Griezmann sends France to 2018 World Cup, Robben retires as Netherlands fail to qualify

macfranc007 October 11, 2017 IFTTT, Latest Sport News | Today on Naij.com Akinshilo Ayomide

- Griezmann and Olivier Giroud scored as France secured a 2 - 0 win to qualify for the 2018 World Cup

- Les Blues will now take part in their sixth consecutive World Cup finals next year

- Arjen Robben retired after Netherlands failed to qualify for a tournament despite a 2 - 0 win over Sweden

- Sweden, Italy, Croatia, Denmark, Sweden, Greece are all in the play-offs for UEFA teams

Euro 2016 finalists France have qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup while Netherlands failure to score seven against Sweden sees them fail to reach next year's event.

Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann scored one and set up Olivier Giroud for the other as France booked their place at next year’s World Cup finals by beating Belarus 2-1 at the Stade de France in their final Group A qualifying game.

Giroud, Griezmann help France qualify for 2018 FIFA World Cup

Griezmann celebrates his goal for France. Photo: Squawka

The 26-year-old opened the scoring and then set up Giroud before the break while Belarus reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time through Anton Saroka.

Les Blues will now take part in their sixth consecutive World Cup finals after securing on 23 points after 10 games, four ahead of second-placed Sweden.

Elsewhere, Arjen Robben announced his international retirement as Holland failed to qualify for next year's event.

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The Oranje fell short of the seven-goal margin required to replace their opponents in the play-offs despite a 2 - 0 win.

Robben scored the two goals in the game and thereafter announced his retirement.

Uefa qualified teams

Russia (hosts), Belgium, Germany, England, Spain, Poland, Serbia, Iceland, France, Portugal

Play-offs

Seeded: Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Denmark

Unseeded: Northern Ireland, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Greece

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