The Netherlands got the win they needed, but didn't get the big win they wanted. With Sweden beating Belarus 4-0 in Borisov through goals by Emil Forsberg, Christoffer Nyman, Marcus Berg and Andreas Granqvist their aim to finish second in the group remained difficult. Sweden now are on 16 points out of 8 matches, France are on 16 from 7, the Netherlands on 13 from 8 and Bulgaria on 12 from 8.

If France, which hosts Luxembourg later on Sunday night, claims the group victory and Sweden wins their next home match against Luxembourg and the Dutch beat Belarus the battle for the second place will be decided in the final encounter on October 10 in Amsterdam between the Netherlands and Sweden. The Dutch need a win to have a chance and also have to pass the Swedes on goal difference.

The goal difference of Sweden (+11) is at the moment far better than that of the Dutch (+5). And the eventual number two also has to be among the best runners-up. The nine winners of each European group will qualify for the World Cup in Russia, while the eight best runners-up will advance to the play-offs. So the Dutch are still in contention for a World Cup spot, but their position to get that spot did not get bigger.

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