Euro 2020 qualifiers, RESULT: Holland 4-0 Belarus plus the rest of the night's action including England's Under 21s clash against Poland

  • England pegged back by stunning Poland free-kick at Ashton Gate
  • Eden Hazard scores twice for Belgium who defeat ten-man Russia 3-1
  • Memphis Depay (2), Georginio Wijnaldum and Virgil van Dijk score for Holland
  • Northern Ireland strike twice in the second half against Estonia
  • Eight matches kicked off from 7.45pm in the Euro 2020 qualifiers
  • Holland, Belgium and Croatia among sides beginning their Euro 2020 campaign
  • England Under 21s prepared for summer's European Championship with friendly
  • Dan Ripley

    Host commentator

21:51
No slip ups from the big sides this evening...

Holland, Belgium and Croatia to varying degrees have got the job done and secured three points with their opening qualifiers, as have Northern Ireland who were good value in their 2-0 win over Estonia.

Attention now turns towards England though as they hope to follow suit when they face Czech Republic tomorrow. That's all from me though. Thanks for following and cheerio.

21:43
Here are the full-time scores from across Europe

EURO 2020 QUALIFIERS
Group C
Northern Ireland 2-0 Estonia
Holland 4-0 Belarus

Group E
Slovakia 2-0 Hungary
Croatia 2-1 Azerbaijan

Group G
Israel 1-1 Slovenia
Macedonia 3-1 Latvia
Austria 0-1 Poland

Group I
Cyprus 5-0 San Marino
Belgium 3-1 Russia
Kazakhstan 3-0 Scotland

UNDER 21 FRIENDLY
England 1-1 Poland

21:40
'Only Belarus' maybe but Holland are back...

Full-times everywhere by the way. Full results breakdown on the way...

21:38
Eden Hazard help make the points safe for Belgium with his second goal
21:37
Virgil van Dijk scored Holland's fourth goal against Belarus
21:36
England U21 1-1 Poland U21

Just wide! Hamza Choudhury attempts a first time strike from 20 yards with a placed effort that just evades the top corner. England don't look like they will get the win they would be good value for but either way this has been a good work out for the home side. Plenty of positives for sure.

21:31
GOAL! BELGIUM 3-1 Russia

Game over in Belgium too as sharp as a knife, Eden Hazard reacts to a ball bouncing off Michy Batshuayi to slot home his second goal of the evening.

Moments later Aleksandar Golovin is sent off for a second yellow card.

21:29
GOAL! HOLLAND 4-0 Belarus

Holland are playing with 10 men after Tete pulled his hamstring just a minute after coming on with the hosts having made all their subs.

It's still not enough to trouble them though, so much so that a clearly bored Virgil van Dijk charges forward for an attack before turning home a Depay ball across goal.

21:28
Holland 3-0 Belarus

Memphis Depay is denied his first international hat-trick as on the counter attack he collects a pass inside the box, only to fire straight at the keeper. Just five minutes left in Rotterdam.

21:27
England U21 1-1 Poland U21

Good news for England as Sebastian Szymanski departs with 10 minutes left, ensuring he isn't going to be finding the top corner from somewhere inside the hosts' half again from a dead ball this evening.

Curiously the free-kicks Poland have had in this period from shooting range in this second period has not seen the forward taken them. It's left me baffled.

21:24
Steven Davis celebrates doubling Northern Ireland's lead from the spot
21:21
GOAL! CROATIA 2-1 Azerbaijan

It's been a laboured performance from Croatia but they may have just got out of jail here as Andrej Kramaric has struck with just 11 minutes left to help the World Cup finalists turn the game around against Azerbaijan.

21:21
Elsewhere across Europe...

Krzysztof Piatek has come off the bench to give Poland the lead in Austria while Israel and Slovenia are locked at 1-1.

21:16
GOAL! NORTHERN IRELAND 2-0 Estonia

I'm not certain this should be a spot-kick as the foul on George Saville looked just outside the box but when opportunity knocks at international level you have to take it and Steven Davis' penalty low down the centre gives the hosts breathing space.

