Czech Republic and Iceland qualified for Euro 2016 after securing a top two placing in Group A but Wales were made to wait following a frustrating goalless draw against Israel in Group B.

The Czechs were in control when David Limbersky and Vladmir Darida gave them a two-goal half-time lead but they had to hold off a late Latvia fightback to take the points and join Iceland at the top of Group A on the 19-point mark and move out of reach of third-placed Turkey (12 points) and Netherlands (10) with two matches to play .

The visitors dominated proceedings and Limbersky’s opening goal came after just 13 minutes at the end of a smart short corner routine and a powerful shot from close range as Latvia’s defence were caught napping.

Darida drove home a shot from the edge of the penalty area to double the lead.

Latvia rarely threatened until Zjurzins turned inside the Czech defence and had a chance right in front of goal in the 35th minute but saw his effort brilliantly parried away by Petr Cech, brought into action for the first time.

The Czech captain also foiled a touch on by Igors Tarasovs from a dangerous free-kick just before the hour mark but was beaten by Zjurzins’s effort in the 73rd minute.

Latvia were applauded off for their late efforts but the Czechs celebrated with nervous relief in front of some 300 travelling away fans as they booked their place at the finals in France next year.

Iceland’s 0-0 draw with Kazakhstan sparked jubilant scenes as they qualified for the finals of a major tournament for the first time yesterday.

Knowing a point would be enough to ensure qualification for the finals in France, the home crowd urged their side on with chants of “Afram Island!” on a rainy night in Reykjavik.

They were rewarded with a typically committed, battling performance filled with chances but no goals.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson all went close for Iceland but the ragged Kazakhs stood firm to take their second point in the campaign.

Turkey dealt a hammer blow to already faint Dutch chances of qualifying with a 3-0 home victory which left the Netherlands in fourth place.

First-half goals by Oguzhan Ozyakup and Arda Turan put the hosts in charge and 85th minute effort by Burak Yilmaz sealed the points for Turkey who moved two points above the Dutch into third spot.

Belgium laboured to a late 1-0 win over Cyprus to keep both qualification slots open in Group B.

Anything other than three points for the Belgians would have guaranteed leaders Wales passage through to the Euro 2016 finals following their goalless draw against Israel earlier yesterday and the Cypriots looked like doing Chris Coleman’s men a huge favour.

However, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard struck four minutes from time to ensure the outcome of the group will not be decided until the final round of matches next month.

Daniele De Rossi converted an early penalty and was later sent off as Italy beat Bulgaria 1-0 in a match which saw goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon win his 150th cap for the hosts yesterday.

De Rossi scored with a twice-taken penalty in the sixth minute but blotted his copybook early in the second half when he was dismissed after clashing with Iliyan Mitsanski, who was also sent off.

Buffon, who won his first cap in a World Cup qualifier away to Russia in 1997, rescued Italy with a difficult save from Giorgi Milanov in stoppage time.

The win took Italy top of Group H with 18 points from eight games and kept them on course for a top-two finish which would ensure a place in next year’s finals.

Berget double

Norway follow the Azzurri in second place after Jo-Inge Berget scored twice in the second half to propel his team to a 2-0 win over Croatia.

Hammered 5-1 in Zagreb in March, the surprise victory put the Norwegians on 16 points, two ahead of Croatia and two adrift of Italy.

In a tight and tense first half, Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic came closest to breaking the deadlock just before half-time with his fine header forcing Orjan Nyland into a flying save.

Mandzukic twice went close early after the break before Berget put the hosts in front, snapping up Vegard Forren’s deflected shot and sending Ivan Rakitic sliding in the wrong direction before rifling home with his left foot in the 51st minute.

Berget scored a similar second 18 minutes later, this time wrong-footing Darijo Srna before thumping another left-footer which took a deflection off Vedran Corluka’s toe before flying into the net.

Norway now face Malta at home before travelling to Italy for their final game, while Croatia host Bulgaria before visiting the Maltese for their final qualifier.

Group A

Latvia 1
Zjuzins 73;
Czech Rep. 2
Limbersky 13; Darida 25;

Turkey 3
Ozyakup 8; Turan 26; Yilmaz 86;
Netherlands 0

Iceland 0
Kazakhstan 0

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Iceland	8	6	1	1	15	3	19
Czech Rep.	8	6	1	1	16	10	19
Turkey	8	3	3	2	11	9	12
Netherlands	8	3	1	4	13	10	10
Latvia	8	0	4	4	4	16	4
Kazakhstan	8	0	2	6	5	16	2

Group B

Wales 0
Israel 0

Bosnia 3
Bicakcic 14; Dzeko 30; Lulic 45;
Andorra 0

Red cards: Besic (B) 63; Rodriguez (A) 63.

Cyprus 0
Belgium 1
Hazard 85;

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Wales	8	5	3	0	9	2	18
Belgium	8	5	2	1	17	3	17
Israel	8	4	1	3	14	9	13
Bosnia	8	3	2	3	12	10	11
Cyprus	8	3	0	5	12	13	9
Andorra	8	0	0	8	3	30	0

Group H

Malta 2
Mifsud 55; Effiong 71;
Azerbaijan 2
Amirguliyev 36, 80

Norway 2
Berget 51, 69;
Croatia 0

Italy 1
De Rossi 6 pen.;
Bulgaria 0

Red cards: De Rossi (I) 55; Micanski (B) 56.

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Italy	8	5	3	0	11	5	18
Norway	8	5	1	2	10	8	16
Croatia (-1)	8	4	3	1	16	15	14
Bulgaria	8	2	2	4	7	9	8
Azerbaijan	8	1	3	4	6	13	6
Malta	8	0	2	6	3	13	2

Playing today

Group D
Ireland vs Georgia - 20.45
Poland vs Gibraltar - 20.45
Scotland vs Germany - 20.45

Group F
Finland vs Faroe Islands - 20.45
N. Ireland vs Hungary - 20.45
Romania vs Greece - 20.45

Group I
Armenia vs Denmark - 18.00
Albania vs Portugal - 20.45

Friendly
France vs Serbia - 20.45