Qualifications, nerves and surprises in the penultimate stage of the WC preliminaries » Cristiano Ronaldo, eliminated in a match with an unpredictable result even at… Metaloglobus
Article by Cosmin Nistor, Mihai Șovei – Published on Thursday, 13 November 2025 23:57 / Updated on Friday, 14 November 2025 00:03
The penultimate group stage of the 2026 World Championship Preliminaries ended today, with surprising results, but also with the establishment of new mathematically qualified national teams at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
France, the second team qualified for the World Cup
France secured World Cup qualification after a 4-0 win over Ukraine and top Group D with 13 points.
In the other group game, Iceland cruised past Azerbaijan 2-0 and benefited from Ukraine's misstep. Iceland and Ukraine will battle it out in the final round for the 2nd place leading to the play-off, both having 7 points going into the head-to-head match. The Icelanders, with a superior goal difference, start with the advantage in the event of a draw.
Cristiano Ronaldo, direct elimination and flurry of unsportsmanlike gestures in the Dublin surprise Hungary still hopes for direct qualification
Hungary secured an important 1-0 win away to Armenia, keeping them in the race for direct qualification.
In the other group game, Portugal needed a draw but surprisingly went down 0-2 to Ireland. In the same match, Cristiano Ronaldo was eliminated after a naked gesture. (DETAILS).
Following these results, Hungary still mathematically hopes for the first position, but at the same time risks losing the 2nd place in the last round!
Moldova, 87 great minutes against Italy!
Norway decisively defeated Estonia, score 4-1, and remains with maximum points in the group, starting with the first chance before the direct duel with Italy, scheduled in the last stage.
Italy barely passed Moldova, score 2-0, after the Moldovans heroically resisted until the 87th minute.
England qualifies for the World Cup, Albania goes to the playoffs, Serbia stays at home!
In Group K, things are clear. England have 21 points from a possible total and became the first European national team mathematically qualified for the 2026 World Cup, even before the game.
The fight for second place was decided: Albania beat Andorra, the “red torch” of the group, 1-0, and won the distant duel with Serbia for 2nd place.
FINAL » Azerbaijan – Iceland 0-2
FINAL » France – Ukraine 4-0
FINAL » Armenia – Hungary 0-1
FINAL » Ireland- Portugal 2-0
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Click HERE for statistics
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mark: Parrott 17', 45'
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In the 61st minuteCristiano Ronaldo was sent off after elbowing the opponent.
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broadcasting: Digi Sport 2, Prima Sport 2
FINAL » Norway – Estonia 4-1
FINAL » Moldova – Italy 0-2
FINAL » England – Serbia 2-0
FINAL » Andorra – Albania 0-1
