Israel routs Andorra 4-0 in Euro qualifier

Israel routed soccer minnow Andorra 4-0 in Haifa on Thursday, to take it into third place in its qualifying group for next year’s European Championship.

Eran Zahavi opened the scoring after just four minutes, and the home team rattled in three more goals before half-time, courtesy of Nir Bitton, Tomer Hemed (from the penalty spot) and Moanes Dabour.

Elsewhere in Group B, a Gareth Bale header powered Wales closer to the championship and ending a 58-year wait to qualify for a major tournament again.

The Real Madrid forward clinched a 1-0 victory in Cyprus with his sixth goal in Euro 2016 qualifying, maintaining a three-point lead for Wales over Belgium in Group B.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmhpF_qFquE

It had been a frustrating 82 minutes for Bale until he rose in the penalty area to meet Ashley Richards’ cross with a powerful header. Bale’s relief at scoring, and the magnitude of the win, was evident as he charged over the touchline to hug coach Chris Coleman.

If Wales beat Israel at home on Sunday, it will secure a first trip to a tournament since the 1958 World Cup. The game is critical for Israel, too, if it is to have any hope of making next year’s tournament.

“We know what we have to do,” Bale said. “We are a strong team, we are together. We know what our capabilities are. We have earned the right to be in this position.”

Belgium nudged closer to the finals in France by beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 with first-half goals from Marouane Fellaini and Kevin De Bruyne, and a late penalty from Eden Hazard.

With three games remaining, Israel are two points behind Belgium in third.

The top two teams from each of the nine groups are guaranteed a place in France. The best third-place team also qualifies and the other eight contest a play-off.