JuicyTalk
The final round of European World Cup qualifiers before domestic football returns took place tonight, with another handful of teams able to secure their place at next summer’s tournament.
England were in action against Latvia, knowing a win would give them safe passage across the Atlantic Ocean, while fellow heavyweights Spain, Portugal and Italy were also involved.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. were taking on Hungary with the chance to progress to the main tournament, the Italians hosted Israel, and La Roja faced up against Bulgaria on home soil.
Read on to see how the best of the action unfolded across the continent.
Portugal fall short
Portugal were denied early qualification for the 2026 World Cup after conceding a dramatic late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Hungary in Lisbon.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s first-half brace appeared to have sealed victory for Roberto Martinez’s side, who created a host of chances and twice struck the woodwork through Ruben Dias and Bruno Fernandes.
Hungary, who had taken an early lead through Attila Szalai’s header, continued to threaten on the counter, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Roland Sallai leading their attacks.
Their persistence was finally rewarded deep into stoppage time when substitute Daniel Lukacs weaved down the right and sent in a low cross that Szoboszlai tapped home to stun the hosts.
The result means Portugal remain top of Group F, five points clear of Hungary, but must wait to secure their place at next summer’s tournament.
Spain cruise to victory
Spain cruised to a dominant 4-0 win over Bulgaria in Valladolid to maintain their perfect start to 2026 World Cup qualifying.
Mikel Merino was the star of the night, scoring twice with powerful headers either side of half-time.
The Arsenal midfielder opened the scoring in the first half after meeting Robin Le Normand’s cushioned header, before doubling Spain’s advantage with another well-timed run into the box to nod home Alejandro Grimaldo’s cross.
Spain’s third came midway through the second half when Aleix Garcia’s low delivery was turned into his own net by defender Atanas Chernev.
The hosts completed the rout in stoppage time, as Merino was tripped in the box by Georgiev and Mikel Oyarzabal calmly dispatched the resulting penalty into the bottom-right corner.
Italy provide no surprises
Italy secured their place in the 2026 World Cup play-offs with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Israel in Udine.
The first half offered little in terms of entertainment until the final moments, when Mateo Retegui won and converted a penalty after being brought down by Baltaxa inside the box.
The striker confidently dispatched his spot-kick into the top corner to give Gennaro Gattuso’s side a deserved lead heading into the break.
Retegui struck again in the second half, robbing substitute Turiel of possession before curling a superb finish into the corner from outside the area.
As the game entered stoppage time, defender Gianluca Mancini capped off the performance with a flicked header from Federico Dimarco’s corner to make it 3-0.
The result leaves Italy three points behind group leaders Norway with two matches remaining, though the Norwegians boast a much superior goal difference.
Gattuso’s side next travel to Moldova knowing that, while automatic qualification may be a stretch, their play-off spot is now guaranteed.
World Cup qualifying results in full
Spain 4-0 Bulgaria
Turkey 4-1 Georgia
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Armenia
Portugal 2-2 Hungary
Estonia 1-1 Moldova
Italy 3-0 Israel
Andorra 1-3 Serbia
Latvia 0-5 England
