Denmark, Iceland and Wales all went top of their respective France 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying groups, while Switzerland made it six wins from six.
GROUP 1 – Wales win sets up showdown with Lionesses
Wales set up a showdown with England on 31 August after sending Russia to a 3-0 defeat. Kayleigh Green scored twice and Natasha Harding got the other second-half goal to put Jayne Ludlow’s side top once more.
Kazakhstan got off the mark with a 2-0 victory away to Bosnia & Herzegovina. An own-goal from Amira Spahić was added to by Yekaterina Babshuk.
GROUP 2 – Six in a row for Swiss
Switzerland made it six straight wins with a 5-0 result in Belarus. Ana-Maria Crnogorčević’s early penalty was followed by a a double from Lara Dickenmann, a Viola Calligaris effort and an own-goal by Valeria Karachun.
Scotland confirmed a top-two finish after a great comeback in Poland, where they won 3-2 after having been two goals behind. Dżesika Jaszek’s opener was added to as Howard put through her own net but a remarkable last dozen minutes saw replies from Kim Little, Jane Ross and Lisa Evans.
GROUP 3 – Lieke leaves it late
Leaders Netherlands are on course for a group decider with Norway in September but needed a 92nd-minute Lieke Martens goal to see off basement side Slovakia.
Norway ended Republic of Ireland’s hopes by the same scoreline, Caroline Graham Hansen converting a 25th-minute penalty.
GROUP 4 – Denmark take advantage of Sweden loss
Sweden’s run of five wins was ended in Ukraine, where they went down to Daryna Apanaschenko’s 41st-minute goal.
Denmark fought back to hit Hungary 5-1 after Zsanett Jakabfi had scored for the visitors, the Danes’ victory putting them top on goal-difference. Nadia Nadim hit a quickfire brace just before the break and Simone Boye Sørensen made it 3-1 shortly after the restart. Theresa Nielsen and Pernille Harder later extended the lead further.
GROUP 5 – First for Faroes
Faroe Islands got their first goal in a 4-1 defeat away to Czech Republic. Kateřina Svitková, Lucie Martínková, Lucie Voňková and Antonie Stárová got one apiece before Milja Simonsen’s late consolation.
GROUP 6 – Belgium runners-up
Belgium were virtually certain of the runners-up spot after a 7-0 win in Moldova on Sunday. They only broke the deadlock on half time though, with Janice Cayman later doubling her tally. There was a goal each for Aline Zeler, substitute Julie Biesmans, Chloe Velde, plus a Tessa Wullaert penalty and own-goal by Nadejda Colesnicenco.
The Red Flames’ position was confirmed when Romania held Portugal 1-1. Isabelle Mihail had the hosts in front but Andreia Norton soon levelled.
GROUP 7 – Austria go second
Austria went second when running out 6-0 winners in Israel. Katharina Schiechtl and Carina Wenninger scored in the first half, after which Nicole Billa got the third, Sarah Puntigam put away a penalty, with Verena Aschauer and Laura Feiersinger also getting on the scoresheet.
GROUP 8 – Iceland take back top spot from Germany
Iceland are a point ahead of Germany with two games left each, after they defeated Slovenia 2-0 on Monday. Glódís Viggósdóttir got both goals in a 14-minute second-half spell.
The full list of qualifiers will be confirmed after the last games on 4 September. In addition, the four runners-up with the best record against the sides first, third and fourth in their groups will go into the play-offs for the remaining UEFA berths in France.
Looking forward to the crunch game with Switzerland for Scotland . Hope the tartan army comes out in force.