Overview
- Norway beat Italy 4:1 at San Siro, completing eight wins from eight as Erling Haaland scored his 15th and 16th qualifying goals to equal Robert Lewandowski’s record.
- Italy finished second in the group and will enter UEFA’s March 2026 play-offs, with the draw set for Thursday in Zurich; coach Gennaro Gattuso called the 1:4 "inacceptable" and apologized to fans.
- Portugal secured direct qualification with a 9:1 win over Armenia as Bruno Fernandes and João Neves netted hat-tricks, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup suspension length remains unresolved as the FPF seeks a short ban.
- Ireland reached the play-offs with a 3:2 comeback win in Budapest, sealed by Troy Parrott’s stoppage-time winner to complete his hat-trick, eliminating Hungary.
- The results reshape ranking and seeding scenarios ahead of the December 5 World Cup draw, with Italy’s slide boosting Germany’s chance to clinch Pot 1 if it beats Slovakia on Monday.