- Germany win late in Netherlands, Northern Ireland top
- Wales start with victory, Hungary defeat Croatia
- Belgium, Scotland, Russia secure away triumphs
- Lewandowski strikes, Israel impress, Slovenia held
- Standings; next games in June
- Watch highlights from 24:00CET on Monday
GROUP C
Netherlands 2-3 Germany
These rivals produced another thriller following their UEFA Nations League duels – but this time Germany had the last laugh. The visitors dominated the first half and led through fine goals from Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry, before the Dutch replied after the interval through Matthijs de Ligt and Memphis Depay. Nico Schulz coolly dispatched Marco Reus’s cross in the 90th minute to cap a pulsating finish.
Northern Ireland 2-1 Belarus
Substitute Josh Magennis turned in Paddy McNair’s 87th-minute cross to move Northern Ireland three points clear. The home side had taken the lead too, via a Jonny Evans header on the half-hour, but a deflected Igor Stasevich shot shortly afterwards looked to have clinched Belarus a first point in the section until the late drama.
GROUP E
Wales 1-0 Slovakia
Winger Dan James scored an excellent early opener on his competitive international debut to give Wales a winning start. Ryan Giggs’ youthful line-up enjoyed an electric first half, although they endured nervy moments late on against a dogged Slovakia side, whom they join on three points.
Hungary 2-1 Croatia
Hungary came from behind for their first competitive win against Croatia thanks to midfielder Máté Pátkai’s maiden international goal. Ádám Szalai’s fifth strike in five cancelled out Ante Rebić’s early opener before Patkai’s 76th-minute tap-in secured Hungary’s fourth straight home victory, leaving both on three points.
GROUP G
Israel 4-2 Austria
Israel beat Austria for the first time in 20 years thanks to a superb hat-trick from Eran Zahavi in Haifa. His two headers put the hosts in front after Marko Arnautović’s opener, before he fired in a third and Munas Dabbur added another. That took Andreas Herzog’s team to four points as Austria suffered a second group loss.
Slovenia 1-1 FYR Macedonia
Enis Bardi’s rifled equaliser two minutes after half-time consigned Slovenia to a fifth successive 1-1 draw and extended their winless competitive run. Slack marking allowed midfielder Miha Zajc to head a first-half opener, but FYR Macedonia hit back for their fourth group point.
Poland 2-0 Latvia
Robert Lewandowski ended a run of eight international games without a goal to put Poland on course for a second straight victory. The hosts were struggling to make their domination count until the Bayern striker headed in from Arkadiusz Reca’s cross on 76 minutes, before Kamil Glik nodded in from a corner to ensure Latvia remain without a point.
GROUP I
Kazakhstan 0-4 Russia
Denis Cheryshev struck twice in the first half, and had a hand in Russia’s other goals as the visitors joined their hosts on three points. The Valencia man laid on the third for Artem Dzyuba, while his free-kick led to Abzal Beysebekov diverting the fourth past his own keeper.
San Marino 0-2 Scotland
Scotland recovered from their opening loss in Kazakhstan as Kenny McLean headed in Ryan Fraser’s early cross to settle the visitors’ nerves. Nevertheless, they had to wait until the 74th minute to seal the points, Johnny Russell firing in following a flowing counterattack.
Cyprus 0-2 Belgium
First-half goals from Eden Hazard and Michy Batshuayi in Nicosia helped Belgium continue their perfect start to qualifying. The Chelsea forward celebrated a century of caps by netting his 30th international goal in the victory.
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