AFCON 2025
The race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensified on Monday night as European qualifiers produced goals, upsets, and crucial points across the continent.
In Group C, Scotland kept their hopes alive with a hard-fought 2–0 win over Belarus. Che Adams opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before a second-half own goal sealed the points in Hungary, where Belarus are playing their home fixtures.
Steve Clarke’s side now sit on four points, level with Denmark, who impressed with a commanding 3–0 away win against Greece in Athens.
Croatia delivered the night’s most emphatic result, sweeping aside Montenegro 4–0 in Group L. Andrej Kramarić was once again on the scoresheet, underlining his status as the competition’s top scorer with six goals so far. Elsewhere in the group, the Faroe Islands edged Gibraltar 1–0 in a tight contest.
The evening’s most thrilling encounter came in Group I, where Italy edged Israel 5–4 in a nine-goal rollercoaster. Sandro Tonali struck late to secure the Azzurri’s second win of the campaign in a match filled with attacking flair and defensive lapses.
There was also a major upset in Group B, as Kosovo stunned Sweden with a 2–0 home victory, while Switzerland cruised past Slovenia 3–0 to maintain their momentum.
The results leave several groups finely poised. Denmark and Scotland are neck and neck in Group C, while Spain remain dominant in Group E after their weekend hammering of Turkey. In Group I, Norway stay top despite Italy’s dramatic win, and in Group G, the Netherlands and Poland continue to share control.
