France are the second team from Europe to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Norway's ticket is now only theoretically up for grabs.
13.11.2025, 23:09
13.11.2025, 23:13
SDA
It was a long and arduous evening for the French at the Parc des Princes in Paris. The two-time world champions struggled against Ukraine - until Kylian Mbappé stepped up to take a penalty in the 55th minute and converted with ease. From then on, things went much better for the Equipe tricolore. Michael Olise, Mbappé again and Hugo Ekitiké, who was set up by his strike partner Mbappé for his first international goal, ensured an ultimately clear 4:0 victory that will finally secure Didier Deschamps' team's participation in next summer's World Cup.
Otherwise, no final decisions were made on Thursday evening, with Norway able to plan for the fourth World Cup appearance in its history. The Scandinavians beat Estonia 4:1 thanks to two doubles from Alexander Sörloth and Erling Haaland, while runners-up Italy also won a tough game in Moldova 2:0 thanks to two late goals and are three points behind the Norwegians ahead of the final direct duel on Sunday. However, the Azzurri have the significantly worse goal difference and will probably have to go into the play-offs.
Portugal, on the other hand, suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat in Ireland. Troy Parrott scored twice in the first half. After an assault on the hour mark, the Portuguese were also without icon Cristiano Ronaldo for the remainder of the game. However, the Lusitanians' faux pas is likely to have no major consequences. With a point on Sunday against bottom-placed Armenia, the Portuguese will most likely have their World Cup ticket in the bag, while Hungary and Ireland are likely to battle it out in a direct duel for a play-off spot.
Rankings and short telegrams
Group D
Ranking: 1. France 5/13 (13:3). 2. Iceland 5/7 (13:9). 3. Ukraine 5/7 (8:11). 4. Azerbaijan 5/1 (2:13).
Azerbaijan - Iceland 0:2 (0:2)
Baku. - SR Dabanovic (MNE). - Goals: 20 Gudmundsson 0:1. 39 Ingason 0:2.
France - Ukraine 4:0 (0:0)
Paris - referee Vincic (SLO). - Goals: 55. Mbappé (penalty) 1:0. 76. Olise 2:0. 83. Mbappé 3:0. 88. Ekitiké 4:0.
Group F
Ranking: 1. Portugal 5/10 (11:6). 2. Hungary 5/8 (9:7). 3. Ireland 5/7 (6:5). 4. Armenia 5/3 (2:10).
Armenia - Hungary 0:1 (0:1)
Yerevan. - SR Sanchez (ESP). - Goal: 33rd Varga 0:1.
Ireland - Portugal 2:0 (2:0)
Dublin. - SR Nyberg (SWE).- Goals: 17. Parrott 1:0. 45. Parrott 2:0. - Note: 61st red card against Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/assault).
Group I
Ranking: 1. Norway 7/21 (33:4). 2. Italy 7/18 (20:8). 3. Israel 7/9 (15-19). 4. Estonia 8/4 (8:21). 5. Moldova 7/1 (4:28).
Norway - Estonia 4:1 (0:0)
Oslo. - SR Jug (SLO). - Goals: 50. Sörloth 1:0. 52. Sörloth 2:0. 56. Haaland 3:0. 62. Haaland 4:0. 64. Saarma 4:1. - Remarks: Estonia without Käit (Thun/injury).
Moldova - Italy 0:2 (0:0)
Chisinau. - SR Balakin (UKR). - Goals: 88. Mancini 0:1. 93. Esposito 0:2.
Group K
Ranking: 1. England 7/21 (20:0). 2. Albania 7/14 (7-3). 3. Serbia 7/10 (7:9). 4. Latvia 7/5 (4:13). 5. Andorra 8/1 (3:16).
Andorra - Albania 0:1 (0:0)
Encamp. - SR Fesnic (ROU). - Goal: 67th Asllani 0:1.
England - Serbia 2:0 (1:0)
London. - Referee Kruzliak (SVK). - Goals: 28 Saka 1:0. 90 Eze 2:0.
