Portugal, France book World Cup tickets

GENEVA Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are going to the World Cup and not by the risky playoff route this time.

France also sealed its ticket to Russia on Tuesday after, like Portugal, needing a second chance in the playoffs to reach the 2010 and 2014 tournaments.

After runner-up and third-place finishes at those World Cups, the Netherlands will miss out in 2018 after finishing third in France's Group A, despite beating Sweden 2-0.

Portugal beat Switzerland 2-0 in a qualifying duel in Lisbon, to extend its winning streak to nine games and end a perfect Swiss record in Group B.

The European champion already had a superior goal difference and needed a win by any score to top the group.

France also was assured to advance with three points, and beat visiting Belarus 21.

Belgium had already qualified and completed an unbeaten Group H program beating Cyprus 4-0. The Belgians will be in the top-seeded pot for the Dec. 1 draw in Moscow.

Here's a look at the final round of European qualifying group games:

Group A

France will take one of the most talentpacked squads to Russia.

Group B

Cristiano Ronaldo was absent - still recovering from his injury in the Euro 2016 final when Portugal lost its opening match in qualifying, 2-0 in Switzerland.

Group H

Belgium won the group last month, as the first European team to qualify, and finished in style in Brussels against Cyprus.

Third-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina was the only away team to win in Europe on Tuesday, beating Estonia 2-1.