Click here for the latest Euro 2016 qualifying standings.
It’s been another terrible night for Holland. Their only hope of qualification now comes through a third-placed play-off. To get there they must finish with more points than Turkey (the same points won’t be enough as Turkey have the edge in their head-to-head). Holland have two games from which they will probably need six points to overhaul Turkey’s two-point advantage.
Iceland and Czech Republic have taken full advantage and both nations have qualified, with Iceland reaching their first major championships. Elsewhere, Wales nudged closer to Euro 2016 and, with Andorra waiting in the final match, Welsh fans can probably start to clear their diary next summer. And Croatia were the big losers in Group H, after defeat to Norway and Italy’s win against Bulgaria.
Thanks for reading. Bye!
Updated
Sunday's scores
Latvia 1-2 Czech Republic
Turkey 3-0 Holland
Malta 2-2 Azerbaijan
Norway 2-0 Croatia
Wales 0-0 Israel
Iceland 0-0 Kazakhstan
Bosnia & Herzegovina 3-0 Andorra
Cyprus 0-1 Belgium
Italy 1-0 Bulgaria
Full-time: Italy 1-0 Bulgaria
Daniele De Rossi’s first-half penalty was the difference, despite his red card in the second.
Full-time: Bosnia & Herzegovina 3-0 Andorra
Not hugely convincing from Bosnia but the job is done.
Full-time: Cyprus 0-1 Belgium
Vertonghen clears the danger and Belgium hold on to the three points. Wales still have a little bit of work to do to reach Euro 2016, but they are nearly there. Belgium didn’t play well, at all, but they stay in the driving seat as they battle Israel for the other automatic qualifying spot.
Cyprus have one last attack...
Full-time: Iceland 0-0 Kazakhstan
Iceland qualify for their first major championships! They huddle up and give it the olés in the pouring rain.
Updated
In Palermo, Belucci shoots wide as Italy’s slug with Bulgaria dwindles towards full-time. Italy will be top of Group H if they can hold onto this 1-0 win.
Belgium suddenly inject some pace into a forward break, and Eden Hazard sprints on to a Mertens cross to side foot the ball past Giorgallides with plenty of power just inside the box.
GOAL! Cyprus 0-1 Belgium (Hazard, 86)
Wales will have to wait a little longer...
Iceland will be through to their first major finals with this draw against Kazakhstan, along with Czech Republic at the top of Group A. Who would have thought that this time last week? Holland are fourth and have a huge task ahead of them to make Euro 2016 after two defeats on the bounce.
Florenzi and Zaza come on for Italy in place of Pellè and El Shaarawy. The game has spluttered a little since the double sending off.
Latest scores
Group A: Iceland 0-0 Kazakhstan
Group B: Bosnia & Herzegovina 3-0 Andorra
Group B: Cyprus 0-0 Belgium
Group H: Italy 1-0 Bulgaria
Wales are almost through to Euro 2016...
Kompany thumps into Sotiriou in an aerial challenge, and flattens him. The striker trudges off for some treatment but he’ll be OK to continue.
Phil Grey to my question of whether a non-England team has ever played with more Premier League players than 11: “I’m guessing Ireland have done that.” I’m sure the Rep of Ireland have, though they normally have a handful or more from the Championship in their squad.
Everton’s Muhamed Besic appeared to throw something at an Andorran player and was shown a red card. Handbags ensued and in the chaos the referee dished out red to Victor Rodriguez, too. That’s four players sent off in two games in five minutes.
More red cards! (Besic, Bosnia and Rodriguez, Andorra, 64)
What’s going on?!
I think Jan Vertonghen might have just produced the worst free-kick of Euro 2016 qualifying. He clatters the ball three, perhaps four goals higher than the crossbar.
Mitsanski had a little kick out at Italy’s goalscorer, De Rossi, who replied with a kick of his own and both are shown straight red cards. It remains Italy 1-0 Bulgaria, with both sides are down to ten men.
