Wales
Wales claimed the second automatic qualifying place in Group E after beating Hungary 2-0. A brace from Aaron Ramsey saw Wales into Euro 2020, four years on from their incredible 2016 tournament which saw them beating the likes of Belgium and reaching the semi-finals.
Harry Wilson replaced Gareth Bale with two minutes remaining the Liverpool loanee getting a short run out after he started the previous tie against Azerbaijan.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland did not have a good time in Germany. A heavy 6-1 defeat has no bearing on them making the play-offs as they had already progressed. A hat trick from Serge Gnabry saw him continue his scoring form against Northern Ireland.
The away side took a shock lead through Michael Smith. Twelve minutes later Gnabry would equalize and the home side would go on too control the game with ease.
Due to Wales beating Hungary, Martin O’Neill’s side will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in their first play-off game. The two sides had faced off in the Nations League with Ireland losing twice.
England
England continued from where they left off against Montenegro with a win away at Kosovo.
Harry Winks opened the scoring in the 32nd minute of what was a lack luster first half. The second half was an improvement from the away side the last ten minutes England really came alive scoring three goals to see out the game and the group.
Scotland
Scotland came from behind to beat Kazakhstan. Baktiyar Zainutdinov’s first half strike was cancelled out through a second half comeback from Steve Clarke’s men.
Two goals from John McGinn and one from Steven Naismith saw Scotland secure third place in Group I.
Scotland will be in the play-offs thanks to them topping their Nations League group. The team they can face are Bulgaria, Hungary, Israel or Romania.
Scotland ended their group nine points off of second placed Russia.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland fell just short of the automatic qualifying spots with a 1-1 draw to Denmark.
They had to beat Denmark to claim second place in Group D.
The game did not go to plan for Mick McCarthy’s men after Martin Braithwaite scored for Denmark with just over 15 minutes remaining, leaving Ireland with a major task to gain automatic promotion.
Ireland would equalize with just five minutes remaining through Matt Doherty, who powered a header home to send the crowd into rapture.
Republic of Ireland will face Slovakia in the play-offs.
photo by Jon Candy
