Belgium and Italy join France and Spain in Nations League finals

Belgium and Italy will join France and Spain in next year’s Nations League finals after securing top spot in their respective groups on Wednesday.

Manchester City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne scored late on as Belgium beat Denmark 4-2 to clinch first place in Group A2.

Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans gave the world’s top-ranked side a third-minute lead but Jonas Wind levelled after 17 minutes.

Romelu Lukaku scored a second-half brace and, after Thibaut Courtois’ late own goal, De Bruyne struck to make sure of the victory.

Italy topped Group A1 with a 2-0 win at Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Andrea Belotti and Domenico Berardi were on the scoresheet as the Azzurri maintained their unbeaten record.

Holland were hoping to pounce on any slip from the Italians but last year’s finalists had to settle for second place in the group despite Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum scoring in a 2-1 victory in Poland.

Elsewhere in the top tier, Phil Foden scored twice after goals from Declan Rice and Mason Mount as England beat 10-man Iceland 4-0.

Wales secured promotion to League A with a 3-1 win over 10-man Finland in Cardiff.

Harry Wilson, Daniel James and Kieffer Moore were on target as Wales moved up a level and virtually guaranteed themselves a 2022 World Cup play-off spot into the bargain.

Teemu Pukki had halved the deficit to set up an anxious half-hour, but Moore’s header six minutes from time eased Welsh nerves.

The other game in Group B4 saw the Republic of Ireland avoid relegation with a goalless home draw against Bulgaria, who dropped to the third tier.

Austria’s 1-1 draw with Norway was enough to see them win promotion to the top tier, while Northern Ireland, whose relegation from Group B1 was confirmed before kick-off after after Romania had been awarded three points for their cancelled match against Norway on Sunday, drew 1-1 with Romania.

Hungary and Czech Republic will also play at Group A level next time following their respective 2-0 home victories against Turkey and Slovakia.

Scotland could have topped the group ahead of the Czech’s if they won in Israel, but they lost 1-0.

Albania won Group C4 with a 3-2 success over Belarus while Kazakhstan were relegated after losing 2-1 at home to Lithuania.

Armenia topped Group C2 after beating nearest rivals North Macedonia 1-0 while Georgia and Estonia drew 0-0, and Greece against Slovenia also finished goalless.

Kosovo were 1-0 winners against Moldova and Serbia won 5-0 against Russia.