England Secures 2026 World Cup Spot; Portugal Left Waiting After Draw
England clinched their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 5-0 victory over Latvia, while Portugal was left to ponder their fate after a last-gasp draw against Hungary in a night filled with drama across Europe.
Thomas Tuchel’s England continued their perfect run in Group K, securing six wins from six matches and establishing an unassailable seven-point lead over second-placed Albania. Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in Riga before Harry Kane showcased his clinical finishing with two goals, including a penalty that further solidified his status as one of football’s elite. An own goal from Maksims Tonisevs and a fifth from Eberechi Eze rounded out a dominant display, allowing England to shift their focus to the World Cup draw in December.
“It comes rarely that you qualify for a World Cup, so the mood is very, very good,” Tuchel remarked after the match, reflecting the optimism within the squad.
In contrast, Portugal’s qualification remains uncertain after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Hungary, despite leading in stoppage time. The match started with Hungary taking an early lead through Attila Szalai, only for Cristiano Ronaldo to respond with a brace, including a record-breaking 143rd international goal. However, Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai equalized in injury time, leaving Portugal five points clear of Hungary but still needing to secure their spot with two games remaining.
Meanwhile, Italy’s crucial clash with Israel was marred by protests related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with clashes reported between demonstrators and police outside the stadium. Despite the tense atmosphere, Italy secured a vital 3-0 victory, with Mateo Retegui scoring twice, alongside a late goal from Gianluca Mancini. The win keeps Italy’s hopes alive as they aim to qualify for the World Cup after missing the last two editions.
Spain also continued their impressive form, dispatching Bulgaria 4-0 in Valladolid. Mikel Merino scored twice, showcasing his scoring prowess, while Atanas Chernev’s own goal and a late penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal secured the emphatic victory. Spain now sits three points clear of Turkey, who defeated Georgia 4-1, with both teams eyeing a spot in next year’s finals.
