A transfer didn’t happen for Mahrez and, with the winger unable to get to Zambia in time, Saturday’s qualifier didn’t go to plan for Algeria. I told the players and my family that this will be the end. Mexico clinched one of the three berths from North and Central America and the Caribbean on Friday night, and Costa Rica is close to securing another. Ireland coach Martin O’Neill had warned about “some exceptionally good talent” in Georgia’s team and the draw appeared to prove him right. The result left Spain in control of Group G with 19 points, three more than Italy, with three games left in European qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Burkina Faso still leads Group D and holds the qualifying place but just one point separates the top three teams. I will call experienced players in the team to give inputs in our practice sessions, match preparation and game style. from Max Gradel and two from Seydou Doumbia taking Ivory Coast back to the top of Group C ahead of Morocco. Austria appears to be out of realistic contention for a top-two finish. Despite trailing leaders Croatia and Iceland by two points before the match on Saturday, Ukraine tops the group after Finland beat Iceland 1-0.