Portugal finally punched their ticket to FIFA World Cup 26™ with a comprehensive victory over Armenia in Porto, despite the absence of captain Cristiano Ronaldo who was forced to sit out the clash through suspension after his red card in the recent defeat by the Republic of Ireland.
Goal-machine Erling Haaland added two more to his tally as Norway extended their perfect record with a 4-1 victory over Italy in Milan, ensuring they returned to the global showpiece for the first time since 1998, with the Azzurri having to settle for a play-off place.
Second place in Group F and a berth in the play-offs was snatched in the most dramatic fashion by Ireland, who twice trailed in Hungary but scored the winner deep into added time to silence the home fans in Budapest.
The runners-up spot in Group D was grabbed by Ukraine thanks to two late goals against Iceland, while France, England, Serbia and Israel ended their campaigns with victories over Azerbaijan, Albania, Latvia and Moldova, respectively.
Group D
Ukraine goals: Zubkov (83), Hutsuliak (90+3)
Late goals from Oleksandr Zubkov and Oleksii Hutsuliak catapulted Ukraine over Iceland and into the UEFA play-offs. Unlike their eight-goal thriller last month, it was a cagey contest for most of the evening with Iceland knowing a draw would be enough to progress to the play-offs, while it was win-or-bust for Ukraine. The hosts started mounting the pressure in the second stanza, and moments after Elias Rafn Olafsson stopped Roman Yaremchuk with back-to-back saves, a flicked-on header from Hutsuliak found Zubkov, who directed a header in off the far post. Hutsuliak’s left-footed stoppage time strike then capped the festivities.
Azerbaijan goal: Dadashov (4)
France goals: Mateta (17), Akliouche (30), Magomedaliyev (45 OG)
Malo Gusto served up a pair of assists as France shook off a slow start to defeat Azerbaijan in Baku. There was early bedlam as Renat Dadashov connected with Rahman Dashdamirov’s cross to give the hosts a stunning lead. France answered in due time with Gusto serving up a cross for Jean-Philippe Mateta to thump home a header. Gusto remained in the giving mood and offered up another assist, this time for Maghnes Akliouche to hand France the advantage. An own goal from goalkeeper Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev gave the French a third, allowing them to cruise to the final whistle.
Group F
Portugal goals: Veiga (7), Ramos (28), Neves (30, 42 & 81), Fernandes (45+3 pen, 52 & 72 pen), Conceicao (90+2)
Armenia goals: Spertsian (18)
Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves each scored hat-tricks to propel Portugal past Armenia and to World Cup qualification. The goals came at a steady rate, beginning with Renato Veiga’s header off a parry from goalkeeper Henri Avagyan. Armenia equalised when Eduard Spertsian connected with Grant-Leon Ranos’ cross, but Portugal regained the lead for good on a swoop and score from Ramos following an Armenian mistake.
Moments later Fernandes set up a thumping finish for Neves, who added a second on a perfectly struck free-kick. Fernandes got into the scoring swing with his hat-trick, sandwiching two penalty conversions around a right-footed finish. Portugal’s celebratory day was then rounded out by Neves’ third and a last-second strike from Francisco Conceicao.
Hungary goals: Lukacs (3), Varga (37)
Republic of Ireland goals: Parrott (15, pen, 80 & 90+6)
Troy Parrott’s hat-trick goal deep into added time saw the Republic of Ireland leapfrog a shell-shocked Hungary side and snatch a play-off berth via second place in the standings. The hosts had made a dream start with Daniel Lukacs steering home a near-post header as Dominik Szoboszlai whipped in a cross from the left, only for Ireland to hit back soon after when Parrott drilled home from the spot after Attila Szalai caught Chiedozie Ogbene in the box.
An already pulsating atmosphere was cranked up even further as Barnabas Varga chested the ball down outside the box before unleashing a spectacular half-volley for a FIFA Puskás Award contender at the Puskás Arena. Parrott’s clever leveller 10 minutes from time set up a dramatic conclusion, which the same player sealed with just seconds remaining as he poked home to silence the home supporters.
Group I
Italy goal: Esposito (11)
Norway goals: Nusa (63), Haaland (78 & 79), Strand Larsen (90+3)
Norway completed their World Cup return with a perfect qualification record after coming from behind to defeat Italy in Milan. Needing to win by an improbable nine clear goals, Gennaro Gattuso’s side grabbed an early opener when Federico Dimarco found Pio Esposito to score with a neat spin and strike to give faint hope to the home fans at a packed San Siro. After a strangely subdued first half, Stale Solbakken’s side were much improved after the interval with Antonio Nusa’s fizzing left-foot strike from outside the box levelling the scores. Oscar Bobb then set up Erling Haaland for a fine volley to put Norway in front, and the seemingly unstoppable striker grabbing his second soon after, to equal Robert Lewandowski’s record of 16 goals in a qualification campaign, set ahead of Russia 2018. Jorgen Strand Larsen added gloss in added time.
Israel goals: Turgeman (21 pen), Revivo (65), Peretz (85), Baboglo (88 OG)
Moldova goal: Nicolaesco (37)
Israel finished their qualifying campaign on a high note by downing ten-man Moldova. Things tilted in Israel’s favour midway through the first half when Moldova’s Sergiu Perciun was sent off for taking down Eliel Peretz in the area, and Dor Turgeman converted the penalty. Moldova showed plenty of fight and pulled level on an excellent right-footed strike from Ion Nicolaesco. Israel wrestled back the lead for good when a shot rebounded off the post and Roy Revivo finished from a narrow angle. A right-footed smash from Peretz and a Vladislav Baboglo own goal then sealed the points.
Group K
England goals: Kane (74 & 82)
England captain Harry Kane added two more to his international tally as the Three Lions completed a perfect qualification campaign with victory over play-off bound Albania. Thomas Tuchel made a number of changes to his starting XI, with top spot having been secured back in October. Jarrod Bowen and Eberechi Eze came close in either half, with the duo set up on both occasions by Jude Bellingham, before Kane tapped home following a corner and then headed in Marcus Rashford’s fine cross. Dean Henderson was afforded a rare start in place of Jordan Pickford, and he ensured the Three Lions kept an eighth clean sheet in as many matches.
Serbia goals: Katai (49), Stankovic (60)
Latvia goal: Gutkovskis (12)
Serbia were forced to come from behind for victory in Leskovac as they brought the curtain down on a disappointing qualification campaign which saw them end in third place. Vladislavs Gutkovskis had shocked the home fans as he converted a cross from the right with a left-foot finish early in the piece. Recently-appointed coach Veljko Paunovic made three half-time changes for Serbia and was rewarded for his approach with two of the substitutes – Aleksandar Katai and Aleksandar Stankovic – on target to turn the tide within 15 minutes of the restart.
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.
