Two teams qualified from each group plus the best third-placed side from the nine groups, but eight of the qualifying groups contained six teams while one group had only five.
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The Netherlands – Turkey’s rivals for a third-place in Group A – were beaten 2-3 by the Czech Republic to see Turkey progress to the finals.
Selcuklu (Turkey): Selcuk Inan’s superb late free kick gave Turkey a dramatic win over Iceland, meaning they can celebrate Euro 2016 football qualification as the best third-placed team.
Marek Suchy had been sent off by the time Van Persie headed into his own net, while the Fenerbahce striker netted at the right end after Klass-Jan Huntelaar launched a futile comeback in the 71st minute.
The Turks, who finished with 10 men after midfielder Gokhan Tore was shown a straight red card after 77 minutes for a shocking challenge on Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, had to wait until the 89th minute for Inan to score from 25 metres. Now they must come through the play-offs – the draw is on Sunday – next month if they are to reach a first major finals since the 1986 World Cup.
Croatia leapfrogged Norway into the automatic qualification places with a 1-0 win away to Malta.
Bosnia-Herzegovina sealed the play-off berth in Group B through a pulsating 3-2 win in Cyprus.
Nevertheless, Medunjanin made it 2-2 just before the break and Milan Djuric got the victor for the Bosnians midway through the second half.
The match – played in Konya, Turkey – will be preceded by a minute’s silence.
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Belgium, who like Wales had already secured their berth in France, were 3-1 winners over Israel thanks to goals from Dries Mertens, Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard.
