European Qualifiers for World Cup: what to look out for on Tuesday

One last automatic FIFA World Cup spot is up for grabs as the group phase of the European Qualifiers comes to an end on Tuesday. The Group G winners will qualify, and there are also places on offer for the play-offs, which will feature the ten group runners-up and the two highest-ranked UEFA Nations League group winners who finish outside the top two.

UEFA.com picks out the key games and important subplots.

Tuesday 16 November

Group D: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Ukraine, Finland vs France
Group E: Czech Republic vs Estonia, Wales vs Belgium
Group G: Gibraltar vs Latvia, Montenegro vs Turkey, Netherlands vs Norway

All kick-offs 20:45 CET

 Where to watch the European Qualifiers 

You can find your local broadcaster(s) here.

The big match: Netherlands vs Norway

There was nothing to separate these Group G nations until Norway were held in Turkey last month before then proceeding to draw at home to Latvia. The Dutch now possess a two-point cushion over their Scandinavian rivals, although after being similarly thwarted by a late Montenegro comeback at the weekend, the Oranje could yet be overhauled by both Norway – their last-day opponents in Rotterdam – and a Turkish team also within two points of the summit.

Struggling after breaking a bone in his hip, Oranje coach Louis van Gaal hopes his side can rise to the occasion after a frustrating performance in Podgorica. "We have to play smarter in a collective sense," he said. "We gave away a lot of space against Montenegro. After losing the ball, and that sometimes happened, Montenegro were able to make use of that."

Best of the rest

• Having made their EURO finals debut this summer, Finland are still dreaming of a first World Cup finals too, though they can now only make it to Qatar via the long route – and only if they can do enough at home against Group D winners France to deny Ukraine the runners-up slot. Two points separate the sides; Ukraine can only finish second if Finland lose.
• Wales marked Gareth Bale's 100th international appearance with a 5-1 win against Belarus on Saturday, but that was not enough to reel in Group E winners Belgium or to leave them with no lingering doubts for their final match. Should they lose at home against the Red Devils, the Czech Republic could take the play-off slot with a win against Estonia.

Sunday 14 November

Group A: Luxembourg 0-3 Republic of Ireland, Portugal 1-2 Serbia
Group B: Greece 1-1 Kosovo, Spain 1-0 Sweden
Group H: Croatia 1-0 Russia, Malta 0-6 Slovakia, Slovenia 2-1 Cyprus
Group J: Armenia 1-4 Germany, Liechtenstein 0-2 Romania, North Macedonia 3-1 Iceland

Monday 15 November

Group C: Northern Ireland 0-0 Italy, Switzerland 4-0 Bulgaria
Group F: Austria 4-1 Moldova, Israel 3-2 Faroe Islands, Scotland 2-0 Denmark
Group I: Albania 1-0 Andorra, Poland 1-2 Hungary, San Marino 0-10 England