Norway sweeps Italy, Belgium s last-minute goal prevents North Macedonia

Ellyn Haaland and his teammates hold a perfect record. Croatia, Wales, the Czech Republic and Israel also achieved important victories.

Friday FIFA 26 World Cup European Qualifiers

Norway shocked Italy and maintained their perfect record in the FIFA 26th™ World Cup Qualifiers. Meanwhile, Belgium was tied by North Macedonia and Croatia defeated Gibraltar with 7 points. Wales, the Czech Republic and Israel also achieved important victories. Please read the following summary of all six UEFA qualifiers on Friday. How Qualifications Work

The first round will be based on the familiar match system, divided into 12 groups, 4 to 5 teams per group, and the division champion will receive a World Cup seat. The remaining four seats on the continent will then be identified in the UEFA play-offs of 16 teams, including 12 second-placed teams and four top-ranked UEFA National League champions.

Group 1

Norway 3-0 Italy

Goals: Alexander Solos (14), Antonio Noosa (34), Ellin Haaland (42)

Norway performed well in Oslo defeating Italy. The home team took the lead early, with Alexander Solos scoring, and then Antonio Noosa's goalkeeper advantage doubled. Erlin Haaland rewrites the score to 3-0 in the 42nd minute, bypassing Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donaruma and then slides the ball into the empty goal

Italy is competing for the first game of the qualifiers, with Norway easily winning after halftime and they can't find a way to get back into the game. Starler Solbaken’s team now has 3 wins in Group I.

Estonia 1-3 Israel

Estonian scorers: Matthias Kate (31) Israeli goal scorers: Dan Beaton (39, 49), Mohamed Abu Fani (89 penalty kick)

Israel surpassed Estonia to rise to second place after Dan Beaton's brace helped the team achieve an impressive reversal victory. Mattias Kate opened the first record for Estonia with a beautiful 15-yard shot in the middle of the first half. But Israel equalized the score just eight minutes later, Door Tegman inspired a personal attack, and he tied the ball and Beaton easily got into the net from close range. Shortly after the second half restarted, Beaton cleverly controlled Solomon Manor's left-wing cross and sent the ball into the goal to help the visiting team take the lead. Mohamed Abu Fani scored a three-pointer with a beautiful penalty in the 89th minute. It was a huge encouragement for Israel as Italy has been completely defeated by Norway, while Estonia was a tough setback as they hosted the hot Scandinavians at home on Monday.

Group J

North Macedonia 1-1 Belgium

North Macedonia scorer: Ezjan Arioski (86) Belgian goal scorer: Maxim DeCooper (28)

Belgium had a poor start in the World Cup qualifiers, and Ezjan Arioski scored an outrageous volley in the 86th minute, locking a deserved point for North Macedonia.

Maxim DeCooper helped the visiting team to take the lead in the 28th minute when Romelu Lukaku's shot bounced to his route and he easily volleyed with his left foot. North Macedonia thinks they equalized shortly after the second half restart, but Erjiv Elmas's shot was judged to be offside first. However, Arioski's wonderful first shot at the end of the game consolidated North Macedonia's second place position.

This was an unexpected blow to Rudy Garcia's team, who were catching up in the group. Belgium will host No. 1 Wales at home on Monday.

Welsh 3-0 Liechtenstein

Goals: Joe Roden (39), Harry Wilson (65), Kiefer Moore (68)

Welsh continued their encouraging start in the qualifiers, finally defeating the hardworking Liechtenstein to head to Belgium next week with 7 of 9 points. The home team was frustrated by a series of saves by Liechtenstein goalkeeper Benjamin Bucher before Joe Roden received a corner kick from Solba Thomas to score his 53rd national goal. Harry Wilson and Kiefer Moore scored a nice night for Craig Bellamy's side.

L Group

Czech Republic 2-0 Montenegro

Target: Adam Hlozek (23), Patrick Hick (65)

Czech Republic remained unbeaten in the qualifiers after defeating second-ranked Montenegro 2-0. Winter Adam Helozek calmly scored after cutting from the wing, opening the first record. Minutes later, Milan Vukotic thought he had tied the score, but his shot was judged to be offside. After the break, Czech star forward Patrick Hick inevitably added his name to the goal list, and he skillfully headed the ball into the far corner with a cross from the near post. The Leverkusen center nearly scored the third goal for the Czech Republic, but Igor Nikic's reaction save blocked his close header. Czech Republic will test their unbeaten record against Group L's favorite Croatia on June 9.

Gibraltar 0-7 Croatia

Objectives: Mario Passalic (28), Ante Budimir (30), Franjo Ivanovich (60,63), Ivan Perisic (73), Andrei Kramalic (77,79)

Croatia kicked off their qualifying journey with a convincing victory over Gibraltar. The home team remained solid in the opening 25 minutes, but Croatia then took control with Mario Passalic and Ante Budimir's successive goals. Franjo Ivanovic scored his third goal in Croatia an hour into the game and scored his second goal and his fourth goal in a short time.

Evergreen Ivan Perisic then scored a goal, scoring his 35th national team goal in his 143rd appearance before Andre Kramalic scored twice in the final moments.