Red cards! (De Rossi, Italy and Mitsanski, Bulgaria, 56)
Two players sent off in Italy!
Not a huge amount happening between Iceland and Kazakhstan though I can report that Iceland are on top and have had a couple of half-chances in the second half to open the scoring. A draw would leave them level with Czech Republic on 19 points at the top of Group A, and would be enough to ensure qualification.
Ten of the players Belgium have used today currently play in the Premier League, the same number they used in their previous match. If they were to bring on Adnan Januzaj, for example, that would be 11 – would that be some sort of record for a team that isn’t England, I wonder? Belgium have probably done more themselves at some stage.
Belgium have started the second half with a little more pace in the play, which may or may not be linked to one Liverpool player replacing another: Origi now leads the line in place of Benteke.
Things have gone a bit Blue Peter all of a sudden:
@LawrenceOstlere More teams with more to play for, so more games have mattered = more fun. Also: here's Senad Lulic. pic.twitter.com/OAma1WwBHA
— Panini Cheapskates (@CheapPanini) September 6, 2015
Whistles blown, and we are back under way in the second half in Iceland, Bosnia, Cyprus and Italy.
Regarding Karl’s email a moment ago, we probably will have to wait until the tournament to really judge the move to increase the number of teams to qualify. I was against the move simply because it makes qualification less competitive for the bigger sides. For example, when England beat Switzerland away in their opening game, that was pretty much qualification complete, barring a series of extremely unlikely results (not that England are a really big side these days). In that sense having more nations qualifying has failed, but then again there are other groups, like Italy’s Group H, which are genuinely exciting and all the better for it. And seeing sides like Wales get there after a long time away is always heartwarming.
Half-time scores
Group A: Iceland 0-0 Kazakhstan
Group B: Bosnia & Herzegovina 3-0 Andorra
Group B: Cyprus 0-0 Belgium
Group H: Italy 1-0 Bulgaria
To clarify, if Belgium fail to win in Cyprus (entirely plausible given that first half), Wales will qualify for Euro 2016.
GOAL! Bosnia & Herzegovina 3-0 Andorra (Lulic, 45)
Lulic adds a dab of gloss to the half-time score in Group B after Andorra fail to clear a crossed free-kick.
Updated
A bit of a lull in the action all round, as we approach half-time. Perhaps this can be our half-time talking point:
“Hi, Lawrence!” emails a cheery Karl Ruben Weseth from Oslo who has just been watching Norway beat Croatia in the flesh (rather than staying in and reading a clockwatch? Weird). Anyway, Karl continues: “I guess we’ll have to wait until the tournament itself to really pass judgment on UEFA’s decision to increase the number of teams. Still, just on the basis of what (aside from England’s group) must be one of the most entertaining qualifiers in my 34-year old lifetime, it’s hard to view it as anything other than a success. The decision was widely panned in the press when it was first made; do you feel like the opinion of your colleagues has changed over the course of the qualifiers? (I just got back home from the stadium. It was all right, I guess).”
This is how to use Benteke: he receives a pass with his back to goal and flicks De Bruyne in behind the Cyprus defence, who really should finish but shoots straight at the goalkeeper’s legs.
Nick White emails: “Why can Asian teams qualify for the Euros? This feels like an elementary question, but sense it does not make.” Football seems pretty chilled about continental boundaries, Nick. Australia just play where they want.
Updated
Penalty to Cyprus... no it’s not! Vertonghen brought down his man in the box but the assistant had his flag up and that is a huge let off for Belgium. Vertonghen walks away muttering to himself.
GOAL! Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-0 Andorra (Dzeko, 30)
Edin Dzeko has the second of the night for Bosnia. The Roma forward reacts quickest to a blocked shot and slams home. Not the best show of defending, that.
