By Toby Prince
Santi Cazorla and Paco Alcacer scored two goals each to help Spain beat Luxembourg 4-0 on Friday and secure a spot for the holders in next year’s European Championship.
Cazorla scored in the 42nd and 85th minutes, while Alcacer netted in the 67th and 80th to give the defending champions 24 points in Group C, five more than Slovakia and Ukraine. Slovakia lost 1-0 at home to Belarus, while Ukraine defeated Macedonia 2-0.
In the final round, Ukraine hosts Spain, which will be looking for a third consecutive European title in France next year, and Slovakia plays at Luxembourg.
The top two teams from the nine groups qualify automatically.
The best third-placed team also advances, while the other eight meet in a playoff.
Already qualified England brushed off Estonia 2-0 at Wembley.
Goals from Theo Walcott and Raheem Sterling secured a ninth Group E win for Roy Hodgson’s team and left the visitors needing a miracle.
Austria ended the hopes of Montenegro with a 3-2 victory on the road.
The visitors twice fell behind but ultimately recorded their eighth straight Group G win to end the hosts’ hopes of qualifying for the finals.
