Jeremy Doku’s Belgium and Bernardo and Ruben Dias’ Portugal have both guaranteed a passage to Germany next summer after victories over Austria and Slovakia respectively.
In effect, it is four City players definitely heading for the tournament with Kevin De Bruyne likely to spearhead his nation;s quest for glory once he returns from injury.
Nathan Ake’s Netherlands were beaten by a Kylian Mbappe double in a 2-1 defeat to France, while four Blues featured in England’s friendly win over Australia.
Here’s how all the games panned out…
Austria 2-3 Belgium
Jeremy Doku shone for Belgium, who beat Austria 3-2 in their top-of-the-table qualifier in Vienna to book their place at Euro 2024.
The Red Devils were ahead as early as the 12th minute as Sevilla’s Dodi Lukebakio scored from Timothy Castagne’s assist – a lead they held until the break.
Doku was a constant threat on the flanks, winning a number of free-kicks in the attacking third as the Austrians attempted to contain him.
Lukebakio doubled Belgium’s lead on 55 minutes and Doku then set up Romelu Lukaku who made it 3-0 three minutes later.
That proved a pivotal goal, with Austria pulling late goals back through Konrad Laimer (72) and Marcel Sabitzer (84) to set up a thrilling final few minutes.
Portugal 3-2 Slovakia
Portugal booked their place at next summer’s European Championships in Germany with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Slovakia.
With Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva in their starting XI, the Portuguese were 2-0 up inside 27 minutes in Porto.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Gonçalo Ramos opened the scoring on 10 minutes, with Cristiano Ronaldo doubling the advantage from the penalty spot on 27.
Bernardo was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions in a sparkling first 45 minutes from the City playmaker, while Dias was rarely troubled by the Slovakian attack in the opening period.
Hancko pulled one back for the visitors on 69 before Ronaldo restored Portugal’s two-goal advantage three minutes later with the 38-year-old scoring his 125th goal for his country.
Bernardo was replaced on 85 minutes and Lobotka scored again for Slovakia in a thrilling finish to the game, but the hosts held on to record their seventh win from seven games in Group J.
Netherlands 1-2 France
Nathan Ake won his 41st cap for Netherlands who hosted France in a crucial Group B clash.
France took the lead through Kylian Mbappe with only seven minutes on the clock in Amsterdam with an excellent volley from Jonathan Clauss’ fine cross.
Mbappe doubled Les Bleus lead on 52 minutes with a superb curling shot, and Ake’s evening ended when he was replaced on 79 minutes.
Though Quilindschy Hartman pulled one back for the hosts, it was too little, too late.
As a result of the win the French have now qualified for Euro 2024.
The Dutch are currently third in Group B, three points behind Greece with a game in hand - and with work to do.
England 1-0 Australia
Jack Grealish was the only City player named in England’s starting XI for the friendly against Australia.
John Stones, Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips, and Phil Foden all started on the bench for Gareth Southgate’s men.
At a sell-out Wembley, Grealish was at his impish best on the left flank in a first 45 where both sides should have scored at least one goal.
England finally broke the deadlock on 57 minutes and Grealish played a huge part in the goal, collecting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross into the box before firing a low shot towards the bottom right corner where Ollie Watkins slid the ball into the back of the net.
That was Grealish’s last meaningful act as he was replaced just past the hour, with Phillips and Stones coming on the for the last half-hour.
Phi Foden entered the fray on 73 minutes, replacing James Maddison, but a scrappy game ended without further incident.
Elsewhere, EDS defender Tomas Galvez played for Finland Under-21s as they beat Group E leaders Albania 4-1 in a Euro Under-21 qualifier.
The 18-year-old left-back already has a senior cap for the Finns and was making his fifth appearance for the U21s.
