AFCON 2025
On Monday, March 24, 2025, six European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place, delivering a mix of expected outcomes and closely contested matches.
Here’s a comprehensive roundup of the day’s action:
England 3-0 Latvia
At Wembley Stadium, England secured a 3-0 victory over Latvia, marking Thomas Tuchel’s second win as head coach. Reece James opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a stunning 25-yard free-kick, his first international goal.
Captain Harry Kane doubled the lead in the 68th minute, converting a close-range finish from Declan Rice’s pass. Substitute Eberechi Eze sealed the win in the 76th minute with a deflected shot, also his first senior international goal.
This result places England at the top of Group K with six points.
Lithuania 2-2 Finland
In a thrilling encounter at S. Darius and S. Girėnas Stadium in Kaunas, Lithuania and Finland played to a 2-2 draw.
Finland took an early lead with goals from Kaan Kairinen in the 3rd minute and a penalty by Joel Pohjanpalo in the 17th minute.
Lithuania responded with goals from A. Kučys in the 39th minute and G. Gineitis in the 69th minute, ensuring a share of the points.
Albania 3-0 Andorra
Albania dominated Andorra with a 3-0 victory at Air Albania Stadium in Tirana. Rey Manaj scored twice, netting in the 9th and 19th minutes, while Myrto Uzuni added a third goal in stoppage time.
This win marks Albania’s first in Group K, following their earlier defeat to England.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-1 Cyprus
At Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a 2-1 win over Cyprus. Ermedin Demirović opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, and Haris Hajradinović extended the lead in the 56th minute.
Cyprus’s Ioannis Pittas pulled one back in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough to alter the outcome.
Poland 2-0 Malta
Poland continued their strong start in Group G with a 2-0 victory over Malta at PGE Narodowy in Warsaw. Karol Świderski was the hero, scoring both goals in the 27th and 51st minutes. This win places Poland at the top of their group with six points from two matches.
San Marino 1-5 Romania
Romania delivered a commanding 5-1 win over San Marino at Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle. Despite a goal from San Marino’s Simone Zannoni in the 67th minute, Romania’s superior quality shone through as they secured a comprehensive victory.
These results have begun to shape the group standings as teams vie for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. England and Poland, in particular, have made strong starts, each securing two wins from their opening matches.
