WORLD CUP 2018 QUALIFIERS
WHILE Bulgaria stayed on course for their first World Cup finals since 1998, Holland look certain of missing out on another major championships.
Spas Delev gave Bulgaria a 2-0 win over the Dutch in a Group A qualifier with his first international goals.
After the win at the Vasil Levski stadium, Petar Hubchev’s men climbed to third in the group standings with nine points from five matches, one point behind Sweden and four behind leaders France. Netherlands are fourth on seven.
Bulgaria visit Belarus on June 9 in their next game in the group while Netherlands host bottom team Luxembourg.
France recorded an unconvincing 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over a tenacious Luxembourg, who gave their illustrious opponents a scare after drawing level at Stade Josy Barthel.
Didier Deschamps fielded an array of attacking talent as France laboured to restore their outright lead in Group A after Sweden’s 4-0 thrashing of Belarus earlier on Saturday.
But it was not until the 28th minute that Olivier Giroud ended Luxembourg’s stubborn resistance with a close-range finish after the hosts had lost goalkeeper Anthony Moris to injury.
Luc Holtz’s side remained undaunted, though, and remarkably drew level after Blaise Matuidi gave away a penalty and Aurelien Joachim scored from the spot.
It did not take long for normal service to be resumed, with Antoine Griezmann also netting from 12 yards after Daniel Da Mota’s foul on Djibril Sidibe.
It was Giroud’s header that finally settled matters 13 minutes from time and Deschamps had the luxury of giving Monaco star Kylian Mbappe his international debut in the closing stages.
Sweden’s 4-0 victory against Belarus saw them go top of World Cup qualifying Group A, for a few hours at least.
Emil Forsberg (pictured) scored twice, the first from the penalty spot, before goals from Marcus Berg and Isaac Kiese Thelin completed a comfortable win at the Friends Arena and moved Sweden level on 10 points with France, but with a better goal difference, ahead of Les Bleus trip to bottom side Luxembourg.
Bosnia-Herzegovina were 5-0 winners at home to minnows Gibraltar. A Vedad Ibisevic double and further strikes from Avdija Vrsajevic, Edin Visca and Ermin Bicakcic took the hosts up to second place in Group H above Greece, who play leaders Belgium later. The other game in the group saw Cyprus and Estonia share a goalless draw.
Switzerland extended their lead at the top of Group B to six points after a 66th minute header from substitute Josip Drmic gave them a 1-0 home win over Latvia, while Andorra earned their first point by holding the Faroe Islands to a 0-0 draw.