World Cup qualifying

6 Articles
Portugal Survive Late Drama To Beat Turkey And Stay On Track For FIFA World Cup

Portugal Survive Late Drama To Beat Turkey And Stay…

Portugal are through to a decisive World Cup qualifying play-off final next week after beating Turkey 3-1 in Porto on Thursday, but only after Burak Yilmaz missed a crucial late penalty for the visitors. The home side were cruising at the Estadio do Dragao thanks to first-half goals by Brazilian-born midfielder Otavio and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. But Turkey's veteran skipper Yilmaz pulled a goal back in the 65th minute, setting up a tense finish. Turkey were then awarded a late penalty when
Ronaldo nets hat-trick as Portugal rout Luxembourg

Ronaldo nets hat-trick as Portugal rout Luxembourg

A 58th career hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Portugal stroll to a 5-0 home win over Luxembourg in Group A of World Cup qualifying on Tuesday. The treble, which meant Ronaldo became the first man to net 10 international hat-tricks, takes his tally to 115 international goals from 182 caps as he continues to pull away as the top men's international goalscorer of all-time. Victory ensures Portugal remain a point behind leaders Serbia, who moved onto 17 points with a 3-1 home win

‘How embarrassing’: Germany suffer first World Cup qualifying loss…

Germany’s performance was dubbed “embarrassing” after they suffered their first World Cup qualifying defeat for 20 years in a humiliating 2-1 home loss to North Macedonia which heaped pressure on coach Joachim Loew. “The disappointment is huge,” said a crest-fallen Loew after the final whistle in Duisburg on Wednesday. “This is a set-back. There were a lot of mistakes and we didn’t find a way to break down the deep-standing North Macedonians. “We also let them counter-attack and had no grip on the
Griezmann strikes again as France labour to 1-0 win in Bosnia

Griezmann strikes again as France labour to 1-0 win…

SARAJEVO: Antoine Griezmann struck again as France extended their World Cup qualifying Group D lead to four points with an unconvincing 1-0 away win against Bosnia on Wednesday (Mar 31). Griezmann, who scored in last Wednesday's opening game against Ukraine, put the world champions on seven points from three games. Ukraine, who were held to a 1-1 home draw by Kazakhstan, have three points with Finland on two points from two matches. Bosnia, who have not won in their last 11 outings, lie
Lacklustre France held by Ukraine in opening World Cup qualifier

Lacklustre France held by Ukraine in opening World Cup…

PARIS: France kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign in unconvincing fashion as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Ukraine on Wednesday (Mar 24). Antoine Griezmann put the world champions in front in the first half with a brilliant strike, only for defender Presnel Kimpembe to hand the visitors a point with an own goal after the break. The result left Didier Deschamps's side and Ukraine level with Finland and Bosnia in Group D after they drew 2-2 in the
Belgium come from behind to beat Wales 3-1

Belgium come from behind to beat Wales 3-1

LEUVEN, Belgium: Belgium shrugged off an early scare to see off Wales 3-1 and make a winning start to their World Cup qualifying campaign on Wednesday. Harry Wilson gave Wales a surprise 10th-minute lead in their opening Group E match at Den Dreef in Leuven but the top-ranked Belgium came from behind to win the game with goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Thorgan Hazard and Romelu Lukaku. It continued the dominant performances in qualifying competition for Belgium, who won all 10 group games