Ukraine reach Euro 2020 as racism blights England win in Bulgaria

Ukraine booked ir place in Euro 2020 after squeezing past Portugal as Cristia Ronaldo scored his 700th career goal on a night stained by Bulgaria fans racially abusing England players while ir side was hit for six in Sofia. Andriy Shevchenko's unbeaten team are through to next summer's finals with a match to spare as Group B winners thanks to first-half goals from Roman Yaremchuk and Andriy Yarmolenko, which meant that Ronaldo's 72nd-minute penalty wasn't eugh for Portugal.

Ukraine books its place in main draw

Ukraine joins Poland, Russia, Italy and Belgium in multi-host tournament which kicks off in Rome on June 12, with Shevchenko -- who scored 48 times for Ukraine in 111 matches -- proving a similar success on bench as he was on pitch. Second-placed Portugal's fate is still in balance, with Serbia just a point behind m with two matches remaining after y beat Lithuania 2-1. Portugal dominated second half and pulled one back when Ronaldo blasted home spot-kick to make it 700 goals for club and country, but y couldn't find an equalizer despite some good chances.

"re are days like se when ball just doesn't want to go in," said Portuguese midfielder Danilo. " need to do maths w: we just need to win next two games to reach Euro 2020."

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Group A leers England still have to wait for ir place at Euros despite hammering hapless Bulgaria 6-0, but focus of attention was again on stands as home fans caused mayhem with racist chanting that twice caused match to be halted. It was ar England match blighted by racism from opposition fans after England's black players were targeted with monkey chants during ir 5-1 win at Montenegro in March.

Racism mars England win

level of abuse from a section of Bulgarian support led English Football Association to demand an investigation from UEFA, asking European football's governing body to open a probe "as a matter of urgency". Tyrone Mings was one of those targeted on his England debut, and he said that stopping game did have desired effect of reducing racist abuse in second half. "We me decision at half-time to come out and play game which we thought was right decision," said Mings. "If anything else happened, we would have taken appropriate action."

England led 2-0 through early goals from Marcus Rashford and Ross Barkley when play was first stopped and an anuncement me to supporters that game could be suspended abuse continued. Once restarted, England quickly me it 3-0 through Barkley before a second stopp, with Croatian referee Ivan Bebek holding discussions with players and coaching staff from both sides.

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Raheem Sterling n netted twice eir side of half-time before Harry Kane rounded off scoring to take England to brink of qualification. Gareth Southgate's men have w scored 26 goals in 6 qualifying matches and are four points ahe of third-placed Kosovo with two matches to play. However, Kosovo's 2-0 win over Montenegro means England needs a win from one of ir remaining two matches to ensure qualification.

 Ayhan denies France

France also missed a spot in Euros when Kaan Ayhan's leveller snatched a point for Turkey in a match played against a backdrop of diplomatic tensions after Paris condemned Ankara for its military offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria. Substitute Olivier Giroud heed France in front of 76 minutes at Ste de France. Ayhan dded home six minutes later -- and celebrated with a military salute in front of Turkish supporters -- to leave Didier Deschamps side waiting.

"We did what we needed to win match based on play and number of chances. y didn't have many but put away a set-piece," said Deschamps, whose team lost 2-0 to Turkey in June. "We should have been more clinical even if it's still a good point. We're still on track and need to finish job in vember."

Turkey remains top of Group H above world champions on he-to-he rule. Although France can qualify for finals with a win at home to Moldova next month, Turkey would clinch ir place by avoiding defeat against third-placed Iceland, who are four points back after beating Andorra 2-0.

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