Holland heartbreak for Northern Ireland as Dutch strike late

HOLLAND 3 N. IRELAND 1

Northern Ireland suffered heartbreak in Rotterdam as Holland scored twice in stoppage time to snatch a 3-1 victory which leaves Euro 2020 qualification hopes hanging by a thread for Michael O’Neill’s men.

Josh Magennis’ 75th-minute header had Northern Ireland dreaming of a victory which would have ranked amongst their greatest results, but it fell apart late on.

Memphis Depay levelled just five minutes after they fell behind, and then scored his second of the night in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Luuk de Jong scored the second.

It was brutally cruel on Northern Ireland, who had battled bravely for 90 minutes and looked like they would be rewarded with a point which kept them firmly in the conversation to reach next summer’s finals.

But instead they ended the night third in Group C, level on points with the Dutch and the Germans, who have both played a game less and who will both face Northern Ireland next month.

SLOVAKIA 1 WALES 1

Wales stayed in the hunt for Euro 2020 qualification with a battling 1-1 draw against Slovakia in Trnava.

Kieffer Moore’s first goal for his country gave Wales hope of ending a 12-month wait for an away win.

But Juraj Kucka equalised eight minutes after half-time with a splendid volley from the edge of the area.

Slovakia were reduced to 10 men two minutes from time when Norbert Gyomber received his second yellow card, but Wales could not find the winner in what was a pulsating contest.

It was a must-not lose game for Wales with Ryan Giggs’ side three points adrift of Slovakia, albeit with a game in hand.

Belgium consolidated their position at the top of Scotland’s group, thrashing San Marino 9-0.

Romelu Lukaku bagged a brace as the Belgians led 6-0 at halftime, with the other goals coming from two own goals and Nacer Chadli and Youri Tielemans.

In the second half, Christian Benteke made it 7-0 before Yari Verschaeren scored a penalty and Timothy Castagne wrapped up the win.

Kazakhstan remain a point ahead of Scotland in Group I despite losing 2-1 to Cyprus.

The home side went ahead through Temirlan Erlanov in the 34th minute, but the Cypriots hit back late on through Pieros Sotiriou (73) and Nicholas Ioannou (84) to seal a victory that moved them up to third in the group.

Elsewhere, Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick as Poland beat Latvia 3-0 and a Croatia side featuring Rangers’ full-back Borna Barisic defeated Hungary 3-0.

Belarus drew 0-0 with Estonia, Austria beat Israel 3-1, despite going behind and North Macedonia defeated Slovenia 2-1.

Picture: PA. Josh Magennis is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring for Northern Ireland.