Spain’s dominance in European football is on clear display as the continent’s World Cup qualifiers gather pace, while England finds its rhythm under Thomas Tuchel and France leans on Kylian Mbappé to steady its campaign. Established stars, emerging talents, and unexpected twists have made the first round of qualifying one of the most compelling weeks in recent memory.
Spain, Euro 2024 champions, continues to impress under Luis de la Fuente. Routine 3-0 victories, such as the one over Bulgaria, were complemented by a spectacular 6-0 triumph against Euro 2024 quarterfinalists Turkey in Istanbul. Midfielder Mikel Merino’s hat trick highlighted Spain’s depth, though 18-year-old Lamine Yamal contributed two assists, signalling the emergence of a promising new generation. “Spain looks balanced, young and still improving,” analysts note, with upcoming fixtures including a home clash against Georgia on October 11 expected to test the team further.
England, often criticised for underperforming in tournaments, silenced doubters with a resounding 5-0 win over Serbia in Belgrade. Tuchel described it as “a statement victory against a difficult opponent in a difficult environment.” The performance showcased impeccable coordination, including a notable second-goal build-up between Noni Madueke, Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers, who together have played just 19 matches for England’s senior side.
France navigated a more precarious path. Narrow 2-0 and 2-1 victories against Ukraine and Iceland were heavily influenced by Mbappé’s goals, moving him to 52 strikes for Les Bleus, just five behind Olivier Giroud’s all-time tally. Despite video-assisted saves denying Iceland a late equaliser, France’s reliance on its star forward remains evident.
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Elsewhere, Erling Haaland propelled Norway to an 11-1 demolition of Moldova, improving goal difference crucial in tightly contested groups. Italy, though claiming six points and ten goals in the same period, was embroiled in controversy when coach Gennaro Gattuso appeared on camera confronting an Israel player after a 5-4 win. Germany faced a rare setback, losing 2-0 to Slovakia—their first-ever away defeat in World Cup qualifiers, signalling potential playoff uncertainty.
Switzerland, following a Euro 2024 quarterfinal exit on penalties, demonstrated continued growth with dominant home wins over Kosovo (4-0) and Slovenia (3-0). Breel Embolo netted three of seven goals, while captain Granit Xhaka maintained midfield control. Qualification journeys for smaller nations, such as San Marino, appear nearly impossible, with the 210th-ranked side reliant on other teams’ failures to secure a playoff berth.
The European qualifiers, part of the expansive 48-team World Cup format, will eventually feed into a complex knockout round of 32, with seeding and placeholders ensuring that traditional powers and emerging sides alike are poised for dramatic match-ups in December’s tournament draw in Washington.
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