The 12 teams finishing second in their respective groups will be joined by the four best teams from the Nations League that did not qualify in 1st or 2nd place in the Qualifiers, for a playoff that will secure four more spots.<\/p>\n
Group A<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea Germany 4 x 0 Luxembourg \ud83c\uddf1\ud83c\uddfa<\/strong><\/p>\n It was win or win to avoid getting into trouble.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n And Germany did what was expected of them at the PreZero Arena, home of Hoffenheim.<\/p>\n Gnabry scored as early as the fourth minute, but VAR confirmed a handball.<\/p>\n The first goal came from Raum, who took a free kick and benefited from a deflection off the wall (12′).<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf8 Alexander Hassenstein – 2025 Getty Images<\/p>\n Kimmich doubled the lead at 21′ after a penalty committed by Carlson \u2013 who was also sent off.<\/p>\n The rout was completed after the break. Gnabry succeeded at 48′ and Kimmich got his second by pouncing on a rebound in the box (50′).<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Germany reached six points after three games and took the lead thanks to Slovakia’s loss on goal difference.<\/p>\n \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\uddec Northern Ireland 2 x 0 Slovakia \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddf0<\/strong><\/p>\n The hosts took the lead with Hrosovsky, who scored an own goal (18′).<\/p>\n They extended the lead with Hume at 81′.<\/p>\n They reached six points but are second due to an inferior goal difference to Germany.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf8 PAUL FAITH – Afp or licensors<\/p>\n Slovakia \u2013 who started the round in first place \u2013 dropped to third.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Next matches<\/strong>: 10\/13 – Slovakia vs Luxembourg, Northern Ireland vs Germany<\/p>\n Group B<\/p>\n \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddea Sweden 0 x 2 Switzerland \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded<\/strong><\/p>\n The first half highlight was Bergvall.<\/p>\n He had a great chance after receiving a pass from Isak on a counter-attack.<\/p>\n But he stumbled over Trionda, the World Cup ball. It was just him and Sommer’s goal.<\/p>\n The missed chance by the Tottenham player proved costly, as Switzerland scored with Xhaka converting a penalty (65′).<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf8 JONATHAN NACKSTRAND – AFP or licensors<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Manzambi added another (94′).<\/p>\n This result kept the Swiss at 100% after three games.<\/p>\n Sweden remains with just one point and at the bottom of the group.<\/p>\n \ud83c\uddfd\ud83c\uddf0 Kosovo 0 x 0 Slovenia \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddee<\/strong><\/p>\n The home team didn’t even manage a shot on target.<\/p>\n Superior, Slovenia tried hard but lacked efficiency.<\/p>\n They reached two points, while their rivals moved up to four. That would secure a playoff spot.<\/p>\n Next matches<\/strong>: 10\/13 – Slovenia vs Switzerland and Sweden vs Kosovo<\/p>\n Group D<\/p>\n \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 France 3 x 0 Azerbaijan \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddff<\/strong><\/p>\n Mbapp\u00e9 received a “pass” from an opponent and almost opened the scoring after just 19 seconds.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The rest was a series of French attempts against a very defensive opponent.<\/p>\n The tension only eased when Mbapp\u00e9 dribbled past four defenders, was nearly blocked by Ekitike, but scored a beautiful goal (46′).<\/p>\n Scoring for the fifth consecutive match with France.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf8 FRANCK FIFE – AFP or licensors<\/p>\n “Chased” by PSG fans present at the Parc des Princes, Rabiot extended the lead after a precise cross from Mbapp\u00e9 (69′).<\/p>\n One minute after replacing the Real Madrid star, Thauvin scored a beautiful goal on his return to the national team after six years (84′).<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n France reached nine points, maintaining a perfect record after three matches. Azerbaijan has one.<\/p>\n \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf8 Iceland 3 x 5 Ukraine \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6<\/strong><\/p>\n Ukraine achieved a great away result in a direct battle for a likely playoff spot.<\/p>\n They went into halftime ahead after goals from Malinovskyi (14′ and 50′) and Gutsulyak (45′). The hosts only scored with Ellertsson (35′).<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf8 HARALDUR GUDJONSSON – AFP or licensors<\/p>\n They saw Fiorentina’s Gudmundsson score twice (59′ and 75′).<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n But Ukraine prevailed thanks to Kaliuzhnyi (85′) and Ocheretko (89′).<\/p>\n It was their first win, reaching four points. Iceland remains with three and now sits third.<\/p>\n Next matches<\/strong>: 10\/13 – Ukraine vs Azerbaijan and Iceland vs France<\/p>\n Group J<\/p>\n \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea Belgium 0 x 0 North Macedonia \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddf0<\/strong><\/p>\n Home advantage made no difference. Belgium wasted the chance to take the group lead.<\/p>\n Possession exceeded 80%. There were 25 attempts, but only five on target.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf8 VIRGINIE LEFOUR<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n It ended in a goalless draw, Belgium reached 11 points and remains in second place.<\/p>\n Leaders North Macedonia moved up to 12.<\/p>\n \ud83c\uddf0\ud83c\uddff Kazakhstan x Liechtenstein \ud83c\uddf1\ud83c\uddee<\/strong><\/p>\n This was the match that kicked off Friday’s Qualifiers.<\/p>\n Kenzhebek (26′ and 59′), Zaynutdinov (28′), and Kasym (81′) secured the Kazakh victory.<\/p>\n The “country of Borat” reached six points.\u00a0Liechtenstein remains pointless.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/d96cc48fa38472ddba46bcf9dbb48293.jpeg\"\/)
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