The qualifying stage of the 2026 World Cup continues at a rapid pace in Europe. In the matches of the round held on October 10, a number of leading teams recorded their next victories.
In Group A, Germany defeated Luxembourg 4-0 at home. Raum opened the scoring, while Kimmich scored a brace with penalties and accurate shots in the penalty area. Gnabry also scored a goal, fully securing the victory. Northern Ireland defeated Slovakia 2-0.
Group A. Round 3
Germany - Luxembourg 4:0
Goals: Raum (12), Kimmich (21 penalty, 50), Gnabry (48).
Germany: Baumann, Ta, Schlotterbeck (Anton, 61'), Raum (Braun, 82'), Goretzka, Pavlovic, Gnabry (Bayer, 68'), Wirtz, Adeyemi (Baku, 61'), Voltemade (Burckardt, 61').
Red card: Carlson (20, Luxembourg).
Northern Ireland - Slovakia 2:0
Goals: Groshovskiy (18, own goal), Hum (81).
In Group B, the focus was on Switzerland's victorious match - they defeated Sweden 2-0 away, taking a big step towards the World Cup. Jaka opened the scoring from a penalty, and Manzambi put the final point at the end of the game. With this victory, the Swiss consolidated their lead in the group. The match between Kosovo and Slovenia ended in a 0-0 draw.
Group B. Round 3
Sweden - Switzerland 0:2
Goals: Jaka (65, penalty), Manzambi (90+4).
Sweden: Johansson, Lagerbielke, Hin, Gudmundsson, Sema (Svensson, 72), Ayyari, Karlström (Saletros, 65), Bergvall (Bargi, 85), Bernhardsson (Holm, 72), Gokeresch, Isak.
Switzerland: Kobel, Widmer (Jake, 74'), Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez, Freuler, Jaka, Rider (Sou, 59'), Ndoye, Embolo, Vargas (Manzambi, 84').
Kosovo - Slovenia 0:0
In Group D, the French national team defeated Azerbaijan 3-0 at home. Mbappé opened the scoring late in the first half, while in the second half, Rabiot and Thauvin's goals secured a convincing victory for the French. This result put France in a more reliable position as the group leader.
In another group match, Ukraine engaged in a real "shootout" with Iceland. Eight goals were scored in the match - the Ukrainians won 5-3, securing three crucial points on their way to the World Cup. Goals from Malinovsky and Gutsulyak lifted the spirits of the team, and in the second half, Kalyuzhny and Ocheretko consolidated the victory.
Group D. Round 3
France - Azerbaijan 3:0
Goals: Mbappé (45+2), Rabiot (69), Thauvin (84).
France: Menyan, Gusto, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez, Thuram, Rabiot (Camavinga, 71), Coman (Nkunku, 79), Olise (Akliouche, 71), Ekitike (Mateta, 80), Mbappé (Thauvin, 83).
Iceland - Ukraine 3:5
Goals: Ellertson (35), Gudmundsson (59, 75) - Malinovsky (14, 45+5), Gutsulyak (45), Kalyuzhny (85), Ocheretko (89).
In Group J, Belgium and North Macedonia agreed to a 0-0 draw in the leaders' match. This result left Belgium in second place, while Macedonia maintained the lead by one point.
Group J. Round 7
Belgium - Macedonia 0:0
Belgium: Courtois, Castagne (Meunier, 89'), Debas, Teate, De Kuiper (Seitz, 89'), Vanaken (Onana, 74'), Raskin, De Bruyne, Salemakers (Openda, 59'), Douco, Trossard (Fofana, 74').
Thus, after the next round of qualifying, Germany and France have consolidated their lead in their groups, Switzerland is confidently moving forward on the path to the World Cup, and Belgium is looking for a chance to take the lead in the next round.
Intense competition continues in European arenas - the competition for World Cup spots has only just begun to intensify.
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