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.

Portugal confirmed their passage to the 2026 World Cup with a commanding display against Armenia, led by hat tricks from Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves. The team entered the match under pressure after a setback against the Republic of Ireland, a defeat made worse by Cristiano Ronaldo’s dismissal in that encounter.

The tension eased quickly when Renato Veiga met a well-placed free kick from Fernandes and nodded the ball into the net to set Portugal on their way. Armenia briefly stopped the momentum when Eduard Spertsyan reacted quickest inside the area and leveled the score midway through the opening half.

That equalizer did little to unsettle Portugal. Goncalo Ramos restored the advantage soon after by guiding a composed finish beyond the goalkeeper. Neves then produced two strikes in succession, one arriving after a sweeping move and the next produced from a dead-ball effort that curled beyond the defensive wall.

Ruben Dias won a penalty just before the interval, giving Fernandes the chance to calmly send the goalkeeper the wrong way and extend the lead. With that, Portugal went into the break firmly in command of the contest.

Relentless scoring secures overwhelming result

The pattern resumed once the teams returned. Fernandes collected his second of the match with a driven attempt that found the corner of the net. He soon completed his treble from the penalty spot after Carlos Forbs was impeded inside the area, adding further distance between the sides.

Neves was not finished either. The midfielder ensured he matched Fernandes’ tally by guiding in a precise effort from central range, taking Portugal’s total to eight goals and further demonstrating their control of the game.

Francisco Conceicao added the final touch in the closing moments, drilling the ball inside the near post to complete a resounding performance. It capped a night in which Portugal maintained attack-minded pressure from start to finish.

Suspension concerns for Ronaldo ahead of next year

Portugal’s emphatic win also confirmed their place at the tournament without needing help from elsewhere. However, attention now turns to Ronaldo’s disciplinary situation. His red card against the Republic of Ireland has already ruled him out of the next fixture, but a decision from FIFA could increase that punishment.

Should the governing body extend the ban, the forward may miss Portugal’s opening two matches at the 2026 World Cup. That outcome remains possible as officials review the circumstances of his sending off.