The Netherlands secured their place at the 2026 World Cup with a convincing home victory against Lithuania.

Entering the final matchday, the Dutch were already in a strong position, leading Poland by three points and boasting a superior goal difference of 13. This cushion ensured that a win at home would confirm their qualification without relying on other results.

By maintaining their unbeaten run, the Netherlands demonstrated consistent form throughout the qualifying campaign, leaving no doubt about their status as group leaders.

Premier League stars dominate scoring

All four goals in the match were scored by players currently playing in the Premier League, marking the first time this has happened in a single game for the Netherlands.

Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City opened the scoring in the 16th minute, giving the hosts an early advantage.

Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo then converted a penalty, extending the lead, before Tottenham’s Xavi Simons added a third with a powerful finish. Aston Villa’s Donyell Malen capped the scoring with an impressive solo effort, sealing the win.

The performance highlighted the significant impact of Dutch players in England’s top league on the national team’s success.

Poland to enter play-offs despite victory

Although Poland managed a 3-2 victory away against Malta, the result was not enough to overtake the Netherlands at the top of the group.

With the Dutch securing qualification, Poland will now have to compete in the play-offs for a chance to reach the World Cup.

This outcome emphasizes the importance of goal difference and consistent results throughout the qualifying campaign.

Nick Woltemade continued his scoring streak, giving Germany the lead against Slovakia in Leipzig. The Newcastle striker had already netted twice in the previous match against Luxembourg, and his powerful header from Joshua Kimmich’s cross put Julian Nagelsmann’s team in a strong position from the start.

Serge Gnabry quickly followed up, doubling Germany’s advantage with a precise finish into the corner after receiving a perfectly timed pass from Leon Goretzka. The early dominance from the hosts left Slovakia struggling to respond, as Germany showcased their attacking fluency.

Leroy Sane then capitalized on a sublime ball from Florian Wirtz, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to extend the lead further. Just before the break, the duo combined again, with Sane converting Goretzka’s cross to make it 4-0, confirming Germany’s control heading into halftime.

Second-half dominance and debut goals

The second half saw Germany maintain their composure, though the intensity eased compared to the first period. Ridle Baku added the fifth goal, marking his first strike for the national team since 2021. The goal came after Gnabry moved across, providing the perfect opportunity for Baku to fire home a low, precise shot.

Assan Ouedraogo made an immediate impact on his international debut, scoring Germany’s sixth just two minutes after entering the pitch. He placed the ball into the bottom corner with confidence, adding another milestone to a memorable night for the hosts.

Germany’s defense remained solid throughout, keeping a fourth consecutive clean sheet. The combination of attacking prowess and defensive stability ensured their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Slovakia’s play-off fate

Slovakia’s hopes of finishing top of Group A ended in disappointment. Their best chance came early when David Duris found the net, only for Oliver Baumann to make a crucial save from close range, denying any momentum shift.

Despite their efforts, Slovakia struggled against Germany’s high defensive line and cohesive attacking moves. The heavy defeat confirmed that they must now attempt to qualify through the playoffs, ending their direct route to the tournament.

Germany’s emphatic victory underlined their strength and readiness ahead of the next World Cup, while Slovakia faces the challenge of regrouping for a crucial playoff campaign.

England closed their World Cup qualifying schedule with a spotless series of eight triumphs after seeing off Albania. The group leaders had already booked their passage, and Thomas Tuchel rotated heavily following the previous win over Serbia.

The coach also shifted the team’s structure, asking John Stones to drift into midfield when England held the ball. Despite the success, the display lacked fluency.

Harry Kane ultimately settled the evening with two goals, lifting his international total to 78. His first came in the 74th minute when he forced in Bukayo Saka’s corner. Eight minutes later, he guided a header in from Marcus Rashford’s precise delivery.

Before the breakthrough, England passed up promising openings through Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen, and Saka, while Albania created danger of their own, most notably when Arber Hoxha’s counterattack attempt was saved by Dean Henderson. England also became the first European side to achieve at least six qualifying wins without letting in a goal.

