Kevin De Bruyne inspired Belgium to a 4-0 win over Scotland with 3 assists & a sublime goal eight minutes from time. And with that, the number one ranked team in the world continued their 100% record in qualifying with 18 points from 6 matches. Scotland’s joint heaviest home defeat means their slender hopes of qualifying from the group are virtually over, although they could still reach the tournament via the Nations League playoffs, with a semi-final place already secured.
Belgium, who finished third at last year’s World Cup, are now 11 points clear of third-placed Kazakhstan at the summit of their group with the top two automatically qualifying and only four games to play. Russia remains in pole position to progress from Group I with Belgium after Mario Fernandes’ 89th-minute winner sealed a 1-0 win over Kazakhstan which moved Stanislav Cherchesov’s men eight points ahead of their beaten opponents.
The Netherlands followed up on their stunning win against Germany last week by defeating Estonia powered by a Ryan Babel brace. Memphis Depay & Georgia Wijnaldum scored the other two goals. Ronald Koeman’s side trail second-placed Northern Ireland by three points in Group C with a game in hand whom they next host on October 10.
Germany still leads the group after a 2-0 win in Belfast. The win put them on 12 points from five games, ahead on goal difference of second-placed Northern Ireland. Marcel Halstenberg & Serge Gnabry scored crucial goals which gave Joachim Loew’s side some breathing space. The boss said after the game, “After the defeat against Holland, we were under pressure today and had to overcome some difficulties”
