European heavyweights Belgium secured their fourth straight FIFA World Cup berth with their 7-0 win over Liechtenstein to top Group J as Wales finished second with their 7-1 win over North Macedonia.
Jeremy
Doku and Charles De Ketelaere netted a double each, while Hans Vanaken, Brandon Mechele and Alexis Saelemaekers also found the back of the net for the Belgian Red Devils.
Wales finished second as their massive win at home secured their presence at the quadrennial spectacle as Harry Wilson netted a hat trick. A draw would have been enough for North Macedonia. Both teams secured their berths in the playoffs through the Nations League.
Elsewhere, Spain had to settle for just a point as Turkey held the Euro 2024 champions to a 2-2 draw in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers on Wednesday at the Estadio La Cratuja de Sevilla.
Goals from Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal were neutralized by Deniz Gul and Salih Ozcan, extending Spain’s unbeaten streak to 31 games.
Spain’s unbeaten run began against Italy in the semifinals of the Nations League in 2023. Italy’s record spanned from 2018 to 2021, ending with a 2-1 loss to Spain in the Nations League final.
La Roja would only have lost first place if they were defeated by seven goals or more, with Turkey finishing second in the group.
“We wanted to finish without conceding a goal. A bittersweet taste, but we’re happy to qualify for the World Cup,” said Olmo.
Olmo opened the scoring in the 4th minute for Luis De La Fuente’s men, but Gul equalized three minutes before the first half break.
Ozcan put Turkey ahead early in the second half, but Oyarzabal ensured Spain’s unbeaten run continued with his equalizer just after the hour mark.
