Belgium locks up spot in World Cup

Romelu Lukaku’s late goal Sunday gave Belgium a 2-1 win over Greece and a place at next year’s World Cup.

The Group H fixture was goalless until the 70th minute when Jan Vertonghen blasted the visitors into the lead with a fierce shot. Greece responded three minutes later through Zeca, but only one more minute passed before Belgium retook the lead thanks to Lukaku’s header. It was the Manchester United forward’s 10th goal of the qualifying campaign.

The victory leaves the Belgians with an unassailable eight-point lead over second-place Bosnia-Herzegovina. That makes Belgium the first European team confirmed for the World Cup besides host nation Russia.

Belgium is unbeaten in qualifying, with seven wins and a 1-1 draw at home to Greece in March.

The Belgians have scored 35 goals and conceded just three in a group where they were considered the overwhelming favourites.

Bosnia-Herzegovina is second in the group with 14 points; Greece has 13.

GROUP A

Tiny Luxembourg held France to a shocking 0-0 draw Sunday.

Didier Deschamps’ team, featuring marquee strikers including Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Alexandre Lacazette, could find no way through Luxembourg’s defensive wall on an evening of French frustration in Toulouse.

Griezmann missed a straightforward early chance as France had more than 30 shots on goal but was kept at bay by veteran goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert.

“We had clear chances but against a compact team like that you have to keep pushing,” France coach Deschamps said.

France remained in first place in the group, one point ahead of Sweden, which earlier beat Belarus 4-0. The Netherlands are third after beating Bulgaria 3-1in Amsterdam, keeping alive faint Dutch hopes of qualifying for Russia.

GROUP B

Switzerland extended its perfect record in World Cup qualifying by defeating Latvia 3-0 Sunday for its eighth straight victory, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal edged 10-man Hungary1-0 to stay close to the top of Group B.

With two games left, Switzerland has 24 points, three more than defending European champion Portugal.

An Oct. 10 showdown between Portugal and Switzerland in Lisbon will likely decide which team wins the group to automatically qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Three days earlier, Switzerland hosts Hungary and Portugal plays at Andorra.

Switzerland scored early and twice shortly after halftime to keep alive its impressive run in qualifying.

Portugal kept pace with Switzerland with its seventh straight victory since an opening 2-0 loss to the Swiss.