Norway on the cusp of the final, England one victory after Serbia's defeat

Norway are on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after beating Israel 5-0 on Saturday thanks to an Erling Haaland hat-trick.

Denied by Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz twice from the penalty spot Shortly after the referee ordered his initial effort to be resumed, Haaland doubled Norway's lead with a right-footed finish after Anan Khalaili's own goal had given the hosts the lead.

Another own goal, this time from Idan Nachmias, made it 3-0 as Peretz's clearance bounced off the defender and into the net.

Haaland then made history with two headers to complete his hat-trick, with the Manchester City striker reaching 51 goals in 46 appearances for his country.

With this tally, Haaland became the fastest player to score 50 or more goals for his country, breaking Harry Kane's record of 50 in 71 for England.

Norway will not play another qualifying match until November. However, six points ahead of Italy in Group I with a huge goal difference of 26, Norway will be almost certain of a place in the final for the first time since 1998 if they beat Estonia next month, or if Italy lose at home to Israel on Tuesday.

Estonia 1-3 Italy

Italy made it three wins from three under Gennaro Gattuso to keep their hopes of automatic qualification alive.

Moise Kean opened the scoring in the fourth minute when he latched onto Federico DiMarco's ball and curled into the bottom corner, although Kean came off 11 minutes later with an ankle injury.

Mateo Retegui saw a penalty saved by Karl Hein on the half-hour mark, but eight minutes later the striker atoned for the failure by scoring for the first time following Riccardo Orsolini's withdrawal.

Francesco Pio Esposito's opening Italian goal strengthened the Azzurri's command in the 74th minute, although the three-goal gap was short-lived when Gianluigi Donnarumma spilled a cross, allowing Rauno Sappinen to pull a goal back.

But that was only consolation, and Italy can move to within three points of Norway by beating Israel. Gattuso will be without central defender Alessandro Bastoni, who was suspended after the central defender was booked by Inter Milan.

Spain 2-0 Georgia

Spain's Iberian neighbors Portugal needed a 91st-minute winner from Ruben Neves to beat Ireland 1-0. Portugal are five points ahead of Hungary, who beat Armenia 2-0 in Group H. They will qualify on Tuesday if they beat Hungary and Armenia fail to win against Ireland.

La Roja are on course to qualify just as comfortably.

Yeremy Pino put Spain on the path to a routine victory over Georgia when he was called upon after Robin Le Normand put Pedri's cross into his path in the 24th minute.

Ferran Torres failed to convert from the penalty spot five minutes later, but Mikel Oyarzabal's powerful free kick in the 64th minute made it three wins from three.

Spain are three points ahead of Turkey, who beat Bulgaria 6-1, at the top of Group E. They will effectively be assured of qualification on Tuesday if they beat Bulgaria on Tuesday and Turkey loses to Georgia.

Serbia 0-1 Albania

England will book their ticket to the final on Tuesday with a victory against Latvia after Serbia lost at home in Belgrade.

Rey Manaj scored what proved to be the winner for Albania in first-half stoppage time when he struck a right-footed volley.

Albania sit second in Group K, four points behind England after playing a game more. The Three Lions will take an unassailable seven-point lead at the top with victory in Latvia, who were held to a 2-2 draw by minnows Andorra on Saturday.