Erling Haaland struck twice as Norway defeated Italy to clinch their place at FIFA World Cup 2026, whereas hat-tricks from Bruno Fernandes and João Neves helped Portugal declare a berth of their very own.
UEFA.com rounds up Sunday’s motion.
Outcomes
Group D: Ukraine 2-0 Iceland, Azerbaijan 1-3 France
Group F: Hungary 2-3 Republic of Eire, Portugal 9-1 Armenia
Group I: Italy 1-4 Norway, Israel 4-1 Moldova
Group Ok: Serbia 2-1 Latvia, Albania 0-2 England
Erling Haaland struck twice as Norway accomplished an ideal marketing campaign, ending six factors above second-placed Italy atop Group I.
Pio Esposito opened the scoring within the eleventh minute with a pointy flip and end as a part of a dominant first half for the Azzurri, however the revitalised guests equalised via Antonio Nusa’s highly effective 63rd-minute drive.
Haaland volleyed in Oscar Bobb’s cross within the 78th minute and struck once more from Morten Thorsby’s move a minute later, with substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen including to the scoreline after a stunning run in added time as his facet reached their first World Cup since 1998.
The Seleção claimed Group F high spot in model behind Bruno Fernandes and João Neves hat-tricks. It was Renato Veiga who first put the hosts in entrance, nevertheless, registering through a close-range header, just for Armenia skipper Eduard Spertsyan to degree after a swift counter.
Any Portugal fears had been allayed with two targets in three minutes earlier than the half-hour mark, Gonçalo Ramos pouncing on a again move and João Neves burying his first worldwide strike.
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder then added an outstanding curling free-kick, earlier than Bruno Fernandes staked his declare to the match ball with a pair of penalties both facet of a swept end. João Neves was to not be outdone, although, notching his third of the competition because of a high quality half-volley late on, with substitute Francisco Conceição including a ninth in added time.
Harry Kane’s late double ensured the Three Lions completed with an ideal report in Group Ok.
The England skipper pounced from shut vary within the 74th minute to faucet in on the close to publish following a Bukayo Saka nook and doubled the benefit quickly after with a robust header from Marcus Rashford’s exact cross.
Earlier than that, Albania had been on track to change into the primary group to cease England from scoring throughout qualifying and almost took the lead themselves early within the second half, with Dean Henderson twice denying the vigorous Arbër Hoxha.
Kane nearly claimed a hat-trick deep in added time, however his effort from a decent angle flashed throughout the face of purpose.
Better of the remainder
- The Republic of Eire beat Hungary 3-2 in Budapest to seal second place in Group F, with Troy Parrott placing in stoppage time to finish a hat-trick and cap a exceptional turnaround. Heimir Hallgrímsson’s males advance to March’s play-offs consequently.
- Ukraine sealed a play-off spot by downing Iceland 2-0 to complete as runners-up in Group D, the decisive late targets supplied by Oleksandr Zubkov and Oleksii Hutsuliak.
- Elsewhere, Group D winners France got here from behind to defeat Azerbaijan 3-1 in Baku as Maghnes Akliouche scored his first senior worldwide purpose.
Monday’s fixtures
Kick-off 20:45 CET
Group A: Northern Eire vs Luxembourg, Germany vs Slovakia
Group G: Malta vs Poland, Netherlands vs Lithuania
Group L: Czechia vs Gibraltar, Montenegro vs Croatia
