Amad scores cracker as Ivory Coast qualify
Amad scored a superb free-kick as Ivory Coast defeated Kenya 3-0 to clinch a place at next year's World Cup finals.
The Manchester United man, wearing no.15 and playing on the right, also had a big part in the opening goal, jinking inside to lay the ball into the path of Franck Kessie, who took a touch before rifling into the net, with only seven minutes on the clock.
RB Leipzig youngster Yan Diomande added a wonderful second, before Amad's opportunity to get in on the act arrived with six minutes remaining.
A free-kick centimetres outside of the box allowed him to sweep in a majestic left-footed strike to wrap things up in the Abidjan rain.
Ivory Coast finished Group F in the African qualifiers without conceding a goal in the 10 games, to top the standings by a point, ahead of Gabon.
Gabon move into the play-offs, where they will face Nigeria. In the other game, Cameroon, with Bryan Mbeumo and Andre Onana in their ranks, meet DR Congo, with the ties being played in Morocco next month.
The winners of the final then still have to get through an inter-confederation play-off in order to reach the summer tournament.
Noussair Mazraoui was not involved as Morocco, who have already booked their ticket for the finals, beat DR Congo 1-0 to maintain their 100 per cent record.
In Europe, Portugal remain in firm control of Group F despite being denied by an injury-time equaliser by Hungary's Dominik Szoboslzai.
Attila Szalia's eighth-minute opener was overturned by two Cristiano Ronaldo efforts before half-time, with the former Reds star making it 41 goals in World Cup qualifiers, a new overall record.
Bruno Fernandes started in midfield, picking up a yellow card before being replaced by Francisco Conceicao in the 62nd minute, but Diogo Dalot was an unused substitute. Our skipper did hit the woodwork but his booking means he will sit out the next game against Republic of Ireland through suspension.
Portugal are five points clear in the group and would have sealed qualification already, but for Szoboslzai's late intervention.
Altay Bayindir watched on from the bench as Turkey defeated Georgia 4-1 to cement their position in second behind Group E leaders Spain.