'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
4) Wales
The tiny UK representatives took a giant leap towards one of the most historic moments for the nation as they beat their closest group rivals Belgium 1-0 in Cardiff to climb to the top of Group B. The world’s most expensive player Gareth Bale was the hero once again as his strike midway in the first half was enough to secure 3 vital points against the second best team in the FIFA rankings.
The Dragons have never played in a European competition and their last appearance in a major international tournament came way back in 1958 when they played in that year’s World Cup in Sweden. 57 years have passed and the wait for the nation’s desire to compete at an elite level again, is edging tantalizingly closer to the finish line.
The Welsh have won 4 matches and drawn two of their 6 qualifiers so far and with 3 points above Belgium, are in a really favourable position.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wales | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 14 |
| 2 | Belgium | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 11 |
| 3 | Israel | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | Cyprus | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 9 |
| 5 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 8 |
| 6 | Andorra | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 23 | −20 | 0 |
5) England
The only other side apart from Slovakia to do a clean sweep so far, England were riding high on Jack Wilshere’s brace as they survived a scare and edged out a gritty Slovenia side with a 3-2 victory. The win was their sixth in succession in the qualifiers and they appear to be in great form ahead of the mega-event.
After a disastrous World Cup on Brazilian soil last year, which saw them bowing out in the group stage itself, the Three Lions have hit back strongly and are now undefeated in the 10 games they’ve played since then. Pitted in a really easy group, Switzerland appeared to be the only able side to mount a challenge for the top spot in Group E.
But the Swiss stood no chance against England as they were beaten 2-0 at home when the two sides last met in September. Another slip-up, in the very next game, to Slovenia meant they now trail the leaders by a massive 6 points.
Amongst all other teams, England are the closest to the qualification, with only 4 points separating them from a place in France.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 15 | 18 |
| 2 | Switzerland | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 12 |
| 3 | Slovenia | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 9 |
| 4 | Estonia | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 7 |
| 5 | Lithuania | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 12 | −8 | 6 |
| 6 | San Marino | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 19 | −19 | 1 |
