Category sport-news

Harry Kane scored twice as England secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a 5-0 thrashing of Latvia on Tuesday.

Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in Riga before Kane took his tally for club and country this season to 21 goals in 13 games.

A Maksims Tonisevs own-goal and Eberechi Eze’s strike rounded off the scoring as the Three Lions guaranteed top spot in Group K of UEFA qualifying with two games to spare.

Thomas Tuchel has completed his first task with ease as his side became the first European nation to qualify.

England have won all six of their qualifiers since the German took charge, scoring 18 goals without conceding.

“It comes rarely that you qualify for a World Cup, so the mood is very, very good,” said Tuchel. “In the dressing room, it’s all smiles, music. It’s a moment to enjoy because it’s a special moment.”

After a slow start to Tuchel’s reign with unconvincing victories over Albania and Andorra, plus a friendly defeat to Senegal in June, England have clicked into gear over the past two international breaks.

“Of course we expect us to win against Latvia, but the way we won first of all gives us a lot of satisfaction,” added Tuchel.

“We did it six out of six wins, six clean sheets. We are there and to have this feeling is a very unique feeling.”

Tuchel’s decision to leave out fit-again Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden from his squad this month was questioned.

But the former Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss has been rewarded for implementing continuity with his selection.

Gordon is one of those to benefit from a run of games on the left of a front three.

The Newcastle winger opened the floodgates when he cut inside to curl into the far corner for just his second England goal on 26 minutes.

‘Building Momentum’

Kane had uncharacteristically missed a glorious early chance when he steered a Gordon cross wide.

The Bayern Munich striker soon found his range with two goals in four minutes at the end of the first half to take his international tally to 76 in 110 caps.

Despite losing his balance, Kane steered a shot into the far corner off his weaker left foot to double England’s lead.

Kane then accepted the gift of a soft penalty award for holding of his shirt by Latvia captain Antonijs Cernomordijs.

“I spoke before about building momentum, no matter who we play,” said Kane.

“We hold on to that. Hold on to winning games, to clean sheets, to pressing high, scoring goals and we’ve done all of that.”

England were able to coast through the second period despite five substitutions disrupting the visitors’s attacking flow.

The fourth goal was a self-inflicted blow by Latvia as the ball looped into his own net off Tonisevs after goalkeeper Krisjanis Zviedris failed to connect with Djed Spence’s cross.

Eze was one of those introduced after the break and the Arsenal playmaker rounded off the scoring with a fine run and finish on 86 minutes.

England have not failed to qualify for a World Cup since it was last in the USA back in 1994.

The hard work for Tuchel now starts in trying to deliver his adopted nation’s first major trophy since 1966.

Hard decisions lie ahead with Bellingham, Foden, Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer among those not even in the travelling squad to Riga.

South Africa, Ivory Coast and Senegal all won convincingly on Tuesday to fill the last three automatic places reserved for Africa at the 2026 World Cup.

Senegal were the most impressive winners, hammering Mauritania 4-0, while Ivory Coast beat Kenya 3-0 and South Africa were also 3-0 winners, against Rwanda.

The trio will join Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia at the global showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Nigeria kept alive hopes of swelling the African representation to 10 nations by finishing as the four best-ranked runners-up.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Thrash Benin 4-0, Secure World Cup Play-Off Spot

They will meet in two single-match semi-finals and a final in Morocco during November and the winners advance to inter-continental play-offs in March with two World Cup places up for grabs.

Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane scored just before and after half-time for Group B table-toppers Senegal, with Iliman Ndiaye and Habib Diallo also netting for the Teranga Lions.

Senegal finished with 24 points, two more than DR Congo, who edged Sudan 1-0 in Kinshasa through a Theo Bongonda goal.

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo completed the scoring for the Ivory Coast, who led from the seventh minute in a convincing triumph over Kenya in Abidjan.

Franck Kessie put the reigning African champions ahead and Yan Diomande added the second goal soon after half-time.

Ivory Coast topped Group F with 26 points, one more than Gabon. Gambia overwhelmed the Seychelles 7-0 to come third.

Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis scored for South Africa in the first half and Evidence Makgopa sealed victory with a goal midway through the second period in Mbombela.

