On Sunday, Spain secured their spot in Euro 2024 with a 1-0 victory against Norway, simultaneously propelling Scotland into the next stage from Group A. Barcelona midfielder Gavi netted the sole goal in the early stages of the second half in Oslo, guiding Spain to qualification for next year's finals in Germany with two matches remaining. Additionally, Turkey joined the expanding list of qualifiers.
“We are very happy because the team has grown a lot and has a great future,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. “We have worked to get to this moment.”
Although they claimed the top spot in Group A based on goal difference, the outcome guaranteed Scotland's entry into the tournament. Norway, on the other hand, finds themselves five points behind, heading into their final match next month.
“When we qualified via the play-offs last time, we set ourselves a target of doing it automatically next time – so that’s the first mission accomplished,” said Scotland captain Andy Robertson.
Norway have not qualified for a major competition since Euro 2000, but a team featuring Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard still has hope of advancing to the play-offs.
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In the other match of that group, Georgia dominated Cyprus with a resounding 4-0 win. Turkey, capping off a momentous week after being named co-hosts of Euro 2032 with Italy, displayed a spectacular performance in the final minutes to secure a 4-0 victory against Latvia, thereby earning their spot in the finals.
Yunus Akgun opened the scoring just before the hour mark, while former Everton forward Cenk Tosun notched two late goals, sandwiched between a Kerem Akturkoglu strike, sealing a comprehensive victory for the Group D leaders.
Turkey maintains a comfortable six-point lead over Wales, who have now surpassed Croatia to claim the second spot. Harry Wilson played a pivotal role in Wales' 2-1 victory over last year's World Cup semi-finalists in Cardiff, scoring both goals.
In the second half, Wilson showcased his speed, outpacing the Croatian defense to elegantly loft in the opening goal. He then demonstrated his aerial prowess by redirecting a Dan James cross into the net for the second goal.
Mario Pasalic reduced the deficit but Wales now have control of their own destiny heading into the concluding rounds of qualifying games in November.
Croatia find themselves at risk of missing a major tournament for the first time since the 2010 World Cup after back-to-back defeats.
Switzerland needed two late goals at home to Belarus to rescue a 3-3 draw but surrendered first place in Group I to Romania.
Xherdan Shaqiri curled the Swiss ahead in St Gallen before Belarus, beaten 5-0 by the same opponents in March, levelled through Max Ebong.
Denis Polyakov nodded Belarus in front at a corner and the visitors looked on course for a shock win when Dmitri Antilevski struck a third in the 84th minute.
Manuel Akanji tapped in from a Shaqiri free-kick to spark the last-ditch comeback for the hosts as substitute Zeki Amdouni saved Switzerland’s blushes, scrambling in a 90th-minute equaliser.
Romania eased to a 4-0 victory over Andorra to move a point clear, but the Swiss have a game in hand after Thursday’s trip to Tel Aviv was postponed due to the war between Israel and Hamas.
Sunday’s match between Kosovo and Israel was also called off because of the conflict.
In Plzen, Tomas Soucek’s 76th-minute penalty earned the Czech Republic a narrow 1-0 win over the Faroe Islands, bumping his team up to second in Group E behind Albania.
Poland struggled in the absence of injured striker Robert Lewandowski and had to come from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Moldova in Warsaw.
The Poles are third in the section but have played a game more than the top two. They host the Czechs in a must-win game on November 17.
Seven of the 24 slots have now been filled. Germany qualified automatically as hosts while France, Portugal and Belgium all wrapped up their places on Friday.
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