(Reuters) – The top-ranked Belgian scored eight goals against Belarus and the Dutch crash seven past Gibraltar but Portugal suffered a scare before beating Luxembourg as the World Cup qualifying matches continued yesterday.
There were also victories for Croatia, Serbia and Norway while Slovakia upset Russia and Wales set up their campaign with a late winner against the Czech Republic.
Belgium had been held 1-1 by the Czechs at the weekend but claimed their second Group E victory in decisive fashion.
Coach Roberto Martinez gave several of his fringe players a chance and was rewarded with a rousing display as Hans Vanaken and Leandro Trossard scored twice while Michy Batshuayi, Jeremy Doku, Denis Praet and Christian Benteke were also on target.
Belgium top the group with seven points from three games, three points ahead of the Czech Republic who fell to a 1-0 defeat in Wales after Daniel James headed a late winner from a Gareth Bale cross. The Welsh have three points.
The two sides ended with 10 men after Patrik Schick saw red for the Czechs just after half-time, while Connor Roberts was sent off for the hosts just before the winning goal.
The Netherlands could not fully match their Belgian neighbors but four goals in nine second-half minutes helped them demolish Gibraltar in Group G.
Only Steven Berghuis’ goal separated the sides at half time but Luuk de Jong, Memphis Depay, Georginio Wijnaldum and Donyell Malen all scored in quick succession before Donny van de Beek added a sixth and Depay had their second to give biggest away home win to the Netherlands since and a 7-0 win over San Marino in 1993.
The Netherlands have six points, one behind Turkey who were tragically held to a 3-3 tie at home by Latvia.
Turkey had beaten the Netherlands and Norway in superb fashion to lead the group but they ended with Davis Ikaunieks scoring late for Latvia denying the hosts a third consecutive victory.
RONALDO SCORES
Luxembourg, who stunned Ireland 1-0 at the weekend in Group A, looked to be on track for another shocking result when they took the lead against Portugal thanks to a goal by Portugal-born Gerson Rodrigues the half hour mark.
But Diogo Jota equalized in the second minute of extra time at the end of the first half and Cristiano Ronaldo put his side ahead early in the second half.
Substitute Joao Palhinha sealed the victory in the 80th minute as Portugal moved to the top of the division.
They are flat on seven points from three games with Serbia for which Aleksandar Mitrovic scored both goals in a 2-1 away win for Azerbaijan. He has already scored five goals in the campaign.
Croatia cruised to a 3-0 victory at home to Malta with second-half substitutes Ivan Perisic, Luka Modric and Josip Brekalo scoring to put the second best of the 2018 World Cup at the top of Group H.
Croatia are six points from three games, ahead of Russia on goal difference after a 2-1 loss to Slovakia for which Robert Mak struck the winner in the 74th minute.
In Group G, Norway secured a 1-0 win away from Montenegro with Alexander Sorloth scoring the first-half winner to move them to six points, on a level with Montenegro and the Netherlands.
World champions France, England, Spain, Germany and Italy are all in action in today’s qualifying matches.