21:14
Northern Ireland 1-0 Estonia

Brilliant save from Bailey Peacock-Farrell! Henri Anier is put through on goal for Estonia, but the Northern Ireland stopper is quick off his line to deny the striker after closing down the angles.

21:12
Memphis Depay's penalty put Holland into a 3-0 lead over Belarus
21:08
Niall McGinn fired Northern Ireland in front against Estonia
21:06
England U21 1-1 Poland U21

Still unsure how England are not winning this game - they are battering Poland yet just cannot find a way past a sea of red shirts defending deep.

Encouragingly, Aidy Boothroyd's side are playing with a tempo that is causing a few issues for POalnd who admittedly are defending extremely well.

21:03
From Sportsmail's Dominic King at Ashton Gate

'Unusual to see Kieran Dowell playing as a holding midfielder but the position suits him. He knows how to play football and it would be nice to think he would get a chance at Everton one day.'

20:58
GOAL! HOLLAND 3-0 Belarus

'I Gotta Feeling' by the Black Eyed Peas is getting airwaves over the PA system in Rotterdam and tonight really is going to be a good night for Holland as Memphis Depay effectively settles the game from the penalty spot.

20:58
GOAL! NORTHERN IRELAND 1-0 Estonia

Breakthrough for Northern Ireland with Niall McGinn pouncing on a loose ball inside the box to lash home. Much needed goal for the hosts at Windsor Park.

20:55
Croatia's Borna Barisic equalised for his side before the break
20:52
The SECOND HALVES are back underway across Europe
Belgium's Eden Hazard is fouled in the penalty box by Russia's Yuri Zhirkov
The Chelsea forward fired Belgium back in front from the penalty spot
The goal came on the cusp of half-time for the hosts who had earlier been pegged back by Russia
20:48
You won't see too many better free-kicks than this...

Even if Poland are fortunate to be level against England, we should all feel better for having seen a strike of this quality. Worth the admission alone.

20:38
Here are all your-half-time scores across Europe

EURO 2020 QUALIFIERS

Group C
Northern Ireland 0-0 Estonia
Holland 2-0 Belarus

Group E
Slovakia 1-0 Hungary
Croatia 1-1 Azerbaijan

Group G
Israel 0-0 Slovenia
Macedonia 2-0 Latvia
Austria 0-0 Poland

Group I
Cyprus 5-0 San Marino (R)
Belgium 2-1 Russia
Kazakhstan 3-0 Scotland (R)

UNDER 21 FRIENDLY
England 1-1 Poland

Slovakia's Ondrej Duda celebrates scoring their first goal with team-mates against Hungary
20:32
GOAL! CROATIA 1-1 Azerbaijan

A minute before the break and Borna Barisic pulls Croatia level against Azerbaijan.

20:32
GOAL! BELGIUM 2-1 Russia

Eden Hazard is tripped inside the box by former Chelsea player Yuri Zhirkov's very lazy attempt of a challenge, and the Belgian gets to his feet to send the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

20:26
Elsewhere around Europe...

Still no goals at Windsor Park where Northern Ireland are drawing with Estonia, with Macedonia leading Latvia 2-0 elsewhere to keep you up-to-date with all the goals.

Northern Ireland struggled to find an opening against Estonia in the first half
20:21
GOAL! England U21 1-1 POLAND U21

Incredible - on so many levels! One reason is because England find themselves level again despite having dominated the game.

The second is because this is an astonishing strike. Sebastian Szymanski rifling in a free-kick which must be...what... 35 yards out? 

He won't be too surprised though, he is tipped as one of the leading talents coming off the Poland production line. Remember the name, even if you may struggle to spell it.

20:20
Croatia meanwhille still trail to a shock Azerbaijan strike
Azerbaijan's Ramil Sheydaev celebrates scoring their first goal against Croatia
20:18
Holland in control against Belarus thanks to Depay and Wijnaldum goals
20:16
England U21 1-0 Poland U21

Poland have fallen on the back foot since England's opening goal, and Aidy Boothroyd's side are looking well on top at Ashton Gate thanks to Calvert-Lewin's goal which you can see here:

20:14
Denis Cheryshev equalised for Russia following Youri Tielemans goal
20:11
Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates opening the scoring for England U21s
20:08
GOAL! HOLLAND 2-0 Belarus

Looking more comfortable are Holland, who against Belarus are clicking into Total Football mode as Depay collects a cross, before laying off a pass for Georginio Wijnaldum to clip home.

