Within the framework of the 2026 World Cup qualifying stage, several European national teams took to the field, giving fans a day full of goals.
The Portugal national team achieved a hard-fought victory over Ireland. In the final minutes of the match, Rúben Neves scored with an accurate strike, bringing his team an important three points — 1:0. Interestingly, Cristiano Ronaldo failed to convert a penalty in this match.
Portugal — Ireland 1:0
Goal: Neves (90+1).
Portugal: Costa, Dalot (Trincão, 62), Dias, Inácio (Veiga, 46), Mendes, Neves, Vitinha (Semedo, 61), Neto (Leão, 61), Fernandes (Ramos, 86), Silva, Ronaldo.
Ireland: Kelleher, O’Brien, Collins, O’Shea, Coleman (Egan, 86), Cullen, Molumby, Manning, Ebosele (Johnston, 74), Ogbene (Smallbone, 77), Ferguson (Parrott, 78).
At the same time, Italy confidently defeated Estonia away with a score of 3:1. Goals from Kean, Retegui, and Esposito brought the “Azzurri” another important victory.
Estonia — Italy 1:3
Goals: Sappinen (76) — Kean (4), Retegui (38), Esposito (74).
Estonia: Hein, Peetson, Pakkots, Kuusk (Mets, 62), Salitse (Sinyavsky, 46), Palumets (Larsen, 46), Soomets, Käit, Shein, Saarma, Tamm (Sappinen, 62).
Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Orsolini (Cambiaso, 62), Barella (Frattesi, 77), Tonali, Dimarco, Kean (Esposito, 15), Raspadori (Spinazzola, 62), Retegui (Cristante, 77).
The biggest result of the day came from Turkey — Stefan Kuntz’s team crushed Bulgaria 6:1. The goals were scored by Güler, Yıldız (twice), Çelik, and Kaveci, while one ball went into the net as an own goal by Popov.
Bulgaria — Turkey 1:6
Goals: Kirilov (13) — Güler (11), Popov (own goal, 49), Yıldız (51, 56), Çelik (65), Kaveci (90+3).
Bulgaria: Mitov, Popov (Turitsov, 63), Hristov, Bojinov, Petrov, Petkov (Dimitrov, 64), Stayanov, Krayev, Kirilov (Petkov, 73), Chochayev (Krasev, 72), Despodov (Minchev, 64).
Turkey: Çakır, Çelik, Demiral, Bardakçı, Kadıoğlu, Çalhanoğlu (Özcan, 63), Kökçü, Aydın, Güler (Uzun, 69), Yıldız (Kaveci, 63), Aktürkoğlu.
Spain, in turn, also showed a confident game — defeating Georgia 2:0. Goals from Pino and Oyarzabal brought the “Red Fury” to the top of Group E.
Spain — Georgia 2:0
Goals: Pino (24), Oyarzabal (64).
Spain: Simón, Porro (Llorente, 75), Norman, Cubarsí, Cucurella, Merino, Zubimendi (García, 81), Pedri (Barrios, 74), Torres, Oyarzabal (Iglesias, 65), Pino (Baena, 64).
Georgia: Mamardashvili, Kakabadze (Azarovi, 80), Goglichidze, Kashia, Dvali, Gocholeishvili, Kiteishvili (Gognidze, 69), Kochorashvili, Mekvabishvili (Mamuchashvili, 86), Mikautadze (Kvernadze, 69), Kvaratskhelia (Davitashvili, 69).
Current standings:
— In Group F, Portugal leads with 9 points, while Ireland is 4th with 1 point;
— In Group I, Italy holds 2nd place with 12 points, Estonia is 4th with 3 points;
— In Group E, Spain leads with 9 points, Turkey follows with 6, Georgia is 3rd with 3, and Bulgaria remains last with 0.
This round of European qualification was remembered not only for its results but also for Ronaldo’s rare miss and Turkey’s spectacular goal fireworks. Fans now look forward to more thrilling matches in the next rounds.
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