Overview
- Norway beat Italy 4-1 in Milan with an Erling Haaland brace, securing their first World Cup since 1998 and consigning the Azzurri to the March play-offs; Haaland finished qualifying with 16 goals, equalling the record.
- Portugal crushed Armenia 9-1 to top their group for a seventh straight finals, with hat-tricks from Bruno Fernandes and João Neves, and the federation intends to ask FIFA to reduce Ronaldo’s red-card ban.
- England completed a flawless campaign under Thomas Tuchel with eight wins from eight and no goals conceded after a 2-0 victory in Albania led by a Harry Kane double.
- Ireland reached the play-offs with a 3-2 win in Hungary sealed by Troy Parrott’s stoppage-time hat-trick goal; the 16-team UEFA play-off draw is scheduled for November 20.
- Germany host Slovakia on November 17 needing at least a draw to qualify directly, and a win would likely secure a top-seed slot for the December 5 World Cup group draw.