Netherlands are staring at an exit, and they will now need some luck if they are to finish at least third in Group A of the Euro 2016 qualifiers, after their loss to Turkey on Sunday.
Iceland and Czech Republic have confirmed their berth in Euro 2016 from Group A, with two more qualifiers to go. While Turkey are currently third with 12 points, the Dutch stay fourth with ten points. Whoever finishes third following the end of ten games will either go through as one of the best third-placed finishers or move into the two-legged play-off.
A total of nine games – from Group A, Group B, and Group H – were played on Sunday, and apart from Iceland and Czech Republic, none of the sides have yet sealed confirmation to the finals of the tournament. Wales dropped points on the day and now have to wait until a month to confirm their direct qualification from Group B.
And the competition in Group H is very close, with the likes of Croatia, Norway, and leaders Italy still in contention for a direct qualification.
Below is a roundup of the games from Sunday:
GROUP A
Turkey 3-0 Netherlands
Nothing quite seems to be working for the Dutch army as they recorded back-to-back losses in the Euro qualifiers, and are currently fourth in the group. Turkey recorded a 3-0 win over their opponents at the Konya Büyükşehir Belediyesi Stadyum, with goals coming in from former Arsenal youngster Oguzhan Ozyakup, Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan, and Galatasaray star forward Burak Yilmaz.
Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie came close to scoring on the day for Danny Blind's side, but they failed in their pursuit, and as a result had to suffer a defeat at the hands of their opponents for the first time since 1997.
With just two games to go, and Iceland and Czech Republic already sealing qualification, Blind's men have to step up now, or their Euro 2016 dreams will be over. Turkey are currently in the third spot, two points ahead of the Dutch.
Other games of the Group: Latvia 1-2 Czech Republic, Iceland 0-0 Kazakhstan
GROUP B
Wales 0-0 Israel
Gareth Bale's team have to wait for at least a month to determine if they have sealed a confirmed berth to Euro 2016. They could have made history yesterday, but a goalless draw scuppered their plans. Wales still lead Group B, with two games to go, but they are just a point ahead of Belgium, and five points above Israel.
Following the goalless draw, Wales skipper Ashley Williams rued the missed chance. "They made it difficult for us. We wanted to get it done and dusted today, but it has been a positive week," the Swansea defender told Sky Sports.
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, Gareth Bale and a host of other Wales players came close to scoring, but they were unable to find the winner in Cardiff. Wales last qualified for a major football tournament in 1958 for the FIFA World Cup, and a qualification after more than 50 years will give them a huge boost in confidence.
Other games of the Group: Cyprus 0-1 Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 Andorra
GROUP H
Italy 1-0 Bulgaria
Daniele De Rossi's sixth minute penalty was enough for Italy to get a victory on the day at the Renzo Barbera Stadium in Palermo, and move to the top of the group with 18 points from eight games. The Roma midfielder will however miss the next match for his side as he was sent off along with Bulgaria's Ilian Mitsanski in the second half.
Italy's qualification has not been confirmed yet as both Norway and Croatia have equal chances to get their place in the top two following the end of ten games. Norway are just two points behind the Azzurri, while Croatia are a point behind Norway.
In the game between them on the day, Norway moved above the Croats after getting all three points at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo.
Other games of the Group: Norway 2-0 Croatia, Malta 2-2 Azerbaijan
