SOCCER - WORLD CUP - 2026
USA, CANADA, MEXICO
2025
Qualifier - Albania (0) @ (2) England - England's new manager Thomas Tuchel started his reign with a tight win at Wembley. England dominated the stats (75% possession, 12 shots on goal) and only needed 1 goal in each half from Myles Lewis-Skelly (his first for England) and captain Harry Kane to take the win. Tuchel also gave a first cap to Newcastle defender Dan Burn (9, 2 Discs, ITV - Matterface/Dixon, PAL)
Qualifier - Latvia (0) @ (3) England - England continued their unbeaten run in qualification with a hard-fought win at Wembley against a defensive-minded Latvian team. England dominated the stats (74 % possession, 27 shots on goal) but Latvia defended heroically and managed to keep England to only 1-0 until the 68th minute before tiring and giving up 2 goals. The England goals came from Reece James, a superb free-kick, captain Harry Kane and Eberechi Eze with his first England goal (9, 2 Discs, ITV - Matterface/Dixon, PAL)
Qualifier - England (5) @ (0) Serbia - England finally put together a complete game under manager Thomas Tuchel, overcoming a strong Serbia team at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade. England dominated from the start and built on a 2-0 lead at the half with 3 more goals in the 2nd half to move 7 points clear at the top of the qualification table. England had the edge in the stats too, with 70% possession and out-shooting Serbia 24 to 3. The England goals came from Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi and Marcus Rashford (9, 2 Discs, ITV - Matterface/Dixon, PAL)
Qualifier - Denmark (2) @ (4) Scotland - In a sensational game, Scotland ended a 28-year wait for qualification to the World Cup with an emotional win at Hampden Park. Scotland needed to win to qualify, while Denmark only needed a draw. Twice Scotland led in the game, and twice Denmark pegged them back, and as the game entered injury time at the end of the game, the score was tied at 2-2. But Scotland then scored 2 fantastic goals in 3 minutes to turn the game in their favour and to send the crowd crazy. The Scotland goals came from Scott McTominay (a sensational overhead kick), Lawrence Shankland, Kieran Tierney (a brilliant curling shot from outside the area) and Kenny McLean (an outrageous shot from the halfway line with the last kick of the game). The Denmark goals came from Rasmus Hojlund and Patrick Dorgu (9, No pre-game or half-time, 2 Discs, BBC - Mcleod/McFadden/Thompson, PAL)