France survived a scare in the World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg to maintain their march towards Russia.
ADVERTISEMENTIn Saturday’s World Cup qualifiers for Russia 2018, France huffed and puffed but eventually saw off Luxembourg to maintain their grip on Group A. Olivier Giroud scored twice and Antoine Griezmann also found the net. Aurelien Joachim scored from the spot for the hosts.
Elsewhere, Emil Forsberg got a brace as Sweden eased pased Belarus to stay in the hunt for top spot.
And two goals from Spas Delev saw the Dutch go down in Bulgaria, further denting their hopes of making the playoffs.
Switzerland stay firmly in the driving seat of Group B after Josip Drnic’s strike was enough to defeat Latvia.
European champions Portugal remain three points behind after making light work of Hungary. Cristiano Ronaldo with a double after Andre Silva put the home side ahead.
Have Portugal finally found a reliable goalscorer other than Ronaldo?
André Silva for the senior Portugal national side:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 25, 2017
6 caps
5 goals
Not a bad return for the 21-year-old. pic.twitter.com/lHFI8zZOxR
And it’s now a bit tighter at the top of Group H after Belgium had to come from behind to draw against Greece to maintain their unbeaten record.
Romulu Lukaku equalising in the 89th minute after Kostas Mitroglou’s early strike.
Romelu Lukaku has scored 28 goals in his last 31 games for club & country.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 25, 2017
Belgium’s hero. pic.twitter.com/XaL5nsXX5a
Greece played the final 25 minutes with 10 men and finished with nine. Panagiotis Tachtsidis received a second yellow in the 65th minute while Giorgos Tzavellas was also sent off for a second yellow after a scuffle erupted deep into injury time.
There were no goals in the match between Cyprus and Estonia while Bosnia-Herzegovina hammered Gibraltar 5-0.