WALES reached the finals of an international tournament for the first time since the 1958 World Cup on Saturday when it qualified for Euro 2016 despite a 2-0 loss to Bosnia.

    Wales secured its place when Israel lost 2-1 at home to Cyprus.

    Belgium also went through from the same Group B thanks to a 4-1 victory over Andorra.

    Earlier, Italy also made sure of a place in the finals in France next summer with a 3-1 win in Azerbaijan.

    The Welsh, Belgium and Italy join already qualified Austria, the Czech Republic, England, France, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland in the 24-team finals.

    Bosnia went in front after 71 minutes in Zenica when Miralem Pjanic delivered a long free-kick into the area and substitute Milan Djuric sent a looping header over goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

    Vedad Ibisevic added a second in the dying moments as Bosnia kept its play-off hopes alive.

    But it didn’t matter for a buoyant Wales as Cyprus stunned Israel 2-1 in Jerusalem thanks to an 80th-minute drive from Jason Demetriou.

    Belgium inflicted Andorra’s 49th defeat in Euro qualifying, making light of a rain-soaked, plastic pitch to record a 4-1 victory and a fifth European qualification.

    In Group A, 2014 World Cup semifinalist the Netherlands remains on a knife-edge as far as its hopes are concerned.

    The team enjoyed a 2-1 win in Kazakhstan but Turkey, its rival for a play-off spot, then stunned the Czech Republic 2-0 to preserve a two-point lead.

    Iceland and the Czechs had already secured Group A qualification. A point will be enough for Turkey following a draw and its home win in head-to-head encounters with the Netherlands.

    (SD-Agencies)