Croatia take Euro qualification spot at Wales' expense
Wales missed out on automatic qualification for Euro 2024 as Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Turkey condemned them to the play-offs after Croatia clinched a place in Germany with their 1-0 win against Armenia. Rob Page's side needed to beat Turkey along with Croatia dropping points at home to Armenia if they were to reach next year's tournament via a top-two finish in Group D. Turkey, who were already assured of qualification, finished top of Group D, with Croatia in second place and Wales four points behind them in third. Wales have to regroup in time to face Finland, Ukraine or Iceland in the play-off semi-finals in Cardiff on March 21. A UEFA draw on Thursday will decide which of the three nations Wales will face. France missed out on finishing with a perfect record in Group B as they drew 2-2 with Greece in Athens, with Kylian Mbappe rested from the starting line-up. Greece, the 2004 Euro winners, do not qualify automatically but can still come through the play-offs. The Netherlands had already qualified from the same group before their 6-0 win over minnows Gibraltar in Faro, Portugal. Romania and Switzerland had already qualified from Group I prior to their clash in Bucharest, which the hosts won 1-0 thanks to Denis Alibec's second-half goal. Israel, who will be in the play-offs, won 2-0 in Andorra in the same group, while Belarus beat Kosovo 1-0. The final draw for Euro 2024 will take place in Hamburg on December 2. (AFP)