Zurich, Switzerland – 9 September 2025
FIFA World Cup European Qualifying continued with a series of high-stakes matchups and dramatic results that saw records broken and group tables shaken up. From a five-goal masterclass by Erling Haaland to a nail-biting win for Portugal, the road to the 2026 World Cup is heating up with every match.
European qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered a night of goals, upsets, and pivotal moments across the continent. With teams vying for a spot in the finals, every point is crucial, and Tuesday’s results provided a mix of expected victories and stunning surprises that have fans on the edge of their seats.
Headlines:
* Haaland’s Historic Five-Goal Haul: Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland delivered a sensational performance, scoring five goals in a single game as Norway dominated Moldova. This incredible display solidified his position as the top scorer in the qualifying campaign and kept Norway’s perfect record intact.
* Portugal’s Dramatic Late Winner: In a thrilling match against Hungary, Portugal secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory. After taking the lead and then conceding a late equalizer, João Cancelo struck a first-time shot from outside the area to save the three points and keep Portugal in control of their group.
* Armenia Stuns Ireland: In one of the night’s biggest upsets, the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dreams took a hit in Yerevan as Armenia bounced back from a previous defeat to stun the Irish with a 2-1 victory.
* France Fights Back: France maintained their perfect start in Group D, but not without a challenge. Kylian Mbappé scored and provided an assist as they came from behind to defeat Iceland 2-1 in a tough contest.
* England’s Dominance Continues: England sent a clear message to their rivals with a dominant 5-0 thrashing of Serbia. The win keeps their 100% record in Group K and puts them in a strong position to qualify for an eighth-consecutive World Cup.
The most eye-catching result of the night came from Oslo, where Erling Haaland was in unstoppable form. The Manchester City striker was the star of a thoroughly one-sided contest, leading his team to a resounding 11-1 victory over Moldova. His performance not only secured a crucial win but also put him on an impressive nine goals for the qualifying campaign.
Elsewhere, the Republic of Ireland faced a difficult night in Armenia. After a narrow loss, their coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, and his team face an uphill battle to keep their World Cup ambitions alive. Meanwhile, Portugal demonstrated their resilience against a determined Hungarian side. Led by veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo, who equaled a qualifying record with his 39th goal, the Portuguese team showed their class and grit to secure a vital away win.
Other key results included France’s comeback win against Iceland and England’s emphatic victory over Serbia. These results have solidified the positions of some of Europe’s top teams, but with several matchdays still to play, the race for a spot in the FIFA World Cup is far from over.
