Paris (AFP)

Turkey were hooked at home by Latvia (3-3) while Belgium and the Netherlands had fun against Belarus (8-0) and Gibraltar (7-0) on Tuesday during a third day of qualifying for the World Cup-2022 also marked by the defeat of Russia in Slovakia (2-1).

Montenegro, who had two victories like Turkey in Group G, lost 1-0 at home to Erling Haaland's Norway - who did not score - who performed an excellent accounting operation.

In this group, in fact, Turkey remains in the lead but is now closely followed by the Netherlands, Montenegro and Norway.

In Istanbul, the selection of Senol Gunes, victorious over the Netherlands (3-2) and Norway (3-0), suffered a setback against a very attractive team from Latvia who had however lost their first two matches.

The Turks have always led in the score with goals from Karaman (2nd), Calhanoglu (33rd) and Yilmaz from the penalty spot (53rd), but the Latvians came back three times thanks to Savalnieks (35th), Uldrikis (58th) and Ikaunieks ( 79th).

In Heverlee, the Belgium of Spanish coach Roberto Martinez had a great time at the expense of Belarus, with a flood of goals from Bastshuayi (14th), Vanaken (17th, 89th), Trossard (38th, 76th), Doku (42nd), Praet (49th), Benteke (70th).

The Red Devils alone take first place with three points ahead of the Czech Republic, beaten 1-0 in Wales on a goal headed by Daniel James, receiving a cross from Gareth Bale (82nd) .

Two players were excluded during this meeting, the Czech Patrik Schick (49th) for a collision with Connor Roberts, who in turn was released for two yellow cards in the 77th minute.

Wales and Belarus are one point behind the Czech Republic.

- Croatia passes Russia -

In Gibraltar, after a difficult start, the Netherlands unfolded with seven goals from Berghuis (42nd), Luuk de Jong (55th), Depay (61st, 88th), Wijnaldum (62nd), Malen (64th) and van de Beek (85th).

In Group H the surprise came from the defeat of Russia in Slovakia 2-1.

Skriniar (38th) and Mak (74th) scored for the Slovaks, Mario Fernandes having reduced the score for the Russians, who suddenly lost the lead of their group to Croatia, who easily beat Malta at home (3- 0).

Russia, which will host Croatia in September, is now even under threat from Slovakia, which follows at a length.

In Group A, Portugal won 3-1 over the surprising Luxembourg, which had won in Ireland (1-0) on the previous day.

Gerson Rodrigues, already a scorer in Dublin, opened the scoring for the Grand Duchy team, but the Portuguese turned the tide with Diogo Jota (45 + 2), Cristiano Ronaldo (51st, his 103rd goal for the national team) and Joao Palhinha (80th).

Portugal are in the lead but tied on points with Serbia who won 2-1 early in the afternoon in Azerbaijan, with a double from Aleksandar Mitrovic, at the top of the scorers standings (5) ahead of Burak Yilmaz (4).

© 2021 AFP