Qualifiers: Germany calm, Mbappé shines, 🇸🇪 bottom of group | OneFootball

This Friday (10th) featured eight more matches in the European Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Highlights include Germany regaining composure after their defeat in the opening round of Group A.

There was also Mbappé leading a perfect France, Sweden embarrassing themselves, a thrilling eight-goal match, and more.

Check out the highlights below.

Regulations 📝

Only the top team in each of the 12 groups will qualify directly for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

The 12 teams finishing second in their respective groups will be joined by the four best teams from the Nations League that did not qualify in 1st or 2nd place in the Qualifiers, for a playoff that will secure four more spots.

Group A

🇩🇪 Germany 4 x 0 Luxembourg 🇱🇺

It was win or win to avoid getting into trouble.

And Germany did what was expected of them at the PreZero Arena, home of Hoffenheim.

Gnabry scored as early as the fourth minute, but VAR confirmed a handball.

The first goal came from Raum, who took a free kick and benefited from a deflection off the wall (12').

📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2025 Getty Images

Kimmich doubled the lead at 21' after a penalty committed by Carlson – who was also sent off.

The rout was completed after the break. Gnabry succeeded at 48' and Kimmich got his second by pouncing on a rebound in the box (50').

Germany reached six points after three games and took the lead thanks to Slovakia's loss on goal difference.

🇬🇬 Northern Ireland 2 x 0 Slovakia 🇸🇰

The hosts took the lead with Hrosovsky, who scored an own goal (18').

They extended the lead with Hume at 81'.

They reached six points but are second due to an inferior goal difference to Germany.

📸 PAUL FAITH - Afp or licensors

Slovakia – who started the round in first place – dropped to third.

Next matches: 10/13 - Slovakia vs Luxembourg, Northern Ireland vs Germany

Group B

🇸🇪 Sweden 0 x 2 Switzerland 🇨🇭

The first half highlight was Bergvall.

He had a great chance after receiving a pass from Isak on a counter-attack.

But he stumbled over Trionda, the World Cup ball. It was just him and Sommer's goal.

The missed chance by the Tottenham player proved costly, as Switzerland scored with Xhaka converting a penalty (65').

📸 JONATHAN NACKSTRAND - AFP or licensors

Manzambi added another (94').

This result kept the Swiss at 100% after three games.

Sweden remains with just one point and at the bottom of the group.

🇽🇰 Kosovo 0 x 0 Slovenia 🇸🇮

The home team didn't even manage a shot on target.

Superior, Slovenia tried hard but lacked efficiency.

They reached two points, while their rivals moved up to four. That would secure a playoff spot.

Next matches: 10/13 - Slovenia vs Switzerland and Sweden vs Kosovo

Group D

🇫🇷 France 3 x 0 Azerbaijan 🇦🇿

Mbappé received a "pass" from an opponent and almost opened the scoring after just 19 seconds.

The rest was a series of French attempts against a very defensive opponent.

The tension only eased when Mbappé dribbled past four defenders, was nearly blocked by Ekitike, but scored a beautiful goal (46').

Scoring for the fifth consecutive match with France.

📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors

"Chased" by PSG fans present at the Parc des Princes, Rabiot extended the lead after a precise cross from Mbappé (69').

One minute after replacing the Real Madrid star, Thauvin scored a beautiful goal on his return to the national team after six years (84').

France reached nine points, maintaining a perfect record after three matches. Azerbaijan has one.

🇮🇸 Iceland 3 x 5 Ukraine 🇺🇦

Ukraine achieved a great away result in a direct battle for a likely playoff spot.

They went into halftime ahead after goals from Malinovskyi (14' and 50') and Gutsulyak (45'). The hosts only scored with Ellertsson (35').

📸 HARALDUR GUDJONSSON - AFP or licensors

They saw Fiorentina's Gudmundsson score twice (59' and 75').

But Ukraine prevailed thanks to Kaliuzhnyi (85') and Ocheretko (89').

It was their first win, reaching four points. Iceland remains with three and now sits third.

Next matches: 10/13 - Ukraine vs Azerbaijan and Iceland vs France

Group J

🇧🇪 Belgium 0 x 0 North Macedonia 🇲🇰

Home advantage made no difference. Belgium wasted the chance to take the group lead.

Possession exceeded 80%. There were 25 attempts, but only five on target.

📸 VIRGINIE LEFOUR

It ended in a goalless draw, Belgium reached 11 points and remains in second place.

Leaders North Macedonia moved up to 12.

🇰🇿 Kazakhstan x Liechtenstein 🇱🇮

This was the match that kicked off Friday's Qualifiers.

Kenzhebek (26' and 59'), Zaynutdinov (28'), and Kasym (81') secured the Kazakh victory.

The "country of Borat" reached six points. Liechtenstein remains pointless.

Next matches: 10/13 - North Macedonia vs Kazakhstan and Wales vs Belgium

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 Pau Barrena - 2025 Getty Images