Spain and Switzerland end campaigns unbeaten while Belgium and Romania record big wins

There have been 10 matches on Tuesday because the group stage of European qualifying got here to an in depth

Spain maintained their unbeaten run in World Cup 2026 qualifying as they drew 2-2 with Turkey to finish the marketing campaign as group winners.

The European champions have been hoping to make it six wins from six and thought they have been on their solution to reaching that after Dani Olmo put them forward after simply 4 minutes in Seville.

The guests hit again by way of Deniz Gul shortly earlier than half-time earlier than taking the lead after the break courtesy of Salih Ozcan.

However any hopes of a memorable Turkish victory have been quashed when Mikel Oyarzabal netted the equaliser on 62-minutes as La Roja look in direction of subsequent summer time, whereas Turkey head to the playoffs.

The opposite match in Group E noticed Bulgaria overcome Georgia 2-1 in Sofia.

Switzerland additionally ended their marketing campaign with out defeat following a 1-1 attract Kosovo.

Ruben Vargas gave the guests the lead two minutes after half-time however Florent Muslija levelled for the hosts, who will carry their hopes of qualification into the playoffs.

Within the different sport in Group B, Sweden introduced their dismal marketing campaign to an in depth with a 1-1 stalemate towards Slovenia.

Graham Potter’s facet fell behind to a Timi Max Elsnik objective however equalised by way of Gustav Lundgren with three minutes remaining.

Sweden completed backside of the group, with out recording a single victory throughout their six matches. Nonetheless, they’ll have a shot at redemption within the playoffs courtesy of their Nations League group win.

With Wales successful massive in Cardiff, solely a shock defeat to Liechtenstein would see Belgium give up their grip on high spot in Group J.

Because it was, they comfortably dispatched their opponents with Manchester Metropolis’s Jeremy Doku bagging a brace in a 7-0 thrashing.

Charles De Ketelaere additionally scored twice, whereas objectives from Hans Vanaken, Brandon Mechele and AlexisSaelemaekers accomplished the rout.

In Group H, Romania ended their marketing campaign with a powerful 7-1 demolition of San Marino.

The guests took a shock lead after simply two minutes however have been undone courtesy of seven totally different goalscorers – though two have been personal objectives – because the hosts romped to victory.

Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina, who clinched first and second place, respectively, performed out a 1-1 attract Vienna.

The Group C conflict between Belarus and Greece resulted in a goalless stalemate, a sport in stark distinction to Scotland’s thrilling 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park that secured a primary look for the Tartan Military at a males’s World Cup finals since 1998.

Who’re the groups within the European playoffs?

The 16 groups will function the 12 group runners-up plus the 4 best-ranked groups from the earlier Nations League marketing campaign who failed to complete within the high two of their qualifying group.

They are going to battle it out for the 4 remaining European spots at subsequent summer time’s World Cup, with the draw happening on Thursday 20 November.

Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine.

Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia.

Pot 3: Republic of Eire, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo.

Pot 4: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Eire.

The groups in Pot 1 will play a one-off sport at house to these in Pot 4, whereas the groups in Pot 2 will likely be at house to these in Pot 3.

The winners of every semi-final go right into a one-legged last.

The matches will likely be held in March 2026, with the semi-finals on 26 March and the finals on 31 March.

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