France, Portugal qualify for World Cup as Netherlands miss out on Russia 2018

France and Portugal both won on Tuesday to secure qualification for next year's World Cup – but Netherlands will not be present at Russia 2018 after missing out on the play-offs.

Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud scored the goals as a nervy France defeated Belarus 2-1 in Paris to make sure of top spot in Group A.

Sweden finished second in the table despite losing 2-0 to the Netherlands, who needed to score at least seven goals and win by six to secure a top-two spot.

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They managed to find the net only twice in Amsterdam, both from Arjen Robben in the first half, meaning they will miss a World Cup for the first time since 2002.

— cantworkitout on October 10, 2017
— cantworkitout on October 10, 2017

Portugal and Switzerland met in Lisbon to decide who would triumph in Group B. Cristiano Ronaldo's European champions ran out 2-0 winners, meaning they finish on top courtesy of their superior goal difference.

Defeat means the Swiss will have to negotiate a two-legged play-off staged in November to qualify, though they will be seeded when the draw is made in Zurich on October 17.

— cantworkitout on October 10, 2017

Switzerland will, therefore, avoid coming up against fellow seeds Croatia, Denmark and Italy, with Northern Ireland, Sweden, Republic of Ireland and Greece - who finished second in Group H - the other nations involved.

With Greece winning 4-0 at home to Gilbraltar to move to 19 points, Slovakia are the unfortunate second-placed nation to miss out on a play-off berth.

As well as France and Portugal, Belgium, England, Germany, Iceland, Poland, Serbia and Spain all clinched automatic qualification for the tournament by winning their respective groups.