Updated
Latest scores
Group A: Iceland 0-0 Kazakhstan
Group B: Bosnia & Herzegovina 1-0 Andorra
Group B: Cyprus 0-0 Belgium
Group H: Italy 1-0 Bulgaria
Neat football from Cyprus, pass, pass, pass, pass... pass off the pitch. Not this time then, but a promising start against the Premier League’s Belgium.
Kazakhstan make a promising break forwards, Nuserbayev getting hold of a cut-back but he doesn’t connect fully with his shot and the ball rolls rather tamely for the Iceland goalkeeper (scans notes, scans notes)... Halldorsson.
Some lovely buildup play from Belgium, De Bruyne and Nainggolan exchanging passes before the latter shoots from 20 yards but it’s a relatively simple save low down for Georgallides to make. A minute later De Bruyne takes aim from similar range, but his shot whistles past the post with the goalkeeper stranded and rustles the side netting.
GOAL! Bosnia & Herzegovina 1-0 Andorra (Bicakcic, 14)
Bicakcic opens the scoring and it might be a long night now for Andorra.
GOAL! Italy 1-0 Bulgaria (De Rossi pen, 6)
Italy make the breakthrough from the spot – at the second attempt. Candreva was fouled in the box and De Rossi buried the first penalty, but was made to retake from the spot after the referee spotted some heavy encroachment. The second spot-kick brought the same result and the Italians lead.
“Given the sometimes surprising results in PL,” emails Mats Anderson, “and for example the Dutch trailing in their group ...... are we reasonably sure Belgium, Iceland (?!?!), Italy and Bosnia will stroll to victories now?” We are not, and that is why we watch, and watch, and watch.
Updated
It’s a bit of a messy start by Belgium with some wayward passing. Eventually they work the ball wide down the right through De Bruyne, but Benteke’s finish sails over.
Edin Dzeko gets his head on a cross but can’t control it, and the Bosnian’s attempt drifts harmlessly wide. There should be plenty more chances for him tonight against Andorra.
El Shaarawy should have put Italy ahead immediately! He has a sight of goal just a few yards out but shoots over the bar.
Updated
Peep! It’s kick-off time and we are back in business in Euro 2016 qualifying, with four games to keep an eye on:
Group A: Iceland v Kazakhstan
Group B: Bosnia & Herzegovina v Andorra
Group B: Cyprus v Belgium
Group H: Italy v Bulgaria
You raise an interesting point about Benteke. I’m not convinced Belgium do know how to use him – I think he’s only scored once in this campaign and that was against Cyprus. He was playing well for Liverpool until having a bit of a non-game against West Ham where he barely touched the ball and just looked suspiciously useless in Rodgers’ team. It will be interesting to see how he gets on tonight.
Giovani Pisoni emails: “Hi Lawrence, we (Italy) really need to beat Bulgaria tonight after Norway’s win against Croatia, so here’s a stat that’s definitely not going to be a jinx: you know when’s the last time we lost a WC/Euro qualifier? September 6th 2006! Nine years to the day, the second game of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. And, Euro 2012 aside, we were absolute pants in all of those tournaments. Go figure.”
“Evening Lawrence,” emails Ian Copesake. “Is an entitled cooling break one in which an employee takes time out to recover from the effects of feeling inherently deserving? Am going to do Brendon Rodgers’ job for him tonight and study how Belgium actually make use of Benteke.”
It is me swanning round the office with an ice pack slung round my neck telling everyone I knew Turkey were going to win 3-0.
It’s above 20 degrees at Guardian Towers so I’m going to use my entitled cooling break. Back shortly for the second batch of games.
