The Czech Republic remain at the top of Group A following a home draw with Latvia while Netherlands only draw at home with Turkey, Wales win big in Israel to take first in group B while Belgium thrash Cyprus and Italy avoid defeat in Bulgaria, while a big Croatia win over Norway keeps them on top of group H.
Group A
Kazakhstan 0 Iceland 3: A win that puts Iceland at a shocking second place while Kazakhstan remain winless in the qualifying tournament. An opener from EEiður Guðjohnsen and a brace from Birkir Bjarnason took care of business
Czech Republic 1 Latvia 1: A dramatic ending in Prague as Latvia stunned the league leaders with goal from Aleksejs Višņakovs, but a 90th minute equalizer from Václav Pilař kept the Czechs a the top spot of the group.
Netherlands 1 Turkey 1: The tough campaign continues for the Netherlands, needing a 91st minute goal from Wesley Sneijder to avoid a home defeat against Turkey, taking the lead through Burak Yilmaz in the first half.
Group B
Israel 0 Wales 3: Wales and especially Gareth Bale made a serious point about their intentions of finally finishing in one of the top spots of a qualifying group, opening the scoring through Aaron Ramsey late in the first half before Gareth Bale scored twice in the second, including a beautiful free kick. Israel finished with 10 men
Andorra 0 Bosnia 3: A hat trick from Edin Dzeko gives Bosnia their first win of the campaign, which means they’re back in the hunt for what now seems like the third place in the group.
Belgium 5 Cyprus 0: Marouane Fellaini with a brace followed by goals from Christian Benteke, Eden Hazard and Michy Batshuayi advanced Belgium to third in the group before their very big match in Israel this week.
Group H
Azerbaijan 2 Malta 0: In one of the more meaningless matches we’ll see over this qualifying week, goals from Javid Huseynov and Dimitrij Nazarov got the Azerbaijanis their first win of the qualifying tournament.
Croatia 5 Norway 1: A massive win for Croatia, the group leaders. Scorers: Marcelo Brozović, Ivan Perišić, Ivica Olić, Gordon Schildenfeld and Danijel Pranjić. Alexander Tettey scored for Norway.
Bulgaria 2 Italy 2: Italy continue to stumble their way towards qualification, escaping an embarrassing loss in Sofia. An own goal gave the visitors the lead in the fourth minute, but quickfire goals from Ivelin Popov and Iliyan Mitsanski gave the home side the lead in the 17th minute. Eder in the 84th minute euqlized for Italy.
