UEFA World Cup Qualifying Matches to Watch: Monday

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·16 November 2025

UEFA World Cup Qualifying Matches to Watch: Monday

For the first time in this international break, all games within the three groups are all playing at the same time. It’s a nightmare trying to figure out which one to focus on, particularly since most of them have a material impact on who advances.

Before we get to the match previews, let’s give some kudos and congratulations to some big winners from Sunday’s games:

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Hungary 2 – 3 Republic of Ireland What a break for Troy Parrott, who hit the net in the sixth minute of stoppage time (and twice before that) to propel Ireland into the March play-offs. In all, he scored all five goals for his country in the past two games.
Portugal 9 – 1 Armenia No Ronaldo, no problem. João Neves and Bruno Fernandes both got hat-tricks in this beatdown.
Ukraine 2 – 0 Iceland Two late goals place Ukraine into the play-off at Iceland’s expense.
Albania 0 – 2 England A brace from Harry Kane capped a perfect campaign for the Three Lions: 8 wins and zero goals conceded.
Azerbaijan 1 – 3 France
Serbia 2 – 1 Latvia
Israel 4 – 1 Moldova
Italy 1 – 4 Norway Erling Haaland scored a brace as Norway came from behind to thump Italy in Milan. Not only did Haaland tie a record with 11 straight international goals, he also scored 16 in the campaign.

Germany vs. Slovakia (Group A)

Group A Standings. Source: Wikipedia

With their 2 – 0 victory over Luxembourg on Friday, Germany avoided the specter of non-qualification for the first time in their history. But do not let that scoreline fool you. Luxembourg were resilient opposition, and if they had some better finishing quality it could easily have been a draw, possibly even an embarrassment for Der Mannschaft. And the pressure is still on, even if a play-off spot is guaranteed. Anything less than a win will spark outrage in a nation that expects excellence.

Slovakia, meanwhile, delivered a suckerpunch to Northern Ireland with a stoppage time goal from Tomas Bobcek, an 88th minute substitute. Nine weeks after kicking off their qualifying campaign with a stunning defeat of Germany, they face the same opponent and hope to repeat the feat.

Northern Ireland vs. Luxembourg (Group A)

Although the gut-wrenching loss to Slovakia dashed Northern Ireland’s hopes of winning Group A, they can take some solace that they have a guaranteed play-off spot from their Nations League campaign earlier this year. What better way to prepare than a match against Group A’s weakest side? Luxembourg scored their only goal against Northern Island back in September. Perhaps they can do so again?

Netherlands vs. Lithuania (Group G)

Group G Standings. Source: Wikipedia

The Dutch had a surprisingly tough time against the Lithuanians back in September, after a late first half collapse allowed the hosts to score twice to equalize. But playing at home, they know all they have to do is keep it together for 90 minutes. A draw or win guarantees their World Cup ticket. Even a loss would probably be ok, unless Poland were to score 13 or more goals in Malta.

Malta vs. Poland (Group G)

A Polish victory is all but guaranteed, but manager Jan Urban will no doubt remind his side that Malta can prove stubborn at home. Their play-off spot is guaranteed, but they also know that a big scoreline in their favor, coupled with a Dutch meltdown, could give them a chance at the group win. It’s slim, true, but stranger things have happened.

Montenegro vs. Croatia & Czech Republic vs. Gibraltar (Group L)

Group L Standings. Source: Wikipedia

Group L was decided after Matchday 9. Croatia has won the group, and the Czech Republic will enter the play-off next year. So both of these matches are, to be blunt, useless exercises.