Italy v Bulgaria line-ups
Italy: Buffon, De Sciglio, Chiellini, Darmian, Bonucci, Verratti, De Rossi, Parolo, Candreva, El Shaarawy, Pelle
Bulgaria: Mitrev, Veselin Minev, Aleksandar Aleksandrov, Bodurov, Iordan Minev, Dyakov, Chochev, Nedelev, Popov, Milanov, Mitsanski
Cyprus v Belgium line-ups
Cyprus: Georgallides, Demetriou, Laifis, Junior, Antoniades, Charalambidis, Makridis, Nicolaou, Economides, Makris, Mitidis
Premier League All-Stars Belgium: Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Vermaelen, Vertonghen, De Bruyne, Fellaini, Witsel, Nainggolan, Hazard, Benteke
Updated
Iceland v Kazakhstan line-ups
Iceland: Halldorsson, Saevarsson, R Sigurdsson, Arnason, Skulason, Gudmundsson, Bjarnason, G Sigurdsson, Gunnarsson, Sigthorsson, Bodvarsson
Kazakhstan: Pokatilov, Maliy, Gurman, Suyumbayev, Logvinenko, Kuat, Smakov, Islamkhan, Konysbaev, Nuserbayev, Dzolchiev
Bosnia & Herzegovina v Andorra line-ups
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Begovic, Bicakcic, Spahic, Kolasinac, Sunjic, Zec, Besic, Pjanic, Lulic, Ibisevic, Dzeko
Andorra: Pol, Martinez, San Nicolas, Sonejee, Lima, Vieira, Rebes, Ayala, Rodriguez Soria, Riera, M Garcia
There are jubilant scenes in Latvia, where Czech Republic have ensured their place in France for Euro 2016 next summer. Petr Cech and company missed out on the 2014 World Cup but sit atop Group A, for now at least, and have done the job with two games to spare.
Still to come tonight from 7.45pm BST (line-ups coming shortly):
Group A: Iceland v Kazakhstan
Group B: Bosnia & Herzegovina v Andorra
Group B: Cyprus v Belgium
Group H: Italy v Bulgaria
Here are the Euro 2016 qualifying standings after those results.
Euro 2016 qualifying results
Latvia 1-2 Czech Republic
Turkey 3-0 Holland
Malta 2-2 Azerbaijan
Norway 2-0 Croatia
Wales 0-0 Israel
Full-time: Wales 0-0 Israel
You can get the details on the stalemate in Cardiff with Niall McVeigh here:
Full-time: Turkey 3-0 Holland
Holland have been thoroughly beaten in Turkey. The Dutch can still qualify, but they will need Turkey to slip up just to reach the play-offs.
Full-time: Malta 2-2 Azerbaijan
Heartbreak for Malta who had a rare win taken away in the final ten minutes.
Full-time: Latvia 1-2 Czech Republic
Despite a late scare, Czech Republic hold on for an away win in Group B which sends them to Euro 2016!
Drama in Cardiff! Read about it here:
Full-time: Norway 2-0 Croatia
Norway climb above Croatia to the top of Group H, with Italy still to play tonight.
Here is how the top of Group A is going to look if Czech Republic hold on to beat Latvia, assuming Holland don’t pull off the miracle of all miracles in Turkey with five minutes to play:
Czech Republic P8 19pts
Iceland P7 18pts
Turkey P8 12pts
Holland P8 10pts
Two more rounds of matches remain. Remember, only the top two qualify automatically, and the third placed team is likely to need a play-off.
Updated
GOAL! Turkey 3-0 Holland (Yilmaz, 85)
It gets worse for Holland – Burak Yilmaz receives a pull-back from the byline around the penalty spot, spins gracefully and shoots on the half-turn to beat Cillessen. The stadium erupts as Holland’s campaign crumbles.
GOAL! Malta 2-2 Azerbaijan (Amirguliyev, 80)
The goals keep coming in the Ta’ Qali National Stadium, but this one might just have denied Malta that rare win they were threatening.
Around ten minutes to go in the five games. Here are the latest scores:
Latvia 1-2 Czech Republic
Turkey 2-0 Holland
Malta 2-1 Azerbaijan
Norway 2-0 Croatia
Wales 0-0 Israel
GOAL! Latvia 1-2 Czech Republic (Zjuzins, 73)
Petr Cech is finally beaten, with Zjuzins’ well-hit shot taking a slight deflection on its way past the Arsenal goalkeeper. A lifeline for Holland?
