Euro 2016: Winners and Losers from November 16 Games
The latest "Super Sunday" of European Championship action continued with another exciting array of qualifiers.
Nine games wrapped up on Sunday evening, with routine victories for the likes of the Netherlands, Cyprus, Turkey and Israel.
Yes, the Israelis play in European qualifying. It's complicated.
Wales had to rely on someone other than Real Madrid's Gareth Bale as they came away with a valuable point in Brussels, Belgium.
In what had promised to be the match of the day, Italy and Croatia played out a 1-1 draw in a clash marred by fan violence.
We present the winners and losers from the final batch of European Championship qualifiers on November 16.
Winners: Arjen Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
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Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben each fired a brace as the Dutch romped to a 6-0 win in Amsterdam against Latvia.
Manchester United's Robin van Persie opened the scoring, while defender Jeffrey Bruma also got his name on the scoresheet as Guus Hiddink's side finally found some form after a run of four defeats in five games.
Losers: Croatia Fans
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Italy and Croatia did eventually play out a 1-1 draw in Milan in a game massively overshadowed by fan violence.
The game had to be halted with 15 minutes to play after visiting fans threw flares onto the pitch. It resumed 10 minutes later after fires were extinguished and order was restored.
Play was also stopped in the first half after Ivan Perisic's equaliser cancelled out Antonio Candreva's opener for the hosts. Croatian coach Niko Kovac had to appeal for calm amongst the visiting "supporters."
On a side note, both sides remain unbeaten in Group H (for Havoc?) after the eventful draw.
Winner: Wayne Hennessey
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Wayne Hennessey was the Welsh hero (and not Gareth Bale) as Chris Coleman's side battled to a priceless goalless draw against Belgium in Brussels.
Wales are aiming to qualify for a first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup and were indebted to the Crystal Palace goalkeeper for making a string of fine saves to secure a point.
Bale and company remain undefeated in second place in Group B with a backs-to-the-wall display against the World Cup quarter-finalists.
Loser: Volkan Demirel
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Turkish first-choice goalkeeper Volkan Demirel refused to play after allegedly receiving abuse from fans during the warm-up prior to his team's game in Istanbul.
The game was played in Galatasaray's stadium, and Demirel, who plays for bitter rival Fenerbahce, has some previous history with the Gala fans.
""Turkish fans" abuse their own national goalkeeper Volkan Demirel in a disgusting way! - Milli kaleci Volka... https://t.co/bomLiovCSh
— Herr Kaya (@santimaxim) November 16, 2014"
His namesake Babacan eventually replaced Demirel in goal as Turkey grabbed their first win of the campaign with a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan.
Winner: Georgios Efrem
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An international hat-trick still takes some doing, so credit to Georgios Efrem for firing in three goals as Cyprus handed Andorra a 5-0 drubbing in Nicosia.
The 25-year-old winger, once of Rangers in Scotland, was the undoubted man of the match as Cyprus leapfrogged above Belgium in Euro 2016 qualifying Group B.
"George Efrem, Cyprus midfielder on his hat-trick against Andorra: pic.twitter.com/bIBjXAcGfO
— Football 24/7 (@Foetbal247) November 16, 2014"
Loser: Petr Cech
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Another goalkeeper on a downward spiral is Chelsea reserve Petr Cech.
The 33-year-old has been starved of regular action at his club since Thibaut Courtois' return to Stamford Bridge from a loan spell at Atletico Madrid.
Cech remains first choice for his national side, but he made a right mess of a long throw that allowed Iceland to take the lead in Prague.
Mistakes such as these are a clear signal that Cech needs a move to revive his flagging career.
Despite Cech's error, the Czechs rallied to retain their 100 per cent record and comfortably top Group A after a 2-1 comeback win against previously unbeaten Iceland.
Winner: Guus Hiddink
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Guus Hiddink can rip up his resignation letter.
The Dutch coach had offered to stand down if his side failed to beat Latvia.
But Hiddink is safe for now after a resounding 6-0 win in Amsterdam that broke a run of four defeats in five games.
Loser: Daley Blind
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Daley Blind picked up an unfortunate injury in the Netherlands’ win against Latvia.
The Manchester United midfield star suffered suspected knee ligament damage in Amsterdam and could be out until the new year, just as he was finding his feet at his new club.
"Daley Blind said: "I'm so gutted with my injury I'll stay positive and come back stronger"
— Neil Custis (@ncustisTheSun) November 16, 2014"
Winners: Malta
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Malta picked up their first-ever point in Bulgaria with a shock 1-1 draw in Sofia.
Clayton Failla's penalty just after half-time was enough for the Maltese to move off the bottom of Group H ahead of Azerbaijan.
Loser: Gianluigi Buffon
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Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon was once arguably the best goalkeeper in the world.
Sadly this is no longer the case. We have evidence from the San Siro as Buffon allowed Croatia to equalise.
"And this is the mistake from Buffon that allowed Perisic to equalize for #Croatia http://t.co/WOjNf7izVj
— ForzaItalianFootball (@SerieAFFC) November 16, 2014"
Losers: Toni Sunjic and Bosnia & Herzegovina
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Toni Sunjic was sent off as Bosnia and Herzegovina slipped to a disappointing 3-0 defeat in Israel.
Sunjic was shown a straight red for a professional foul on 48 minutes as the Bosnians stay just above Andorra at the bottom of the group.
Winner: Israel
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Israel top Group B in European qualifying after a convincing 3-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Haifa. That is some feat both from a geographical and a footballing perspective.
The Israelis retain their 100 per cent record with goals from Gil Vermouth, Omer Damari and Eran Zehavi.
Interestingly, Israel played in the 1970 World Cup whilst they were members of the Asian Football Federation.
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