European World Cup qualifying: Spain reigns, Tuchel’s England emerges and Mbappé keeps France steady

GENEVA: Spain still looks the best team in Europe, England finally put on a show in World Cup qualifying, and France got back-to-back wins while almost dropping points despite Kylian Mbappé’s goals.
Every European team have now begun their qualifying group, and it was a good week for 40-year-old greats Cristiano Ronaldo, in Portugal’s fast start, and Luka Modrić, with Croatia leading its group.
Erling Haaland’s five-goal haul in Norway’s 11-1 beating of Moldova pushed Italy closer to the playoffs in a group where goal difference could be decisive.
Italy had perhaps the strangest week in their quest to avoid missing a third straight World Cup.
The four-time champion earned six points and scored 10 goals yet ended with new coach Gennaro Gattuso filmed aiming expletives at an Israel player on the field after a wild 5-4 win.
Germany also could risk ending up in the playoffs next March after stumbling to an opening 2-0 loss at Slovakia. It was a first-ever German loss on the road in World Cup qualifying.
Slovakia might yet regret winning only 1-0 at Luxembourg from a 90th-minute goal.

Only the group winner advance directly in November and goal difference is the first tiebreaker.
Stylish Spain
Euro 2024 winner Spain were denied adding a 2025 Nations League title only by a penalty shootout loss against Portugal at a final where it twice led.
Already Spain look Europe’s best hope at the 2026 World Cup. If a 3-0 win at struggling Bulgaria was routine, the 6-0 thrashing of Euro 2024 quarterfinalist Turkiye in Istanbul was a standout result.
A hat trick from midfielder Mikel Merino meant Spain did not need goals from Lamine Yamal though the 18-year-old star had two assists.
Spain look balanced, young and still improving for Luis