Euro 2016 Qualifying Results: Saturday's Scores, Group Tables, Upcoming Fixtures
England became the first team to qualify for Euro 2016 after thrashing San Marino 6-0 away from home. The win sees the Three Lions pass into the finals with three games to spare.
It was a historic night for captain Wayne Rooney as he equalled England's all-time goalscoring record, level with the great Sir Bobby Charlton on 49 goals.
The skipper was applauded off the pitch by both home and away fans as he was replaced shortly before the hour mark.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Spain took control of Group C after a splendid 2-0 victory against Slovakia. However, a 3-1 win for Ukraine means they reside on the heels of both countries in the final games of qualification.
Here are all of Saturday's scores, including the relevant group tables, and Sunday's fixtures:
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | Luxembourg vs. Macedonia | 1-0 |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | Ukraine vs. Belarus | 3-1 |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | Russia vs. Sweden | 1-0 |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | Estonia vs. Lithuania | 1-0 |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | San Marino vs. England | 0-6 |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | Switzerland vs. Slovenia | 3-2 |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | Austria vs. Moldova | 1-0 |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | Montenegro vs. Liechtenstein | 2-0 |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | Spain vs. Slovakia | 2-0 |
| 1 | Spain | 18 | England | 21 | Austria | 19 |
| 2 | Slovakia | 18 | Switzerland | 15 | Sweden | 12 |
| 3 | Ukraine | 15 | Estonia | 10 | Russia | 11 |
| 4 | Belarus | 4 | Slovenia | 9 | Montenegro | 8 |
| 5 | Luxembourg | 4 | Lithuania | 6 | Liechtenstein | 5 |
| 6 | Macedonia | 3 | San Marino | 1 | Moldova | 2 |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | 5 p.m./12 p.m. | Wales v Israel |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | 5 p.m./12 p.m. | Latvia v Czech Republic |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | 5 p.m./12 p.m. | Turkey v Netherlands |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | 5 p.m./12 p.m. | Malta v Azerbaijan |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | 5 p.m./12 p.m. | Norway v Croatia |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Iceland v Kazakhstan |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Bosnia-Herzegovina v Andorra |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Cyprus v Belgium |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Italy v Bulgaria |
Saturday Recap
If there could ever be a lacklustre 6-0 win in top-level football, England's victory in San Marino was certainly it. The Three Lions didn't have to get out of second gear to claim the huge scoreline, as the hosts laboured at their feet in submission.
Rooney opened the scoreline in the opening stages of the match, converting a disputed penalty—which perplexed even the players involved. It was a very harsh award, but the captain took his opportunity to write his name in the history books and grab his 49th England strike.
A second was added by the head of Cristian Brolli—who scored an own-goal—denying Rooney a touch for the all-time record.
England had trouble with the ragged Serravalle pitch, and the game turned into a drab affair as San Marino sat back and allowed their opponents space and time.
England added their third just 15 seconds after the restart from half-time, with Ross Barkley heading home a quality Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cross.
Further goals from subs Harry Kane and Theo Walcott (2) ended the night in a goal frenzy, but the game was an incredibly poor spectacle. However, all that Roy Hodgson wanted was the points to guarantee qualification—and he got them with ease.
Match of the Day's Gary Lineker tipped his hat toward Rooney, who overtook him in the all-time standings:
Switzerland continued to apply a small amount of pressure to England as potential group winners after beating Slovenia 3-2. Estonia also harbour a slim chance of qualifying after a 1-0 win at home to Lithuania.
Spain leapfrogged Slovakia into the top spot in Group C after a convincing 2-0 win at home. Goals from Jordi Alba and Andres Iniesta ensured the points where Spain's, and they now go ahead of the Slovaks on goal difference, both level on 18 points.
The night marked a wonderful performance by playmaker David Silva, who controlled the game with Iniesta. Journalist Jonas Giaever shared footage of the Barcelona icon's play:
Ukraine kept up the chase on the top two in Group C with a 3-1 win against Belarus. The victory means they are just three points behind Spain and Slovakia—who can ill-afford to make a mistake in the final matches.
Austria kept a grip on the summit of Group G after a slim 1-0 win over minnows Moldova. However, it was a bad night for second-place Sweden, who saw Russia close the gap on them to one point after defeat by a solitary goal.
Austria lead the group by seven points and stand on the edge of qualification.
It was a great night for England and Spain, with the Three Lions crossing the qualification line before any other team.
Rooney will feel the weight has been taken off his shoulders after equalling Charlton's record, and he is likely to claim the unanimous top spot when his side face Switzerland on Tuesday.
Spain still have work to do to guarantee qualification, but they played a composed game of football against a strong Slovakian outfit. Silva is now truly a world-class talent, and his brilliance can be the difference for his country in the last qualification battles.
