Spain and Switzerland stay perfect in qualifying

Group 2
Spain continued their dominance of the section with a 12-0 defeat of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Ignacio Quereda's side maintained their perfect record in comprehensive fashion, with Natalia the star in Logrono, scoring five goals off the bench. Captain Verónica Boquete also chipped in with a hat-trick, while Sonia Bermúdez struck twice and Vicky Losada and Jennifer Hermoso scored a goal apiece.

Second-placed Italy cruised to a 6-1 win against the Czech Republic in Novara. Two goals from Melania Gabbiadini had put the hosts in a commanding position, before Petra Divišová reduced the arrears on the cusp of half-time. Antonio Cabrini's side wrested back the initiative after the interval, though, with Raffaella Manieri, Barbara Bonansea, Giulia Domenichetti and Patrizia Panico completing the rout.

Group 3
Switzerland are firmly in command of the section following a 5-0 away victory over nearest rivals Israel. Fabienne Humm hit a first-half hat-trick in Petah Tikva, then Lara Dickenmann's penalty made it 4-0 by the break. Ana Maria Crnogorčević struck at the death to round off the scoring for Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's team. Meanwhile, Serbia recorded their first Group 3 success in windy Malta. Jovana Damnjanović and Jelena Čubrilo were on target before half-time, then Jelena Čanković capped an excellent performance with a last-minute goal.

Group 5
Norway maintained their 100% start in Greece, with Elise Thorsnes netting twice in a 5-0 triumph; Maren Mjelde had missed a 41st-minute penalty, but Kristine Minde gave the visitors a deserved lead four minutes later. Belgium are second following a 1-1 draw with neighbours the Netherlands in Zwolle. Vivianne Miedema fired the hosts in front soon after the restart, yet two quick substitutions rallied Belgium and captain Aline Zeler replied on 76 minutes. They might even have won the game after Dutch forward Lieke Martens was sent off late on. Portugal, meanwhile, did their goal difference no harm, towering striker Carolina Mendes scoring three in a 7-1 home quelling of Albania.

Group 6
Ukraine notched their second victory in as many pool games, Tetyana Romanenko getting the only goal of their encounter with Turkey in Adana, finishing the loose ball after Olha Boychenko's shot was saved by Fatma Şahin. The home side put in an enormous effort as they battled for an equaliser, but the fast-moving match was destined to finish 1-0.

The seven group winners qualify and the four runners-up with the best records against the sides finishing first, third, fourth and fifth in their groups go into the play-offs next autumn for the one remaining UEFA berth in Canada. Europe were given eight places in the expanded 24-team finals.