20:07
GOAL! Croatia 0-1 AZERBAIJAN

Big shock on at the Maksimir, with Ramil Sheydaev netting against the World Cup finalists for Azerbaijan.

20:04
GOAL! Belgium 1-1 RUSSIA

But Russia are level just two minutes later! Thibaut Courtois plays a horror pass out to a team-mate while under pressure and it allows Russia to win back back the ball and for Denis Cheryshev to find an instant equaliser.

20:01
GOAL! BELGIUM 1-0 Russia

Youri Tielemans collects a pass on the edge of the box, before the player on loan at Leicester City drills a lovely finish into the bottom corner,

20:00
GOAL! ENGLAND U21s 1-0 Poland U21s

Lovely goal from the hosts who have opened the scoring following an otherwise positive start from Poland. Reiss Nelson taking the ball past the keeper before cutting back for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to slot home

19:56
GOAL! HOLLAND 1-0 Belaurs

One side quick off the marks are Holland who in the first minute benefit from an awful backpass from Igor Shitov (I'll let you make the jokes) allowing Memphis Depay to slot home.

19:56
England U21 0-0 Poland U21

Bright start from England's youngsters at Ashton Gate too. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has a touch of the 'Batshuayis' about him as he is released in on goal though as his low finish across the target is saved by on the onrushing goalkeeper.

19:51
Belgium 0-0 Russia

Early chance for Belgium but despite Michy Batshuayi getting in behind the Russia defence, he is unable to poke past the Russia stopper.

19:48
KICK-OFF: Away we go in the matches across Europe

Just to confirm that Cyprus did defeat San Marino 5-0 earlier - so Scotland at least are no longer bottom of their group!

19:42
Finally, reasons to be cheerful for Oranje?

It seems unthinkable for Holland to miss one major tournament - let alone two! So having not featured on the big stage since reaching the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup, is their recovery on the way? They come into the qualifers off the back of an excellent Nations League campaign.

Holland captain Virgil van Dijk leads his side through the warm-up at De Kuip
Holland will hope to reach a first European Championship since 2012 after missing out in France
Holland fans in the stands cheer on their side before the game in Rotterdam
19:36
With tougher matches to come this is a huge night for Northern Ireland

They will likely need to win their first two games with tests against Germany and Holland dominating their group agenda later in the year, so good to see Kyle Lafferty has his shooting boots on... for the warm up at least.

19:31
And here are the teams from the four other Euro 2020 matches

Slovakia v Hungary
Slovakia: Dubravka, Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko, Kucka, Lobotka, Hamsik, Duda, Rusnak, Mak. Subs: Kozacik, Stetina, Satka, Gregus, Mihalik, Stoch, Bero, Hrosovsky, Siplak, Safranko, Duris, Rodak.
Hungary: Gulacsi, Orban, Lang, Kadar, Korhut, Lovrencsics, Adam Nagy, Kalmar, Kleinheisler, Kovacs, Szalai.
Subs: Dibusz, Vinicius, Dzsudzsak, Holman, Patkai, Varga, Dominik Nagy, Balogh, Szoboszlai, Bese, Holender, Kovacsik.
Referee: Vladislav Bezborodov (Russia)

Israel v Slovenia
Israel: Harush, Dasa, Taha, Yeini, Ben Haroush, Tawatha, Kayal, Peretz, Natcho, Zahavi, Dabbur.
Subs: Marciano, Glazer, Dgani, Habashi, Almog Cohen, Hemed, Yonatan Cohen, Micha, Solomon, Saba, Bitton, Jarafi.
Slovenia: Oblak, Stojanovic, Aljaz Struna, Mevlja, Jokic, Zajc, Krhin, Kurtic, Ilicic, Sporar, Verbic.
Subs: Belec, Sorcan, Andraz Struna, Balkovec, Blazic, Zahovic, Bohar, Crnigoj, Bijol, Beric, Stankovic, Mitrovic.
Referee: Tiago Martins (Portugal)

