Erling Haaland made history as Cristiano Ronaldo was denied it on a drama-drenched day in Europe. The 25-year-old became only the sixth man ever to reach 50 goals in fewer than 50 caps as Norway strode towards a place at the FIFA World Cup 26™, while an outstanding Caoimhin Kelleher penalty save stopped the 40-year-old Portuguese becoming the outright leading marksman in qualifying for the global finals.
Portugal did eke out victory, however, as Italy, Spain and Turkey cruised to successes, Albania won in Serbia and Andorra stunned Latvia.
Group E
Bulgaria goal: Kirilov (13)
Türkiye goals: Guler (11), Popov OG (49), Yildiz (51 & 56), Celik (65), Kahveci (90+3)
Türkiye bounced back from their 6-0 drubbing by Spain last month to dispatch Bulgaria in style. They took the lead when Arda Guler played a give-and-go with Hakan Calhanoglu and slotted the ball underneath goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov. The home side equalised in fortuitous circumstances when Radoslav Kirilov’s effort took a massive deflection into the net.
The game transformed early in the second half, with Kenan Yildiz having a hand in three successive goals. Firstly, Bulgaria defender Viktor Popov chipped the ball over his own keeper while under pressure from the Juventus star. Yildiz then found the target with a neat turn-and-shot and an exquisite curler. Zeki Celik made it five when he headed in a Guler corner. With almost the last kick of the game, substitute Irfan Kavheci slid in at the back post to seal the rout.
Spain goals: Pino (24), Oyarzabal (64)
Spain stayed perfect by cruising to victory in Elche. Luis de la Fuente’s charges made the breakthrough when Yeremy Pino cushioned home Robin Le Normand’s cut-back. It should have been two moments later, but Giorgi Mamardashvili did superbly to repel a Ferran Torres spot-kick. Pedro Porro and Mikel Oyarzabal hit both posts within seconds of one another after the restart, before the latter’s rocket sealed the success.
Group F
Hungary goals: Lukacs (56), Gruber (90+4)
Hungary overcame the suspensions of attacking duo Roland Sallai and Barnabas Varga to secure their first victory of the qualifying campaign. The home side dominated the opening period but could not find the breakthrough. Forward Daniel Lukacs was twice denied by the expert reactions of Armenia goalkeeper Henri Avagyan, while captain Dominik Szoboszlai struck just wide of the post in the 38th minute after a dangerous cross from Alex Toth.
The Magyars finally took their opportunity in the 56th minute, when Lukacs broke the offside trap after a through-ball from Bendeguz Bolla and slotted the ball past Avagyan. Deep into injury time, Hungary substitute Zsombor Gruber sealed victory with a fine finish into the bottom corner.
Portugal goal: Neves (90+1)
A Ruben Neves header spared Cristiano Ronaldo’s blushes and made an exceptional Caoimhin Kelleher performance fruitless. Ronaldo struck the post from outside the box in the first half in Lisbon, before the Brentford goalkeeper pulled off fine saves from Goncalo Inacio, Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha. Kelleher’s best action came when Ronaldo struck a penalty down the middle and, despite diving east, he magnificently managed to keep it out with his foot. Neves nevertheless struck to keep Portugal perfect and leave Republic of Ireland on only one point.
Group I
Norway goals: Khalaili OG (18), Haaland (27, 63 & 72), Nachmias OG (28)
Norway stormed clear at the summit with an awe-striking victory. The game got off to a dramatic start when Daniel Peretz saved Erling Haaland’s penalty and, when a retake was ordered, repeated the feat. The Israeli net was rippled, however, when an Alexander Sorloth cross looped over the goalkeeper via the back of Anan Khalaili’s neck. Haaland doubled the lead after crisp work from Sorloth, before an Idan Nachmias own-goal made it 3-0. Haaland added another – and made history – by heading home Antonio Nusa`s excellent cross, before nodding home at the back post to pocket himself another match ball.
Estonia goal: Sappinen (76)
Italy goals: Kean (4), Retegui (38), Esposito (74)
Italy retained hope of catching Norway with a convincing win in Tallinn. Moise Kean conned his marker with step-overs and scored a superb opener for Gennaro Gattuso’s side, before Mateo Retegui’s penalty was saved by Karl Hein. Retegui nevertheless made amends by firing home after lovely work by Riccardo Orsolini, and Francesco Esposito got Italy’s third. Rauno Sappinen capitalised on a Gianluigi Donnarumma mistake to get Estonia a consolation.
Group K
Latvia goals: Zelenkovs (41), Gutkovskis pen (55)
Andorra goals: San Nicolas (33), Olivera (78)
Andorra snatched their first World Cup qualifying point in four years to wound Latvia’s hopes of making it to North America. Koldo Alvarez’s underdogs took a shock lead in Riga when Albert Rosas, despite being surrounded by Latvians, was allowed to get his cross in and Moises San Nicolas stabbed it home at the near post. Dmitrijs Zelenkovs equalised with a sensational, swerving half-volley, and Vladislavs Gutkovskis earned and dispatched a penalty to put Paolo Nicolato’s team ahead. Andorra nevertheless had the final say, Ian Olivera’s header securing a share of the spoils.
Albania goal: Manaj (45+1)
Albania solidified their hold on second place in Group K thanks to a snatch-and-grab victory over Serbia. They are now are unbeaten in their last five World Cup qualifiers. Serbia, meanwhile, have been left with a huge battle to reach the global finals after suffering a 5-0 defeat to England in their previous fixture.
The home side dominated the opening half but it was Albania who went into the break on a high thanks to a brilliant volley from Rey Manaj. Dusan Vlahovic was presented with a glorious chance to equalise in the 62nd minute but the Juventus man blazed over the bar. Serbia put Albania under immense pressure in the final minutes but were unable to make the breakthrough.
How qualifying works
The first round will follow a familiar format, with 12 groups of four or five teams, and the section winners securing World Cup slots. The continent’s four remaining berths will then be settled in a 16-team UEFA play-off competition involving the 12 group runners-up and four best-ranked UEFA Nations League section winners.