Updated
GOAL! Malta 2-1 Azerbaijan (Effiong, 71)
And just like that Malta have turned the game on its head! Alfred Effiong pounces upon some woeful defending to smash the ball into same top corner that Mifsud found. It’s another fine finish – after losing nine on the spin, Malta are in danger of actually winning a game here.
I’ve just watched Michael Mifsud’s goal again and it is a lovely finish, well worth seeing. Here’s Il Messi Di Malta at the height of his Coventry City fame:
GOAL! Norway 2-0 Croatia (Berget, 69)
Norway are heading to the top of Group H and it’s that man again, Jo Inge Berget, who beats Subasic at his near post again, although this one does take a small deflection.
Petr Cech has made several important saves tonight, the latest of which, from Tarasovs’ header, was point-blank and down at his feet. If scores stay as they are then Czech Republic will qualify for Euro 2016.
Niko Kovac turns to the experience of Ivica Olic, bringing the 35-year-old on with around 25 minutes to go.
Latest scores
Latvia 0-2 Czech Republic
Turkey 2-0 Holland
Malta 1-1 Azerbaijan
Norway 1-0 Croatia
Wales 0-0 Israel
GOAL! Malta 1-1 Azerbaijan (Mifsud 55)
Former Coventry City pocket rocket Michael Mifsud collects the ball on the edge of the box and thumps, well, a rocket into the top corner. Goal of the night, thus far.
Newcastle United’s Georginio Wijnaldum has come off the bench and should have pulled Holland back into the game, getting on the end of a delicious Memphis cross but heading wide from close range.
Looking at the replay, that was a stunning bit of a skill from Berget, rolling his foot over the ball to beat the defender before cracking the ball inside the near post. A win would see Norway climb above Croatia to the top of Group H, at least until Italy play Bulgaria later tonight. Those three are in an incredibly tight battle for the two automatic places, a fight which may well be decided by the one-point deduction Croatia have imposed upon them by Uefa.
GOAL! Norway 1-0 Croatia (Berget, 51)
Malmo forward Jo Inge Berget scores for Norway to break the deadlock in Olso. He spins away from Dario Srna with a lovely bit of skill in the box and beats Subasic.
Updated
As things stand in Group A, Czech Republic will qualify for Euro 2016 tonight. That’s because Holland are losing in Turkey, which would leave the Dutch scrabbling for third and a play-off spot. Here is the would-be top four if scores stay the same:
Czech Republic P8 19pts
Iceland P7 18pts
Turkey P8 12pts
Holland P8 10pts
Peep! We are back under way in all five Euro 2016 qualifying games.
Half-time talking point:
@LawrenceOstlere IF Wales qualify, could they "do a Greece"? Teamwork, organisation, good defence, lack of ego, little bit of class?
— huwneill (@huwneill) September 6, 2015
I think you could make a plausible case for there being a surprise Euro 2016 winner seeing as Germany and Spain have lost the odd game and have not looked at their imperious bests. Then again, England are top of their group with seven wins from seven and they’re not going to win it, so let’s not read too much into qualifying. Regarding a little bit of quality in the team, in Gareth Bale Wales certainly have a dollop more of that than Greece ever did. In short, incredibly unlikely but not impossible.
Updated
Half-time scores
Latvia 0-2 Czech Republic
Turkey 2-0 Holland
Malta 0-1 Azerbaijan
Norway 0-0 Croatia
Wales 0-0 Israel
In Olso, Nyland makes a good reaction save from Mandzukic’s glancing header moments before half-time. Still goalless there between Norway and Croatia.
