Norway on cusp of finals, England one win away after Serbia loss

Norway are on the cusp of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after thrashing Israel 5-0 on Saturday thanks to an Erling Haaland hat-trick.

Denied by Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz twice from the penalty spot early on after the referee ordered a retake of his initial effort, Haaland doubled Norway’s lead with a right-footed finish after Anan Khalaili’s own goal had given the hosts the lead.

Another own goal, this time from Idan Nachmias, made it 3-0 as Peretz’s clearance rebounded off the defender and into the net.

Haaland then made history with a pair of headers to complete his hat-trick, the Manchester City striker reaching 51 goals in 46 appearances for his country.

With that tally, Haaland became the quickest player to score 50 or more goals for his country, shattering Harry Kane’s record 50 in 71 for England.

Norway do not play another qualifier until November. However, six points ahead of Italy in Group I with a huge goal difference of 26, Norway will be all but certain of a place in the finals for the first time since 1998 if they beat Estonia next month, or if Italy lose at home to Israel on Tuesday.

Estonia 1-3 Italy

Italy made it three wins from three under the leadership of Gennaro Gattuso to keep their hopes of automatic qualification alive.

Moise Kean opened the scoring in the fourth minute when he latched onto Federico DiMarco’s throughball and curled into the bottom corner, though Kean came off 11 minutes later with an ankle injury.

Mateo Retegui had a penalty saved by Karl Hein on the half-hour mark, but eight minutes later the striker atoned for that failure with a first-time finish from Riccardo Orsolini’s pull back.

Francesco Pio Esposito’s first Italy goal furthered the Azzurri’s command in the 74th minute, though the three-goal margin was short-lived as Gianluigi Donnarumma spilled a cross, enabling Rauno Sappinen to pull a goal back.

That only proved a consolation, though, and Italy can pull within three points of Norway by beating Israel. Gattuso will be without centre-back Alessandro Bastoni through suspension after the Inter Milan centre-back was booked.

Spain 2-0 Georgia

Spain’s Iberian neighbours Portugal needed a 91st-minute winner from Ruben Neves to beat Ireland 1-0. Portugal are five points clear of Hungary, who beat Armenia 2-0 in Group H. They will qualify on Tuesday if they defeat Hungary and Armenia fail to win against Ireland.

La Roja on course to qualify in similarly comfortable fashion.

Yeremy Pino set Spain on their way to a routine win over Georgia when tapped in after Robin Le Normand laid Pedri’s cross into his path in the 24th minute.

Ferran Torres failed to convert from the penalty spot five minutes later, but Mikel Oyarzabal’s powerful free-kick in the 64th minute made it three wins from three.

Spain are three points clear of Turkey, who thrashed Bulgaria 6-1, at the top of Group E. They will effectively be sure of qualification on Tuesday if they beat Bulgaria on Tuesday and Turkey lose to Georgia.

Serbia 0-1 Albania

England will punch their ticket to the finals on Tuesday with a win over Latvia after Serbia suffered a home defeat in Belgrade.

Rey Manaj scored what proved to be the winner for Albania in first-half stoppage time when he lashed home a right-footed volley.

Albania move into second place in Group K, four points behind England having played a game more. The Three Lions will take an unassailable seven-point lead at the top with victory in Latvia, who were held to a 2-2 draw by minnows Andorra on Saturday.