Croatia and the Netherlands set themselves up for the World Cup with victories that sealed tickets to the European Nations League finals next year.
Thanks to a goal from Luka Modric, Croatia won Group 1 by beating Austria 3-1 on the road, which was relegated to the second division of the tournament. The undefeated Dutch defeated Belgium 1-0 at home to top Group 4 with 16 points, six more than their escort Belgium.
France, reigning world and Nations League champions, succumbed 2-0 in Denmark but avoided relegation thanks to a defeat by Austria.
It was the last round of matches for the teams qualified for the World Cup before the prelude to the tournament in Qatar, which will be inaugurated on November 20. The Dutch are in Group A along with Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal.
The French and the Danes will meet again in Qatar in a bracket completed by Tunisia and Australia.
It could be the last national team tournament for Modric. The 37-year-old midfielder is at an excellent level. The Croats took the lead after six minutes in Vienna when their veteran captain appeared alone inside the area and finished with a saber.
Austria equalized three minutes later through a header from midfielder Christoph Baumgartner, but goals from striker Marko Livaja and central defender Dejan Lovren sealed victory for Croatia, who were drawn into a group that includes Belgium, Canada and Morocco at the World Cup.
Denmark finished second with 12 points, one behind Croatia, after beating a decimated France 2-0 at home.
Striker Kasper Dolberg put the Danes ahead in the 34th minute and midfielder Andreas Skov Olsen made it 2-0 after the inexperienced French defense got tangled up defending a corner kick.
France improved in the second half, but their star Kylian Mbappé missed a one-on-one with goalkeeper Kaspel Schmeichel — Dolberg’s teammate at Nice in the French league.
Les Bleus were third, one point above Austria. Didier Deschamps’ team won just one of their six games and scored five goals — the fewest in the group.
The Belgians needed to win by three goals against the Netherlands and lost 1-0. Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk scored the goal with a header in the 73rd minute.
Poland beat Wales 1-0 away in the other Group 4 game. Robert Lewandowski set up strike partner Karol Swiderski early in the second half. Wales were relegated to last place.