World Cup Qualifying European Division: 5 teams advance to 4-team play-offs, dark horses create miracles, Italian tragedy

The European Division of the World Cup Qualifying Tournament has entered the final round of the group stage! Early this morning, the competition for Group 4 was the first to end. The specific results are as follows:

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Group D: Ukraine counterattacked and entered the play-offs, but Iceland was unfortunately eliminated.

Before the final round of Group D, France had secured first place in the group and qualified for the World Cup ahead of schedule; Azerbaijan was also eliminated early. The suspense is between Ukraine and Iceland. Both teams have 7 points, and Iceland has the advantage in goal difference.

The last round happens to be Iceland VS Ukraine, France VS Azerbaijan.

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In the end, France defeated Azerbaijan 3-1, which will not affect the ranking. Ukraine defeated Iceland 2-0 and overtook Iceland to move to second place in the group and enter the play-offs. However, Iceland was unfortunately eliminated and missed the 2026 World Cup.

Group F: Portugal learned its shame and became brave, Ireland recovered from a desperate situation.

Before the last round of Group F, there was suspense. Portugal has 10 points, Hungary has 8 points, and Ireland has 7 points. They all still have the possibility to compete for 1-2 place. The final round is Portugal VS Armenia, Hungary VS Ireland.

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In the end, Portugal defeated Armenia 9-1. Although they failed to advance in the last round, this victory also allowed Portugal to secure qualification for the World Cup. Ireland defeated Hungary 3-2 and overtook Hungary at the last moment, rising to second place and entering the play-offs. Hungary regretted missing out on the 2026 World Cup.

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It is worth mentioning that Ireland's 2-0 victory over Portugal in the last game is a guarantee that they will have a chance to counterattack in the last round. It must be said that Ireland can beat Portugal and Hungary at the last minute, which is called a dark horse.

Group I: Italy has no miracles and continues to work hard in the play-offs.

The suspense in the last round of Group I is Italy and Norway. Italy is 3 points behind and 17 behind on goal difference. It must beat Norway by more than 9 goals in the final round to overtake and become No. 1 and qualify for the World Cup.

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But in the last round, Norway came back and defeated Italy 4-1. Not only did Norway advance into the World Cup with its head held high, but it also entered in a victorious way, conquering others with virtue. Italy can only enter the play-offs, and in the past two World Cups, Italy has missed the World Cup.

Group K: End the suspense early.

England secured first place early and advanced to the World Cup, while Albania also secured second place and entered the play-offs.

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Currently among the four groups, the first in the group to enter the World Cup are France, Portugal, Norway, and England, and the second in the group to enter the play-offs are Ukraine, Ireland, Italy, and Albania.

The remaining 8 groups will compete in Group A, Group L, and Group G early tomorrow morning. Among these 3 groups, Croatia in Group L has already secured the first place in the group and entered the World Cup. The other two group first places and the third group second place are still in suspense.

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There will be a competition between 5 groups, Group B, Group C, Group E, Group H and Group J, in the early morning of tomorrow. Among these 5 groups, there is still suspense about the 1st place in the 5th group and the 2nd place in the 5th group, which will not be revealed until the end of the game.

By the early morning of the day after tomorrow, 12 teams from the European Division will have qualified for the World Cup, and the 16 teams in the play-offs will also be determined. The next step is to divide the play-offs, draw lots, and then determine the final four World Cup places.