Calhanoglu penalty, Turkey beats Bulgaria. Qualification postponed for Belgium, held back by Kazakhstan
Spain beats Georgia and wins its fifth game out of five in the group. De la Fuente’s team crushes its opponents 4-0 and is virtually through to the World Cup. The Red Fury climbs to 15 points, +3 over Turkey. Montella’s men need only a penalty kick by the usual Calhanoglu and an own goal by Chernev to beat Bulgaria. The next round will see a direct clash, but Oyarzabal and his teammates have a huge advantage in goal difference (+19 vs. +4). In Group H, Arnautovic’s brace leads Austria to victory over Cyprus and brings Rangnick’s team closer to a historic qualification that has eluded them for 27 years. However, Bosnia prevails against Romania, with Dzeko also scoring. The head-to-head match on the last day will be decisive.
In Group J, Wales (already certain of a playoff spot) beat Liechtenstein. Belgium stumbles against Kazakhstan and postpones qualification. Sensational news in Group C. Denmark is beaten by already-eliminated Belarus: it ends 2-2. Lazio striker Isaksen scores the equalizer in the 79th minute. Scotland, meanwhile, came close to a comeback against Greece. Jovanovic’s men took a 3-0 lead, Doak and Christie tried to close the gap but ended up losing 3-2. Everything will be decided in the last round, while the Danes extend their lead to +1 in the standings. In Group B, Switzerland did not slip up against Potter’s Sweden in his debut on the bench. Riemer’s team is very close to qualifying for the World Cup. Kosovo beat Slovenia and remain three points off the top with an inferior goal difference.
Results— Today’s results and scorers: Kazakhstan-Belgium 1-1; scorers: 9′ Satpaev (K), 48′ Vanaken (B). Red cards: 79′ Chesnokov (K)
Cyprus-Austria 0-2; scorers: pen. 18′ and 56′ Arnautovic
Georgia-Spain 0-4; scorers: 11′ pen. and 63′ Oyarzabal, 22′ Zubimendi, 34′ Torres
Liechtenstein-Wales 0-1; scorers: 62′ James
Turkey-Bulgaria 2-0; scorers: 18′ Calhanoglu, 83′ own goal Chernev
Bosnia-Romania 3-1; scorers: 17′ Birligea (R), 48′ Dzeko (B), 79′ Bajraktarevic (B), Tabakovic (B). Red cards: 68′ Dragus (R)
Denmark-Belarus 2-2; scorers: 11′ Damsgaard (D), 62′ Gromyko (B), 65′ Demchenko (B), 79′ Isaksen (D)
Greece-Scotland 3-2; scorers: 7′ Bakasetas (G), 57′ Karetsas (G), 63′ Tzolis (G), 65′ Doak (S), 70′ Christie (S). Red cards: 84′ Bakasetas (G)
Slovenia-Kosovo 0-2; scorers: 6′ Asllani, 63′ own goal Karnicnik. Red cards: 53′ Stojanovic (S)
Switzerland-Sweden 4-1; scorers: 12′ Embolo (Swi), 33′ Nygren (Swe), 60′ pen. Xhaka (Swi), 75′ Ndoye (Swi), 94′ Manzambi (Swi)
