The line-up of teams qualified for the next World Cup in 2026 is beginning to be determined: Croatia also secures passage, thanks to a 3-1 upset victory at home against the Faroe Islands (whose dream of a play-off is extinguished). Germany is also close to the target, which after a complicated first half defeats Luxembourg 2-0. Only the goal difference keeps the Netherlands waiting, which draws 1-1 with Poland and effectively takes them to the play-offs.
GROUP A
Germany takes a risk, but by defeating Luxembourg 2-0 they secure themselves a "match point" for qualification to the World Cup. The Germans, after a difficult first half, manage to unblock the match with Woltemade in the 49th minute. The Newcastle striker repeats himself twenty minutes later, when he uses Baku's assist for the final 2-0. A simple draw against Slovakia will be enough for Nagelsmann's team, which nevertheless remains stuck on 12 points, tied with the Germans. Calzona's boys defeat Northern Ireland 1-0 thanks to Bobcek's goal in the 91st minute and give themselves the opportunity to try to snatch first place from Germany on the last day of the group. The two losers of the evening, Luxembourg and Northern Ireland, remain out of the competition with 6 points.
GROUP G
Only the arithmetic of goal difference makes the Netherlands wait, which thanks to the draw in Poland's field remains +3 points precisely against the national team led by Urban with only one match remaining. The Poles surprise in the first half by unlocking the match with Kaminski's goal in the 43rd minute, then at the beginning of the second half the eternal Depay puts things in place for the "Oranges". With +19, Koeman's boys are calm for the first place, even in the event of a possible defeat to Lithuania (Poland "only" at +6). In the next match of the group, Malta's achievement, which defeats Finland 1-0 with Grech's goal in the 81st minute and the Scandinavians' play-off hopes are extinguished.
GROUP L
The official qualifier of the evening is Croatia, thanks to a 3-1 home win against the Faroe Islands. The friendly national team continues to surprise and takes the lead in the 16th minute with David Turi, then Gvardiol (23'), Musa (57') and the "Turinezi" Vlaši? (70') pull the locals towards the next World Cup. With this loss, the dream of the play-offs for the Faroe Islands is extinguished, with the Czech Republic now assured of second place. In the challenge between the two teams at the bottom of the group, Montenegro defeats Gibraltar 2-1 on the move, with the friends who, after the goal conceded by Jessop (20'), overturn it thanks to two Serie A players, Adzic (33') and Krstovic (42', with a penalty).
Evening results
Group A
Luxembourg 0-2 Germany
Slovakia 1-0 Northern Ireland
Group G
Finland 0-1 Malta
Poland 1-1 Netherlands
Group L
Croatia 3-1 Faroe Islands
Gibraltar 1-2 Montenegro