South Africa topped Group C with 18 points, one more than Nigeria, who hammered third-placed Benin 4-0 in Uyo with Victor Osimhen claiming a hat-trick.

It will be the fourth appearance by South Africa at the global showpiece. They qualified for the 1998 and 2002 tournaments and were automatic participants in 2010 as the host nation.

 ‘Amazing feeling’

Belgium-born South Africa coach Hugo Broos was thrilled as he represented his country as a player at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and wanted to coach a team at the tournament before retiring.

“We all knew that we could do it, we believed in ourselves. We are going to the World Cup and it is fantastic,” said the 73-year-old.

“In the last three years we changed players and every time it was the right choice. What happened tonight is the work of three years and the future looks very bright for South African football.

“We have the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco during December and then the World Cup. There are no words to express how I feel.”

Winger Appollis was voted player of the match after scoring and creating the other goals as South Africa regained their scoring touch after failing to find the net in a draw with Zimbabwe last Friday.

“What an amazing feeling for the group going to the World Cup. I am so happy for the boys,” he told reporters.

“I know we had a draw in our last game, but I knew that we would come here to Mbombela tonight and win.”

Qualification was a huge relief for South Africa, who saw a five-point lead with four rounds remaining turn into a two-point deficit behind Benin entering the final round.

South Africa dropped points in home draws with Nigeria and Zimbabwe and forfeited three points for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena in a victory over Lesotho.

South Africa needed to beat Rwanda and hope Nigeria defeated Benin, and that is what transpired with the home teams making dream starts.

Nigeria were ahead within three minutes through Osimhen while Mbatha scored the first South African goal with just five minutes gone.

A snap shot from Appollis midway through the opening half put South Africa in control and Rwanda spent most of the match on the back foot.

Makgopa, a late call-up in place of the injured Iqraam Rayners, headed into the net off a corner on 72 minutes to complete the scoring.

Osimhen netted a second time before half-time and completed his hat-trick six minutes into the second half. An added-time goal from Frank Onyeka completed the rout.

Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo became the top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying history at the age of 40 on Tuesday against Hungary.

Ronaldo netted his 40th and 41st qualifying goals, overtaking retired Guatemala international Carlos Ruiz, who scored 39 between 1998 and 2016.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner levelled for Portugal against Hungary in a 2026 World Cup qualifier after 22 minutes by finishing from Nelson Semedo’s cross.

Ronaldo pounced again before half-time after being set up by Nuno Mendes to give Portugal a 2-1 lead at the break.

If Roberto Martinez’s side had gone on to win they would have qualified for next summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

However, Dominik Szoboszlai struck in stoppage time to make Portugal wait and boost his nation’s hopes of making it to the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi have congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their emphatic 4–0 victory over Benin Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Although the win was not enough to earn the Eagles automatic qualification, it secured them a spot in the playoffs as one of the best second-placed teams.

In a post on his X handle after the match on Tuesday, Atiku praised the team for their performance, saying they displayed the true Nigerian spirit.

“You showed true Nigerian spirit, strength, dominance, and unity on the field. This is the power of perseverance and teamwork,” Atiku wrote.

Peter Obi also commended the Super Eagles, describing the result as a “sweet victory” over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.

“Today, my day started very early at 6 a.m., and after a very hectic day of participating in five different events, commissioning and campaigning in Anambra State, I had to watch the Super Eagles game.

“I watched with so much confidence and pride, and it was such a brilliant and sweet victory against Benin Republic.

“The performance was really Super, showing that it’s Possible. Well done, Super Eagles,” Obi said.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Thrash Benin 4-0, Secure World Cup Play-Off Spot

Eric Chelle’s side delivered their best performance of a disappointing CAF Group C campaign, with Osimhen racing through the defense to score the opening goal in the third minute.

The Galatasaray striker delivered a brilliant header just eight minutes before halftime, brilliantly set up once again by Samuel Chukwueze’s precise assist.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Super Eagles on their emphatic 4-0 victory over the Cheetahs of the Benin Republic and commended the team for keeping the nation’s hope alive as they pursue qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The President praised the Super Eagles for the hunger, passion, and determination displayed on the field in Uyo, noting that the superlative performance has reignited Nigerians’ football pride.

