In the action around UEFA on SUN 03-TUE 05 SEP 2017, Belgium secured qualification, and a few other teams earned at least a place in the playoffs.

• France 00-00 Luxembourg: Jonathan JOUBERT and his defense will surely receive a hero’s welcome upon their return to Luxembourg. Joubert made eight saves, and the Red Lion defenders blocked thirteen more French shots, on their way to a goalless draw. Indeed, Luxembourg’s Gerson RODRIGUES had an opportunity to take all three points in the 79th minute, but hit the post instead. France still sit atop Group A, but with Sweden now only one point behind.
• Hungary 00-01 Portugal: A header by André SILVA early in the second half wrapped up the victory against Hungary, reduced to ten men after Tamás PRISKIN’s 30th minute dismissal for an elbow to PEPE’s face. Portugal and Switzerland are both assured of at least a place in the playoffs, with their encounter in Lisbon next month likely to decide Group B.
• Greece 01-02 Belgium: The Red Devils became the first European side to qualify for Russia, as Romelu LUKAKU’s tenth goal of the campaign proved decisive. Greece are still in with a shot at finishing second in Group H and reaching the playoffs.
• Northern Ireland 02-00 Czech Rep: First half goals from Jonny EVANS and Chris BRUNT earned at least a top two finish in Group C for N Ireland. However, they must defeat group leaders Germany next month in Belfast to retain any possibility of qualifying directly.
• Montenegro 01-00 Romania: The only goal came in the 75th minute from Stevan JOVETIĆ, and it helped Montenegro keep pace with Poland and Denmark in Group E. Montenegro face both of their rivals, Denmark at home and Poland away, next month.
• England 02-01 Slovakia: Stanislav LOBOTKA put the visitors ahead early, but Eric DIER and Marcus RASHFORD responded on either side of the interval. England need two points from their last two matches – Slovenia at home and Lithuania away – to secure the Group F title.
• Ireland Rep 00-01 Serbia: Aleksandar KOLAROV put the visitors ahead early in the second half with a powerful shot off the underside of the bar. Nikola MAKSIMOVIĆ was sent off in the 68th minute for denying a goalscoring opportunity, but the Eagles bunkered in and held on to win. They extend their lead to four points in Group D.
• Italy 01-00 Israel: A 53rd minute header from Ciro IMMOBILE was enough to keep the Azzurri within three points of Group G leaders Spain.
• Iceland 02-00 Ukraine: Gylfi SIGURĐSSON’s two goals in the second half pull Iceland level with Group I leaders Croatia, who stumbled to a 1-0 home loss against Turkey. Ukraine and Turkey are themselves tied, two points back. Two pivotal matches, Turkey-Iceland and Ukraine-Croatia, are coming up next month.
• Qualified this matchday: Belgium
• Advanced this matchday: Germany, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland
• Eliminated this matchday: Armenia, Belarus, Czech Rep, Hungary, Israel, Norway, Romania, San Marino