Austria v Poland
Austria: Lindner, Lainer, Dragovic, Hinteregger, Wober, Grillitsch, Baumgartlinger, Lazaro, Sabitzer, Alaba, Arnautovic.
Subs: Strebinger, Ulmer, Posch, Ilsanker, Prodl, Zulj, Kainz, Laimer, Onisiwo, Janko, Schlager, Stankovic.
Poland: Szczesny, Kedziora, Glik, Bednarek, Bereszynski, Grosicki, Krychowiak, Klich, Zielinski, Lewandowski, Milik.
Subs: Skorupski, Pazdan, Jedrzejczyk, Cionek, Goralski, Linetty, Reca, Blaszczykowski, Kadzior, Frankowski, Piatek, Fabianski.
Referee: Tasos Sidiropoulos (Greece)

Macedonia v Latvia
Macedonia: Dimitrievski, Ristovski, Musliu, Velkoski, Alioski, Trajkovski, Bardhi, Nikolov, Hasani, Nestorovski, Pandev.
Subs: Iliev, Tosevski, Bejtulai, Ristevski, Zajkov, Churlinov, Markoski, Velkovski, Elmas, Siskovski.
Latvia: Vanins, Gabovs, Dubra, Oss, Maksimenko, Tarasovs, Isajevs, Ciganiks, Rakels, Karasausks, Sabala. Subs: Ikstens, Kurakins, Rugins, Laizans, Ikaunieks, Zulevs, Savalnieks, Jagodinskis, Uldrikis, Cernomordijs, Tobers, Steinbors.
Referee: Halis Ozkahya (Turkey)

Robert Lewandowski starts for Poland in Austria as he warms up before the game
19:25
Here are the full line-ups from the Maksimir

Croatia: Kalinic, Brekalo, Caleta-Car, Vida, Barisic, Modric, Kovacic, Rakitic, Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic.
Subs: Livakovic, Bartolec, Brozovic, Vlasic, Bradaric, Pasalic, Milic, Rog, Rebic, Badelj, Leovac, Sluga.

Azerbaijan: Agayev, Medvedev, Mammadov, Huseynov, Rahimov, Garayev, Madatov, Eddy, Richard, Nazarov, Sheydayev.
Subs: Balayev, Abdullayev, Makhmudov, Aleskerov, Buludov, Dadasov, Krivotsyuk, Babayev, Khalilzadze, Abbasov, Mahammadaliyev.

Referee: Georgi Kabakov (Bulgaria)

Floodlights shine on the Maksimir pitch in Zagreb before Croatia take on Azerbaijan
19:22
Here are the full line-ups from the King Baudouin Stadium

Belgium: Courtois, Alderweireld, Boyata, Vertonghen, Castagne, Tielemans, Dendoncker, Thorgan Hazard, Mertens, Batshuayi, Eden Hazard.
Subs: Mignolet, Vermaelen, Denayer, Vanaken, Benteke, Carrasco, Mechele, Origi, Januzaj, Praet, Chadli, Casteels.

Russia: Marinato, Fernandes, Nababkin, Dzhikija, Kudryashov, Zhirkov, Akhmetov, Golovin, Kuzyaev, Cheryshev, Dzyuba.
Subs: Lunev, Belyaev, Semenov, Gazinsky, Smolov, Chalov, Anton Miranchuk, Aleksey Miranchuk, Ignatiev, Ozdoev, Schennikov, Shunin.

Referee: Ovidiu Alin Hategan (Romania)

19:20
Here are the full line-ups from De Kuip in Rotterdam

Holland: Cillessen, Dumfries, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Blind, Wijnaldum, De Roon, De Jong, Bergwijn, Depay, Babel.
Subs: Zoet, Tete, Ake, Propper, Promes, Van Aanholt, Berghuis, Strootman, Vilhena, De Jong, Van de Beek, Bizot.

Belarus: Gorbunov, Shitov, Martynovich, Sivakov, Polyakov, Kovalev, Maewski, Dragun, Stasevich, Putsila, Signevich.
Subs: Chichkan, Rios, Savitskiy, Laptev, Hleb, Saroka, Kislyak, Valadzko, Kendysh, Volkov, Nekhaychik, Klimovich.

