Overview
- Portugal thrashed Armenia 9-1 at Estádio do Dragão to win Group F and secure direct qualification, with goals also from Renato Veiga, Gonçalo Ramos and Francisco Conceição.
- Bruno Fernandes and João Neves each recorded hat-tricks as Roberto Martínez praised a complete, disciplined response to the defeat in Ireland.
- Cristiano Ronaldo missed the match while serving an automatic suspension after his first-ever red card for Portugal and now faces a FIFA disciplinary review that could extend his ban; Portuguese officials plan to appeal for leniency.
- Ireland reached the play-offs with a 3-2 comeback win in Budapest, where Troy Parrott delivered a hat-trick against Hungary.
- Norway completed a perfect qualifying campaign with a 4-1 win over Italy at San Siro, powered by an Erling Haaland brace, sending Italy to the play-offs.