Tuchel’s adjustments shape England’s progress

The starting team marked Tuchel’s most experimental selection since taking the job at the beginning of January. Jarell Quansah became the seventh debutant under his guidance and slotted into a group that revealed the manager’s view of current understudies in several roles.

Bellingham returned to the initial line-up for the first time since June after recovering from a shoulder problem, and his contest for the central attacking berth with Morgan Rogers continues to build.

However, Tuchel’s influence again came from his decisions during the match. In the previous outing, Eberechi Eze and Phil Foden combined to seal victory. This time, Saka and Rashford produced the assists that set up Kane’s decisive contributions.

England have faltered by narrow margins in previous tournaments, with Gareth Southgate occasionally criticized for being slow to change things. Tuchel, known for bold calls at club level, is already altering matches through the depth of attacking options available to him.

England’s growing resilience

Albania travelled in strong form, carrying an eight-match unbeaten streak, and their organization restricted England for long stretches. Their best moment came when Hoxha finished a quick break with a low strike that Henderson held.

Even so, England remained composed and continued probing until the late goals arrived. The squad’s ability to stay patient and to rely on influential contributions from the bench again illustrated their development under Tuchel.

With perfect defensive numbers and decisive attacking changes, England heads toward the World Cup with a structure that appears increasingly adaptable and resilient.

DR Congo advanced their drive toward the 2026 global finals after prevailing 4-3 in a tense penalty decider against Nigeria, following a 1-1 stalemate that lasted through extra time in the African play-off showdown.

Captain Chancel Mbemba struck the decisive attempt from the spot, sealing the result after substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu – introduced specifically for the shootout – denied Semi Ajayi in the sixth round.

The triumph sends the Central African side to an intercontinental challenge scheduled for next March, keeping alive their dream of returning to the tournament for the first time since 1974.

Nigeria’s exit marks a second straight failure to reach the finals, ending their campaign with an unconvincing display in Rabat.

Frank Onyeka’s early effort, which took a deflection, put the West Africans ahead inside three minutes, but Meschack Elia restored parity midway through the opening half with a close-range finish.

Momentum shifts as DR Congo take control after the interval

Nigeria’s offensive threat faded sharply once Victor Osimhen left the pitch during the break, allowing DR Congo to dictate possession throughout most of the second period.

Mbemba nearly clinched victory late in extra time, only for Stanley Nwabali to stretch across the goal and push away his looping attempt near the right post.

The shootout unfolded under heavy rain, culminating in Mbemba firing high into the net and sparking celebrations that sent the Congolese players sprinting toward their jubilant supporters.

The win keeps hopes alive for a nation long absent from football’s biggest stage and still chasing a return under their current name.

Nigeria’s struggles continue after a turbulent qualification journey

Ranked significantly higher than their rivals, the Super Eagles were widely expected to progress, but their elimination will sting given their strong heritage and deep fanbase in the United States.

Their extended qualifying path was disrupted by instability, with three different coaches overseeing various stages of the campaign.

Eric Chelle rekindled their prospects after taking charge at the start of the year, yet the team only squeezed into the playoffs on goal difference.

A recurring issue has been the lack of a cutting edge whenever Osimhen was unavailable, as the side gathered just four points from a possible fifteen during group matches played without the Galatasaray forward.

Chelle’s players created little after their early breakthrough, and DR Congo grew more assertive as the contest progressed, with Nigeria largely settling for penalties after Osimhen’s withdrawal.

Leopards join intercontinental field as World Cup hopes remain alive

Fiston Mayele twice appeared to have secured victory during extra time, but both moments were overturned due to fouls committed by teammates in the build-up.

DR Congo held firm in a gripping finish and now moves into the six-team playoff event, joining Bolivia and New Caledonia in next year’s qualification finale.

They will be joined by the winner of the Asian meeting between Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the two strongest third-placed sides from Concacaf’s third phase.

Sitting 60th in the world standings, the Leopards may face up to two additional contests on their path to securing a place at the finals, with their route to be confirmed after Thursday’s draw.