as the small nation secured their ticket for Euro 2016 with a goalless draw against Kazakhstan.
With two matches left to play, Turkey and the Netherlands can no longer overtake Iceland or the Czech Republic at the top of Group A. The Czechs beat Latvia 2-1 and are tied with Iceland for first place.
Meanwhile, the misery for the Netherlands continued on Sunday after they were dismantled by a buoyant Turkey, losing 3-0. Goals by Oguzhan Ozyakup, captain Arda Turan and Burak Yilmaz leave the Dutch on the brink of elimination, nine points behind the Czech Republic and Iceland.
It was the Netherlands' heaviest competitive defeat since their famous 4-1 capitulation at the hands of England at Euro 1996, per BBC Sport. The Dutch have been ever-present at major finals since the 2002 World Cup, but they now face an uphill task to keep this run going.
Italy consolidated top spot in Group H, pulling two points away from the chasing pack, after a 1-0 win against Bulgaria in Palermo. An early Daniele De Rossi penalty was enough to take the points as the Italians inch towards another major finals.
Norway also took a positive steps towards Euro 2016 after defeating Croatia 2-0 in a top-of-the-table clash in Group H. Jo Inge Berget opened the scoring for the home side, with an own goal by Vedran Corluka ending the contest.
In the night's other games, Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrated an expected win against minnows Andorra, winning 3-0. Iceland and Kazakhstan shared a surprise goalless result, with Malta and Azerbaijan playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
A definitive spot of quality from Hazard was enough for Belgium on Sunday, with Bale unable to rise to the occasion against inferior opposition. However, the Belgians looked like great pretenders in their game, and Wales are still on a crest of a wave with two games to play, posting clean sheets with consummate ease.
It has been a horrible few months for the Dutch, and they're primed for elimination at present. They lack cohesion and motivation, with the aging legs of Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder proving Louis van Gaal left at the right time.
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