This Friday (10) featured eight more matches in the European Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Highlights include Germany settling down after their defeat in the opening round of Group A.
There was also Mbappé leading 100% France, Sweden embarrassing themselves, an eight-goal thriller, and more.
Check out the highlights below.
Regulations 📝
Only the winner of each of the 12 groups qualifies directly for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
The 12 teams finishing second in their respective groups will be joined by the four best teams from the Nations League that did not finish 1st or 2nd in the Qualifiers for a playoff that will grant four more spots.
Group A
🇩🇪 Germany 4 x 0 Luxembourg 🇱🇺
It was win or win to avoid complications.
And Germany did what was expected at the PreZero Arena, home of Hoffenheim.
Gnabry scored as early as the fourth minute, but VAR confirmed a handball.
The first goal came from Raum, who took a free kick and was helped by the wall (12').
Kimmich extended the lead at 21' after a penalty committed by Carlson – who was also sent off.
The rout was completed after the break. Gnabry succeeded at 48' and Kimmich got his second by pouncing on a rebound in the box (50').
Germany reached six points after three matches and took the lead thanks to Slovakia's loss on goal difference.
🇬🇬 Northern Ireland 2 x 0 Slovakia 🇸🇰
The hosts took the lead with Hrosovsky, who scored an own goal (18').
They extended the lead with Hume at 81'.
They reached six points but are in second due to an inferior goal difference to Germany.
Slovakia – who started the round in first place – dropped to third.
Next matches: 10/13 – Slovakia vs Luxembourg, Northern Ireland vs Germany
Group B
🇸🇪 Sweden 0 x 2 Switzerland 🇨🇭
The highlight of the first half was Bergvall.
He had a great chance after receiving a pass from Isak on the counterattack.
But he stumbled on Trionda, the World Cup ball. It was just him and Sommer's goal.
The missed chance by the Tottenham player proved costly, as Switzerland scored with Xhaka converting a penalty (65').
Manzambi extended the lead (94').
The result kept the Swiss at 100% after three matches.
Sweden remains with just one point and at the bottom of the group.
🇽🇰 Kosovo 0 x 0 Slovenia 🇸🇮
The home team didn't even manage a shot on target.
Superior, Slovenia tried hard. But lacked finishing.
They reached two points. And saw their rivals reach four. That would secure a playoff spot.
Next matches: 10/13 – Slovenia vs Switzerland and Sweden vs Kosovo
Group D
🇫🇷 France 3 x 0 Azerbaijan 🇦🇿
Mbappé received a "pass" from an opponent and almost opened the scoring after 19 seconds.
The rest was French attempts against a very defensive opponent.
The tension only eased when Mbappé got past four defenders, was almost blocked by Ekitike, but scored a beautiful goal (46').
Scoring for the fifth consecutive match with France.
📸 FRANCK FIFE – AFP or licensors
"Chased" by PSG fans present at the Parc des Princes, Rabiot extended the lead after a precise cross from Mbappé (69').
A minute after replacing the Real Madrid star, Thauvin scored a beautiful goal on his return to the national team after six years (84').
France reached nine points, maintaining a 100% record after three matches. Azerbaijan has one.
🇮🇸 Iceland 3 x 5 Ukraine 🇺🇦
Ukraine achieved a great result away from home in a direct duel for a likely playoff spot.
They went into halftime ahead after goals from Malinovskyi (14' and 50') and Gutsulyak (45'). The hosts only scored with Ellertsson (35').
They saw Fiorentina player Gudmundsson score twice (59' and 75').
But Ukraine came out on top thanks to Kaliuzhnyi (85') and Ocheretko (89').
They won their first match, reaching four points. Iceland remains on three and now sits in third place.
Next matches: 10/13 – Ukraine vs Azerbaijan and Iceland vs France
Group I
🇧🇪 Belgium 0 x 0 North Macedonia 🇲🇰
Home advantage made no difference. And Belgium wasted the chance to take the group lead.
Possession exceeded 80%. There were 25 shots, but only five on target.
They were held to a goalless draw, reached 11 points, and remain in second place.
Leaders North Macedonia reached 12.
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan x Liechtenstein 🇱🇮
This was the match that opened Friday's Qualifiers.
Kenzhebek (26' and 59'), Zaynutdinov (28'), and Kasym (81') secured the Kazakh victory.
The "country of Borat" reached six points. Liechtenstein remains on zero.
Next matches: 10/13 – North Macedonia vs Kazakhstan and Wales vs Belgium
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
📸 Pau Barrena – 2025 Getty Images
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