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Disappointed Dutch players after 2-2 in Montenegro
Photo: Montenegro v The Netherlands / imago images / ANP
Big disappointment for coach Louis van Gaal and his Dutch, who awarded the first match point for qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with the draw in Montenegro.
For a long time it looked good for the victory that was needed: Memphis Depay (26th minute, penalty kick / 54th) gave the guests a 2-0 lead, but the hosts hit back - Ilija Vukotić (82nd) and Nikola Vujnović (86th) .) took care of the late compensation.
Since Turkey won 6-0 against Gibraltar and Norway separated 0-0 from Latvia, the following constellation arises before the final matchday: The Dutch (20 points) can be ousted by Norway (18) in a direct duel and also by the Turks (18) are overtaken with a victory in Montenegro.
Third place would mean missing the World Cup again, like in Russia in 2018.
The Dutch have to do without the support of their fans against Norway.
All 44,000 tickets had been sold for the game in the De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, but due to the new corona restrictions, the game will go on without spectators.
Belgium and France qualified
The Belgians are sure to be there in Qatar: They won 3-1 (1-0) against Estonia without any problems.
Christian Benteke (11th), Yannick Carrasco (53rd) and Dortmund's Thorgan Hazard (74th) met in Brussels for the third place in the World Cup.
Behind the Belgians, Wales and the Czech Republic are fighting for second place.
The Welsh defeated Belarus 5-1 (3-0) and received the leaders in Cardiff on Tuesday.
The lead on the Czech Republic, which was free of play on Saturday, is three points and two.
With Estonia, however, the Czechs have a much easier task.
Mbappé first four-goal scorer since 1958
World champion France, along with Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Brazil and host Qatar, will also be part of the 2022 tournament.
With a pack of four, Kylian Mbappé (6th / 12th / 32nd / 87th) led the Equipe Tricolore to 8-0 (3-0) victory over harmless Kazakhs, Karim Benzema (55th / 59th), Adrien Rabiot ( 75th) and Antoine Griezmann (84th) followed suit.
It was the first time since Just Fontaine in 1958 that a Frenchman had scored four goals in an international match.
France lead Group D ahead of the last game on Tuesday in Finland with 15 points ahead of the Scandinavians (11).
Ukraine (9) may also have chances for the play-offs before the game in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Austria can hope thanks to the Nations League
Thanks to the French victory, Austria suddenly has a chance of qualifying for a World Cup again, although it only finished fourth in its group.
Since it was already clear beforehand that Belgium, Italy and Spain would also finish their groups on one of the first two group places, Austria will be in the play-offs at the end of March 2022 thanks to the Nations League group victory in the previous year.
Results, tables and statistics for World Cup qualifications can be found in our live center.
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