Highlights: England shock Spain as Switzerland condemn Iceland
Monday, October 15, 2018
Article summary
England held off Spain to claim a shock win in Seville as Iceland were relegated.
Article top media content
Article body
- England condemn Spain to first home loss in 15 years
- Iceland relegated to League B after third defeat
- Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland extend 100% starts
- Next games in these groups: 15 November; friendlies
League A
Group A2: Iceland 1-2 Switzerland
An outstanding goalkeeping display from Yvon Mvogo condemned the hosts to relegation. Mvogo denied Gylfi Sigurdsson on multiple occasions, as Haris Seferović's header and Michael Lang's finish put the Swiss two up. Alfred Finnbogason's wonderful strike from distance kept Iceland in it, but they couldn't find a way past the inspired Mvogo.
Group A4: Spain 2-3 England
England inflicted Spain's first competitive defeat on home turf since June 2003 with a fine display in Seville. Raheem Sterling – whose well-taken brace doubled his international goal tally in one game – and Marcus Rashford gave the visitors a three-goal advantage at the interval. Substitute Paco Alcácer and Sergio Ramos scored in the second half, but England held on to move to within two points of Spain at the top of the section.
League B
Group B3: Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 Northern Ireland
In echoes of their first encounter last month, Bosnia and Herzegovina punished Northern Ireland's lack of composure in front of goal in a match decided by two clinical strikes in Sarajevo. Edin Džeko consigned the visitors to a third straight defeat with a classy finish in each half, giving his side a commanding six-point lead at the summit.
League C
Group C2: Estonia 3-3 Hungary
Estonia struck first in a pulsating Tallinn tie, Siim Luts rounding off a well-worked move, but Hungary were level within four minutes thanks to Dominik Nagy's perfectly-placed shot on the stretch. Quick feet from Adám Szalai allowed the Hungary captain to fire the visitors in front midway through the second half, but Máté Pátkai deflected in a cross to make it all square again. Henri Anier's 79th-minute goal was cancelled out by Szalai two minutes later. Estonia registered their first point, Hungary stay third.
Group C2: Finland 2-0 Greece
Finland need just a point from their last two matches to guarantee top spot after registering a fourth successive win (and clean sheet) in Group C2. Pyry Soiri put the hosts in the ascendancy with a goal 52 seconds into the second half, capitalising on some lax defending, and Glen Kamara sealed it late on. And all this despite in-form Teemu Pukki limping off early on.
League D
Group D2: Belarus 0-0 Moldova
Both sides were denied by the woodwork in Minsk, Vitalie Damaşcan's fierce drive coming off the post early in the second half in Moldova's best move. At the other end, Ion Jardan cleared a Mikhail Sivakov shot off the line before Igor Stasevich curled against the post in added time. Belarus drop to second, a point behind Luxembourg and three ahead of third-placed Moldova.
Group D2: Luxembourg 3-0 San Marino
Luxembourg climbed back to the top of the section after a commanding victory. David Turpel's early strike set the tone and the home side were well on top when Alex Gasperoni saw red nine minutes after half-time. Goals from Danel Sinani and Vincent Thill duly sealed the points.
