Chennai
Having already booked its berth at next year’s 24-nation tournament, France finished top of the group on 25 points from 10 games, two ahead of second-placed Turkey, which cruised to a 2-0 win in Andorra. Albania, which had no chance of breaking into the top two, looked subdued in front of a passionate home crowd. Tolisso fired the French into an 8th-minute lead when he headed home superbly after Griezmann swung in an inviting free-kick from the left.
The Barcelona forward netted the second in the 31st minute when he turned in a sharp low cross by Leo Dubois as the gulf between the two sides was everywhere to be seen. France continued to press after the break and Olivier Giroud missed three chances to extend its lead. The striker was twice denied by goalkeeper Etrit Berisha before hitting the post with a fierce shot from inside the penalty area.
Turkey, which also sealed qualification with a match to spare, breezed past Andorra, thanks to a first half brace from striker Enes Unal. In the group’s other fixture, Iceland eked out a 2-1 success in Moldova. Although the Nordic nation failed to progress from the group, it will have another chance via the play-offs in March.
England secured a place among the top six seeds for next year’s Championship after three late goals helped it to a 4-0 triumph in Kosovo in its final qualifier.
England, already assured of a place at the Finals, finished top of Group A with 21 points from eight games, its only blip being last month’s 1-2 defeat in the Czech Republic, which qualified as runner-up. Kosovo finished third with 11 points. Its chances of automatic qualification disappeared after a 1-2 defeat by the Czechs on Thursday but it could advance through the play-offs.
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android