”While the job is not yet complete, I join millions of Nigerian football fans in wishing our team every success in the playoffs,” Tinubu was quoted to have said in a statement signed by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.

“The mood across the country reflects a shared belief that Nigeria deserves a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada, Mexico, and the United States will host.

“As your President, I assure you and the coaching crew of the Federal Government’s support as you strive to secure your place at the tournament. Nigerians everywhere believe in you, and I do too.

“We look forward to seeing you fly our flag proudly on the world stage.”

READ ALSO: Nigeria Thrash Benin 4-0, Set To Secure World Cup Play-Off Spot

Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and Frank Onyeka’s goal secured the vital victory for Nigeria, but it was not enough to top the group, as South Africa also defeated Rwanda 3-0 to take that spot.

South Africa topped the group with 18 points, while Nigeria closely followed in second place with 17 points.

Despite a convincing 4-0 win over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, the Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and Frank Onyeka’s goal secured the vital victory for Nigeria, but it was not enough to top the group, as South Africa also defeated Rwanda 3-0 to take that spot.

Can’t spell Victory without Victor.

Mainman Osimhen comes clutch for Nigeria once again. ⚽⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/KVbWEfvJOG

South Africa topped the group with 18 points, while Nigeria closely followed in second place with 17 points.

With 17 points, Nigeria stands a strong chance of qualifying as one of the best runners-up, which would give the West Africans a second opportunity to reach the World Cup through the play-offs.

READ ALSO: We Want To Be At The World Cup — Troost-Ekong

Eric Chelle’s side delivered their best performance of a disappointing CAF Group C campaign, with Osimhen racing through the defense to score the opening goal in the third minute.

The Galatasaray striker delivered a brilliant header just eight minutes before halftime, brilliantly set up once again by Samuel Chukwueze’s precise assist.

Although Chukwueze was forced off at halftime due to injury, Moses Simon stepped in to provide the perfect pass for Osimhen to complete his hat-trick and claim the match ball.

Full-time in Uyo!

A dominant display from the boys; Victor Osimhen with a hat-trick and Frank Onyeka rounding it off in style.

Nigeria 4–0 Benin #SoarSuperEagles | #FIFAWCQ | #Naija4theWin pic.twitter.com/zguhidTLN3

However, with South Africa defeating Rwanda 3-0 to claim the top spot and automatic qualification, Nigeria still needed one more goal to secure a place in the playoffs that will decide CAF’s representative in the inter-confederation playoffs.

That crucial goal came in spectacular fashion in the 90th minute, as Moses Simon dribbled to the byline and delivered a perfectly chipped cross, which substitute Frank Onyeka volleyed emphatically into the net.

Onyeka’s goal ignited jubilant celebrations, boosting Nigeria’s goal difference above that of Burkina Faso, the runners-up in Group A, and securing them third place in the overall second-place standings.

This means that even if DR Congo wins against Sudan later on Tuesday, Nigeria is virtually assured a spot in the upcoming four-team playoff, where CAF’s representative for the inter-confederation playoffs will be decided.

Benin entered the day atop Group C, poised on the brink of their historic first World Cup qualification. But their hopes were dashed when they faced a revitalized Nigerian team that showed up exactly when it mattered most.

Playoffs

Only the best of the second-placed teams will advance—four out of nine will battle it out after Matchday 10 in the CAF qualifiers.

The seeding for the draw will be based on the FIFA Rankings set to be released on October 23, 2025.

Accordingly, the top-ranked team will be paired against the fourth-ranked, while the second and third-ranked teams will meet in the other semi-final.

Playoffs venue

Morocco has been officially confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as the host nation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs.

A circular issued by Samson Adamu, CAF’s Director of Competitions and Events, informed all member associations of the schedule, location, and structure of the mini-tournament that will determine Africa’s qualifier for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental play-offs.

Date

According to the statement, the semi-finals will take place on November 13, 2025, with the final scheduled for November 16, 2025. Both matches will be held in Morocco.