England became the first country from Europe to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday.
England won 5-0 at Latvia, with captain Harry Kane scoring twice in the first half, to assure first place in its group with two matches to spare. The English, who will be appearing at an eighth straight World Cup, haven’t conceded a goal in six matches in qualifying so far under German coach Thomas Tuchel.
“Sometimes we make it look easy,” said Kane, who already has a total of 21 goals for England and Bayern Munich this season, “but these groups and games can be tough. … We talk about high standards no matter who we play against to keep the momentum, and that showed.”
Italy, which has failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, guaranteed itself at least a place in the playoffs after beating Israel 3-0 in a match laced with tension, played amid a hefty police and military presence, and preceded by a pro-Palestinian march attended by an estimated 10,000 people.
The match was placed in the highest risk category despite a breakthrough ceasefire deal that has paused two years of war in Gaza.
The second-placed Azzurri moved three points behind Norway, which has a much healthier goal difference. Both teams have two matches left next month, including a game against each other in Italy in the final round of qualifiers.
Spain stayed top of its group, three points clear of Turkey, by beating Bulgaria 4-0 to maintain its 100 per cent start to the qualifying campaign.
Turkey also won, 4-1 at home to Georgia, and at least looks set for the spot in the playoffs.
Tuchel impressing
Tuchel is putting his own stamp on the England team, and might potentially be winning over some critics who wanted an English person in charge of the national team.
He has made some big calls, like leaving out high-profile players like Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden from the squad and taking on England’s fans for being too quiet in the last match but is getting some impressive results, albeit against mediocre opposition.
If the 5-0 win in Serbia last month was the statement result in Tuchel’s tenure so far, this latest thrashing was another sign of the assuredness and ruthlessness in the team. Anthony Gordon opened the scoring, Kane added two more in the first half, and there was an own goal as well as a strike from substitute Eberechi Eze after halftime.
“Brilliant, such a good mood in the dressing room,” Tuchel said, while England defender John Stones added: “We’re building something special.”
With the 2026 World Cup now one year away, CBC Sports’ Chris Jones examines it’s impact and what it will mean to Canada in this video essay.
South Africans blank Rwanda
In Johannesburg, South Africa is back at the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. Ivory Coast and Senegal will also be there as the latest teams from Africa to qualify.
South Africa secured a spot in North America after beating Rwanda 3-0 Tuesday to top its qualifying group, despite being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player in earlier games.
South Africa’s victory meant Nigeria finished second in the group and will have to qualify through a playoff, despite beating Benin 4-0 at home after a hat trick from star striker Victor Osimhen. Benin had led the group before the last round.
Ivory Coast also secured automatic qualification after a 3-0 win over a Kenya, one point ahead of Gabon. The Elephants had missed the last two tournaments.
Senegal reached its third straight World Cup after beating Mauritania 4-0 to qualify as winner of Group B, two points ahead of Congo.
Merino double
On a night of scoring doubles, Mikel Merino netted twice for Spain as the European champions made it four wins from four matches in qualifying and are yet to concede a goal.
After an own goal, Mikel Oyarzabal added a late fourth for Spain, which plays Georgia away and Turkey at home next month.
Turkey, for whom Merih Demiral scored twice against Georgia, has not just three points but an inferior goal difference of 12 to make up to the Spanish.
Another player with two goals was Mateo Retegui for Italy in Udine, where the heavy police presence included snipers on the roof of the 25,000-seat Stadio Friuli.
Less than 10,000 tickets were sold for the match that passed off without major disruption on the field, after earlier skirmishes between protesters and police on the streets of the city.
Source link