Referee: Davide Massa (Italy)

19:17
Northern Ireland without Corry Evans for Euro 2020 qualifier

Northern Ireland are without the injured Corry Evans for their opening Euro 2020 qualifier as the  Blackburn midfielder has been struggling with a hamstring injury.

Rangers defender Gareth McAuley, who has a similar complaint, is also absent from the match squad. Gavin Whyte also misses out with a thigh problem.

Paddy McNair replaces Evans in a three-man midfield, while Kyle Lafferty is handed his first start since September and Bailey Peacock-Farrell returns in goal.

19:15
Here are the full line-ups from Windsor Park

Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell, Dallas, Cathcart, Jonny Evans, Lewis, McNair, Davis, Saville, McGinn, Lafferty, Jones.
Subs: McGovern, McLaughlin, Flanagan, Boyce, Ferguson, Thompson, Ballard, Hughes, Washington, Magennis, Smyth, Hazard.

Estonia: Lepmets, Baranov, Tamm, Vihmann, Pikk, Kait, Dmitrijev, Mets, Ojamaa, Teniste, Anier.
Subs: Aksalu, Kams, Kruglov, Lepistu, Kuusk, Liivak, Zenjov, Vassiljev, Sappinen, Roosnupp, Kallaste, Meerits.

Referee: Ivan Bebek (Croatia)

Fans begin to arrive at Windsor Park ahead of Northern Ireland's clash against Estonia
19:07
From Sportsmail's Dominic King at Ashton Gate

'No Aaron Wan-Bissaka in England U21s matchday 22-man squad; suggests he will be getting a call to take Trent Alexander-Arnold's place on the trip to Montenegro this weekend.'

19:04
England's Under 21 stars will be playing at Bristol City's Ashton Gate
England players look on before they take on Poland at Ashton Gate in an Under 21 friendly
England shirts hang inside the home dressing room at Bristol City's ground
19:01
England Under 21 starting XI

Gunn, Kenny, Dasilva, Dowell, Tomori, Kelly, Lookman, Maddison, Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Nelson.

18:45
Belgium starting XI
18:41
Holland starting XI
18:37
Here are all of the matches taking place from 7.45pm - unless stated

EURO 2020 QUALIFIERS

Group C
Northern Ireland vs Estonia
Holland vs Belarus

Group E
Slovakia vs Hungary
Croatia vs Azerbaijan

Group G
Israel vs Slovenia
Macedonia vs Latvia
Austria vs Poland

Group I
Cyprus 5-0 San Marino (79 mins played)
Belgium vs Russia
Kazakhstan 3-0 Scotland (R)

UNDER 21 FRIENDLY
England vs Poland 

Northern Ireland's Kyle Lafferty and team-mates inspect the Windsor Park pitch before the game
18:29

We already have one result today, and it's a pretty catastrophic one as far as Scotland are concerned after they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 in Kazakhstan.

In a group where only two teams can qualify and they also have to face Belgium and Russia they are already facing a mountain to climb.

The only good news for Alex McLeish's side is a good Nations League campaign has already ensured them of at least a play-off place in an attempt to reach their first major tournament in 22 years.

Here is the match report from Astana... or as it is now known from today, Nursultan.

18:21
And the Euro 2020 qualifiers have started with a bang!

International break? Pack that in. The action is already coming thick and fast in the Euro 2020 qualifiers and we have more coming up tonight in the form of eight matches.

If that is not enough, England's Under 21s also feature as they take on Poland - so plenty to get through as I welcome you to our coverage of all the drama.

The campaign to reach Euro 2020 is well underway and the evening sees a host of nations begin their campaign towards qualifying for next summer's finals.

Holland will be attempting to qualify for their first major tournament since the 2014 World Cup and get their qualifying campaign underway when they host Belarus in Rotterdam among an evening featuring eight matches kicking off at 7.45pm.

Also in action are the England Under 21s as they face Poland in a friendly at Ashton Gate as part of their preparation for this summer's European Championship. Follow all the action here as it happens.


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