Latest scores
Latvia 0-2 Czech Republic
Turkey 2-0 Holland
Malta 0-1 Azerbaijan
Norway 0-0 Croatia
Wales 0-0 Israel
Emails on Holland’s utter porridge of a performance:
Chris Nemeh: “Turkey’s second was such a weak goal to concede. Cillessen is not a good goalkeeper.” Or, as JR in Illinois puts it: “Netherlands are a rank shower. It’s quite a spectacle.”
GOAL! Malta 0-1 Azerbaijan (Amirguliyev, 36)
Malta’s resistance is broken by Rahid Amirguliyev at the foot of Group H. It’s a decent finish too, cracking one from outside the box via a little deflection into the bottom corner.
Milan Skoda did actually set up the Czech Republic’s first goal but I kept it professional and avoided a car-related pun. However, Trevor Marshall emails: “Re the Czech striker – car maker Škoda’s upturn in quality in recent years rather spoils the pleasure, but ‘to je Škoda’ in Czech means both ‘It’s a Skoda’ and also ‘That’s a shame’.”
GOAL! Turkey 2-0 Holland (Arda, 26)
Wow. The Turkey captain and Barcelona season-ticket holder gets hold of the ball on the left and sneaks a shot under Cillessen. Perhaps that should have been kept out, but it doesn’t matter now. Disaster for Holland!
Updated
Drinks! They are having a cooling break in Malta.
John Tumbridge emails: “You could always use this if one of the Muscats scores it’s close enough”:
GOAL! Latvia 0-2 Czech Republic (Darida, 25)
Hertha Berlin midfielder Vladimir Darida strikes and this one might be as good as over, seeing as Latvia are yet to win a game in this campaign. Holland have plenty of work to do in Group A, now.
“Hello Lawrence,” emails Kári Tulinius. “I’m an Icelander, and I’m pretty giddy with excitement about the prospects of Iceland qualifying for a major tournament. Until this generation of players came through, the idea that the national team would play at the World Cup or Euros was comedic fodder. Now it’s almost a formality. The part of my brain that’s been trained to abandon all hope still half expects the team to somehow mess it up, but this time it’s my rational mind that’s hopeful.”
Van Persie attempts a cheeky backheel from close range but Babacan makes the save in the Turkey goal.
Latest scores
Latvia 0-1 Czech Republic
Turkey 1-0 Holland
Malta 0-0 Azerbaijan
Norway 0-0 Croatia
Wales 0-0 Israel
GOAL! Latvia 0-1 Czech Republic (Limbersky, 13)
And things have just got worse for Holland! David Limbersky cuts in from the left and finishes from a narrow angle to put automatic qualification out of Holland’s reach as things stand.
The stadium in Konya went bonkers when the net rippled and why not: Turkey climb above Holland to third in Group A if scores were to stay the same.
GOAL! Turkey 1-0 Holland (Oguzhan, 8)
Oh dear, Holland. Turkey counterattack and pass right through the middle of the Dutch defence finds Oguzhan Ozyakup who takes the ball in his stride and chips the onrushing Cillessen with plenty of cheek. Wonderful finish.
Updated
Peeep! Five Euro 2016 qualifying matches are under way:
Group A: Latvia 0-0 Czech Republic
Group A: Turkey 0-0 Holland
Group B: Wales 0-0 Israel
Group H: Malta 0-0 Azerbaijan
Group H: Norway 0-0 Croatia
Coins are being tossed, hands shaken, possibly those small national football association flags exchanged. Football is coming.
If you’d like some genuine minute-by-minute action, you can follow Wales v Israel live with Niall McVeigh here.
I know we all get Malta’s duo of Muscats muddled up, so I’ve put their first initials in there to clear things up. Should they both score, which experts tell me is against the laws of physics as we know them, I have ‘The Two Muscateers’ primed and ready to use.
Is anyone out there? And are you excited? Well we all should be: it’s Holland with old classics like Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie and sleek new ones like Memphis Depay and the unfathomably blonde Davy Klaassen! Croatia, with Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric in tandem! And Czech Republic, with a striker called Skoda! (He scored a couple against Kazakhstan so my driving puns are at the ready). Get in touch with your thoughts on tonight’s games, or just life in general.
