Turkey qualify for Euro 2020 with draw against Iceland, France also secure spot

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group H - Turkey v Iceland - Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - November 14, 2019 Turkey players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Murad Sezer

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey qualified for the Euro 2020 finals with a goalless draw in a Group H against Iceland on Thursday, with the result also ensuring France a place in the championships.

They join Belgium, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain and Ukraine as the teams who have already qualified for the tournament that will be staged across 12 European countries from 12 June to 12 July 2020.

Turkey lead Group H with 20 points although France can overtake them at the top if they beat Moldova later on Thursday. Third-placed Iceland are out of the running as they have 16 points with one qualifier remaining.

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group H - Turkey v Iceland - Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - November 14, 2019 Turkey players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Both teams struggled to make an impact with Turkey striker Burak Yilmaz failing to find a way past Iceland keeper Hannes Halldorsson.

The hosts pressed harder in the second half but Iceland's defence kept them from scoring.

Midfielder Ozan Tufan came close to scoring in the 63rd minute but his effort brushed past the crossbar.

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group H - Turkey v Iceland - Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - November 14, 2019 Iceland's Gylfi Sigurdsson shoots at goal REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Iceland also missed a chance to score in the closing stages when Hordur Magnusson's header was blocked by Turkey defender Merih Demiral on the line.

Before kickoff, Turkish fans whistled as Iceland's national anthem was played.

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group H - Turkey v Iceland - Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - November 14, 2019 Turkey coach Senol Gunes celebrates after the match REUTERS/Umit Bektas

(Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group H - Turkey v Iceland - Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - November 14, 2019 Turkey's Kaan Ayhan and Okay Yokuslu celebrate after the match REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group H - Turkey v Iceland - Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - November 14, 2019 Iceland's Kolbeinn Sigthorsson is shown a yellow card by referee Anthony Taylor REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group H - Turkey v Iceland - Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - November 14, 2019 Turkey's Burak Yilmaz in action with Iceland's Arnor Traustason REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group H - Turkey v Iceland - Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - November 14, 2019 Iceland's Arnor Traustason in action with Turkey's Mahmut Tekdemir REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group H - Turkey v Iceland - Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - November 14, 2019 Turkey players and staff celebrate after the match REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group H - Turkey v Iceland - Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - November 14, 2019 Iceland's Kari çrnason and Victor Palsson during the match REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group H - Turkey v Iceland - Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - November 14, 2019 Iceland team group REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group H - Turkey v Iceland - Turk Telekom Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - November 14, 2019 Turkey team group REUTERS/Murad Sezer