Poland and Russia third and fourth to qualify

Poland and Russia qualified for the European Championships yesterday, joining Belgium and Italy as confirmed finalists for next year’s 32-team tournament.

Gareth Bale’s goal forced Croatia to wait after a 1-1 draw with Wales, while Germany beat Estonia 3-0 despite playing with 10 men from the 14th minute.

Robert Lewandowski set up both goals for Poland as Przemyslaw Frankowski and fellow substitute Arkadiusz Milik scored late in a hardfought 2-0 win over North Macedonia.

Poland are assured of finishing in the top two of Group G, where second-placed Austria boosted their hopes of qualifying with a 1-0 win in Slovenia.

Russia earlier routed Cyprus 5-0 to join group winners Belgium in securing a place at next year’s tournament. Valencia forward Denis Cheryshev scored twice and set up two more goals for the Russians — who needed only a draw to be sure of qualification — to take their tally to 21 points after seven wins from eight games in Group I.

With two matches remaining, Russia have 11 points more than thirdplaced Cyprus and 12 more than fourth-placed Scotland, who thrashed San Marino 6-0 at a poorly attended Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Belgium had already secured their place at the finals but Roberto Mart´ınez’s team stayed perfect in qualifying with a 2-0 win over Kazakhstan in Astana.

Michy Batshuayi scored in the first half and Thomas Meunier wrapped up the win in the second, giving Belgium their eighth win from eight games. The Belgians have scored 30 goals and conceded just one.

Nikola Vlasic scored early to put Croatia on course for a win that would have secured qualification. Bale’s equaliser in first-half injury time denied the visitors — including Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric — and kept alive Welsh hopes of qualifying.

Croatia lead Group E by two points from Hungary, who defeated Azerbaijan 1-0 in Budapest thanks to Mihaly Korhut’s early strike.

Ilkay Gundogan scored twice and set up another for 10-man Germany to beat Estonia with three second-half goals in Tallinn.

Emre Can, filling in at centre back, was shown an early red card for bringing down Frank Liivak, who would have been through on goal. Germany had never before had a player sent off so early.