Geneva (AP) – Spain still looks like the best team in Europe. The UK has finally held a show in the World Cup qualifiers, and France has almost dropped points despite the goal of Killian Mbappe.
All European teams are now starting their qualifying group, and it was a good week for Luca Modric, with Portugal’s fast start with 40-year-old greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Croatia leading the group.
Erling Haaland’s five goals transport Norway’s 11-1 Moldova assault brought Italy closer to the playoffs with a group where goal differences could be decisive.
Italy probably had the strangest week in its quest Don’t miss the third straight world cup.
The four-time champion scored six points and scored 10 goals, but after new coach Gennaro Gattuso won 5-4, he aimed and guided Israeli players on the field.
Germany could also risk finishing in the playoffs next March after stumbling Opening 2-0 loss in Slovakia. It was Germany’s first loss on the road in the World Cup qualifying round.
Slovakia may still regret a 1-0 victory at Luxembourg from a 90th minute goal. Only the winners of the group will advance directly in November, with the difference in goal being the first tiebreaker.
Stylish Spain
Euro 2024 winner Spain 2025 Nations League title refused to be added Penalty shoot out loss against Portugal In the final, where he led twice.
Already, Spain looks like Europe’s finest hope at the 2026 World Cup. If a struggling 3-0 victory in Bulgaria was routine, Turkey’s 6-0 thrashing in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals in Istanbul was an outstanding result.
Midfielder Mikel Merino’s hat-trick meant Spain didn’t need a goal from Ramin Yamal, but the 18-year-old star had two assists.
Spain is well balanced, looks younger and still improving Luis de la Fuentea modest coach. Hosting Georgia and starwinger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at Elche on October 11th should be the highlight of your next international break.
Tuchel’s England appears
England destroyed Serbia 5-0 One of the more terrifying stadiums in Belgrade in Europe.
The winning style was the Euro 2024 finalist. The fire failed He won and a clean sheet under German coach Thomas Tuschel. Tuchel called it “a victory in a statement against a difficult opponent in a difficult environment.”
The fantastic link-up play on the second goal between Noni Madueke, Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rodgers before Madueke scored was very impressive by players from three different clubs, with only 19 games in the UK.
France handled the first week, winning against Ukraine (2-0) and Iceland (2-1). Mbappé scored in each game, finishing second on Les Bleus’s all time list with 52 goals, following Olivier Giroud’s 57.
Swiss Summit
Quarterfinal exit at Euro 2024 – a Penalty shootout against England -It seemed to hide how good Switzerland was in the tournament. Co-host of the World Cup, which won the US in June, with Mexico US I went under the radar again.
Switzerland launched a close-up, good-looking group and used Basel’s home advantage in full effect. They beat Slovenia 3-0 3-0 before halftime with four first-half goals in Kosovo.
Three of the seven goals were scored by Breell exlolo to fulfill the promise he showed as a teenager. Captain Granite Zaka still runs the show in the middle. A trip to Sweden and Slovenia continues in October.
San Marino’s hope
San Marino’s 210th place in the “World’s Worst Team” Chance Participate in European Qualifying Playoffs It looks slim. San Marino is competing as he was one of the 14 winners of the UEFA Nations League group last year.
The 16-country playoffs in March include four teams via international league rankings, in addition to the 12th runner-up in the qualifying group in November. These four end after less than a third of the qualifying group.
San Marino ranks 14th in international league rankings, so at least 10 of the top 13 are required to win or get second in the World Cup Qualifying Group.
Currently, Sweden only took one point from the match between Slovenia and Kosovo this week, while Romania may need backdoor entry into the playoffs. So is Northern Ireland, Wales, or North Macedonia, and even Moldova. Everything will go above San Marino.
World Cup draw in DC
There is a clear scenario for Italy to be the team to avoid in a World Cup draw December 5th Washington. Pay attention to Brazil and Argentina, the US and Canada.
For the Second Straight Men’s World Cup, Not all entries are confirmed Before you can tie the tournament.
Six placeholders will take part in 42 confirmed qualifiers to take into account the playoff bracket decided in March. Four are in Europe and two are in the InterContinental division.
Even if the playoff candidate is Italy, all six placeholders will come out of seed 4 in Pot 4 (currently No. 11) FIFA Rankings ) or Germany (No. 9).
Italy is not the ideal option for top seed teams such as South American powers and co-hosts.
nevertheless, I’m cleaning up the format of 48 teams -If eight of the 12 groups, third place teams need to advance to the first knockout round of 32 teams, then everyone has a better chance than a balanced 32 team group stage format.
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