Updated
Malta v Azerbaijan line-ups
Malta: Hogg, A Muscat, Agius, Camilleri, Borg, Failla, Schembri, Briffa, R Muscat, Mifsud, Effiong
Azerbaijan: Mirzabekov, Huseynov, Garayev, Sadygov, Dashdemirov, Ismayilov, Nazarov, Amirguliyev, Taghiyev, Gurbanov
Turkey v Holland line-ups
Turkey: Babacan, Sener, Aziz, Balta, Erkin, Inan, Ozan, Calhanoglu, Oguzhan, Turan, Yilmaz
Holland: Cillessen, Van der Wiel, De Vrij, Bruma, Riedewald, Klaassen, Sneijder, Blind, Narsingh, Van Persie, Depay
Latvia v Czech Republic line-ups
Latvia: Vanins, Maksimenko, Dubrax Karašausks, Gorks, Kames, Rakels, Tarasovs, Zjuzins, Fertov, Freimanis
Czech Republic: Cech, Kaderabek, Suchy, Prochazka, Limbersky, Dockal, Darida, Pavelka, Sural, Kolar, Skoda
Wales v Israel line-ups
Wales: Hennessey, Gunter, A Williams, Davies, Richards, King, Edwards, Taylor, Ramsey, Bale; Robson-Kanu
Israel: Marciano, Dasa, Ben Haim, Tibi, Ben Harush, Dgani, Bitton, Natcho, Kayal, Zahavi, Dabbur
Norway v Croatia line-ups
Norway: Nyland, Elabdellaoui, Hovland, Forren, Hogli, Skjelbred, Johansen, Tettey, Berget, Henriksen, Soderlund.
Croatia: Subasic, Srna, Corluka, Vida, Vrsaljko, Modric, Brozovic, Perisic, Rakitic, Pjaca, Mandzukic.
Updated
Preamble
Iceland’s qualification from Group A is barely more than a formality, needing just a point against the group’s punchbag, Kazakhstan, later on Sunday to reach Euro 2016 after Gylfi Sigurdsson sealed a shock win in Amsterdam on Thursday night.
That leaves Holland in a pickle: six points shy of Czech Republic with three games remaining means the second automatic qualification spot is almost out of reach, and the Czechs have the chance to all but seal it against Latvia tonight, who are yet to win a game in the campaign. But defeat to Turkey here would put Holland’s chances of claiming even third – and a play-off spot – in major doubt. This is a very significant night for Dutch football.
Group H is also in action and it’s a little less straightforward. Croatia are appealing the one-point deduction sanctioned by Uefa after a swastika was imprinted on the pitch in their match against Italy in June. Let us assume the punishment is upheld: that would leave Italy technically top on 15 points, Croatia second with 14, and Norway third on 13.
This evening’s visit to Oslo will go a long way to deciding just how detrimental that deducted point is to Croatia’s Euro 2016 hopes, should it not be overturned. Group-strugglers Azerbaijan take on group-flounderers Malta at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium, before Italy play mid-table Bulgaria later on tonight.
In Group B, Wales take on Israel and can secure their first qualification to a major tournament since 1958 with a point (follow that one minute-by-minute live on the site). Bosnia & Herzegovina should beat Andorra while Cyprus, currently fourth, could do with a result against Belgium to keep their hopes of a first major championship alive. Here is your cast:
5pm BST kick-offs:
Group A: Latvia v Czech Republic
Group A: Turkey v Holland
Group B: Wales v Israel
Group H: Malta v Azerbaijan
Group H: Norway v Croatia
7.45pm BST kick-offs:
Group A: Iceland v Kazakhstan
Group B: Bosnia & Herzegovina v Andorra
Group B: Cyprus v Belgium
Group H: Italy v Bulgaria
Updated
