While England were securing their place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final in France next summer, there were also some important wins for Czech Republic and Norway on Friday night.
Group 5 – Czech Republic gain ground on top two
Czech Republic kept up their slim hopes of qualifying with a 2-0 victory over Slovenia.
Kateřina Svitková netted a dozen minutes in and captain Petra Divišová increased the advantage shortly after the hour mark.
The leading pair clash on Saturday, with hosts Iceland a point ahead of Germany with two games to go each and Czech Republic hoping the game is not drawn.
Group 3 – Utland treble cuts Dutch lead
Norway moved within a point of leaders Netherlands after a 4-0 success in Slovakia.
The Norwegians scored three times in the first half and Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland completed her hat-trick after the break, Guro Reiten with their other goal.
The top two clash on Tuesday and if the Dutch avoid defeat in Oslo they progress, whilst Norway need the win to do so.
Group 7 – Five-star Spain
Finland are 3 points short of second-placed Austria with a game to go each after going down 5-1 at group winners Spain.
Marta Corredera struck twice in the first 45, Jennier Hermoso also on target for the hosts, with Linda Sällström having earlier equalised.
Nahkari Garcia came off the bench to get the fourth goal for Spain, goalkeeper Minna Meriluoto then conceding a late own-goal.
The Finns can still pip Austria to second if they win by two or more goals (other than 2-0) on Tuesday.
Group 6 – Super-sub makes difference for Belgium
Group runners-up Belgium got the only goal of the game in Romania but it took a super-sub’s intervention.
Ella van Kerkhoven entered the field with 8 minutes left and had the ball in the net 2 minutes later.
The Red Flames still need to defeat an already qualified Italy to keep any realistic play-off hopes alive.
Group 2 – Pajor brace helps Poland finish third
Poland made sure of third spot with a 4-1 win in Belarus, thereby consigning their hosts to last place.
Although the Poles opened the scoring a minute before the break through Agnieszka Wincze and Ewa Pajor doubled the lead soon after the interval, Belarus soon pulled a goal back with an effort by Anastasia Shlapakova.
However, Ewelina Kamczyk took little time to restore the two-goal cushion and Pajor got her second goal late on.
