GENEVA (AP) - Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are going to the World Cup and not by the risky playoff route this time.
France also sealed its ticket to Russia on Tuesday after, like Portugal, needing a second chance in the playoffs to reach the 2010 and 2014 tournaments.
Group A
France will take one of the most talent-packed squads to Russia.
Antoine Griezmann scored and then created France's second goal just six minutes later, with Olivier Giroud giving the hosts a comfortable lead after 33 minutes. Just before halftime, Anton Saroka scored for Belarus to make for a tense second half.