🌎 WCQ: Netherlands qualify for Qatar; Wales seal seeding as Mbappé shines | OneFootball

The group phase of European qualification for the World Cup in 2022 concluded on Tuesday night.

This is what went down.

Netherlands back at the World Cup

Scorers: Bergwijn 84′, Memphis 90+1

The Netherlands booked their place at the World Cup after missing out on the last edition as two late goals fired them back to the big time.

After a nervy contest for much of things, they struck for the winner with six minutes remaining after a slack Norway attempt to play out from the back was punished when Steven Bergwijn was fed on the right to blast the ball high into the roof of the net.

Memphis then made sure of things in injury time with the goal that ensured Louis van Gaal’s would not be denied top spot, which had been up in the air even just 15 minutes before.

As a result of Turkey’s comeback win in Montenegro, they have claimed the play-off spot, with Norway finishing in third.

Mbappé breaks Finnish hearts

Scorers: Benzema 66′, Mbappé 76′

Holders France finished their qualification campaign with a flourish as the holders eliminated Finland from contention with victory away from home.

After a tense affair for over an hour, France struck on 66 minutes following a fine team move which culminated with Kylian Mbappé flicking into Karim Benzema’s path in the area and the striker fired home with the help of a deflection.

The provider of that goal then got in on the act himself and saw the holders end things in style when Mbappé left his marker for dead on the left before shifting inside and curling a glorious strike into the far corner.

Finland miss out on a play-off place by a point, having been leapfrogged by Ukraine as a result of their win in Bosnia.

Wales hold Belgium to claim Cardiff semi

Scorers: Moore 32′; De Bruyne 12′

Wales secured a vital play-off seeding berth for next March as they battled to a deserved draw with Belgium in Cardiff.

With the home crowd on his back in the early going, it was typical that Kevin De Bruyne would be the man to silence them after 12 minutes with a classy curling finish from the edge of the area after Axel Witsel’s attempt was blocked.

But Wales levelled shortly after the half hour mark when a Daniel James cross evaded everyone and found Kiefer Moore in the area to take a touch and finish.

Despite Czech Republic’s 2-0 win over Estonia, they failed to overtake Robert Page’s men as a result of Moore’s vital equaliser.

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