Fenerbahçe target shines as a hero | World Cup European Qualifiers: Results from the night

Eight matches were played last night in the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers. Portugal and Norway booked their tickets to the World Cup, while Ireland secured a dramatic play-off spot with a 90+6 winner against Hungary. The man who sent Ireland to the play-offs was Troy Parrott, who has recently been linked with Fenerbahçe. Here is a full breakdown of the night…

PORTUGAL’S HISTORIC WIN

The excitement of Matchday 10 in Groups D, F, I, and K began with eight matches. In the F Group clash held at Porto’s Dragão Stadium, Portugal were without suspended superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, but it hardly mattered.

Portugal crushed Armenia 9-1, securing direct qualification for the World Cup in dominant fashion.

Portugal’s goals came from:

Renato Veiga

Gonçalo Ramos

João Neves (3)

Bruno Fernandes (3)

Francisco Conceição

Armenia’s only goal was scored by Eduard Spertsyan.

DRAMA IN BUDAPEST: PARROTT’S 90+6 WINNER

In the crucial Group F encounter with play-off implications, Hungary hosted Ireland at the Puskás Arena.

The home side took a 3rd-minute lead through Lukács, but Ireland equalised in the 15th minute with a penalty from Troy Parrott. Hungary regained the advantage in the 37th minute thanks to Varga, ending the first half 2-1 ahead.

Ireland fought back again, with Parrott making it 2-2 in the 80th minute — and the drama didn’t stop there. The 23-year-old forward scored the winning goal in 90+6, sealing a stunning 3-2 victory.

Ireland, who entered the final matchday one point behind Hungary, finished the group with 10 points, taking second place and earning a play-off spot. Hungary finished third with 8 points.

Parrott, a known name on Fenerbahçe’s transfer shortlist, had also scored both goals in Ireland’s 2-0 win over Portugal three days earlier.

PARROTT IN TEARS AFTER THE MATCH

Speaking after the historic win, an emotional Parrott said:

“This is why we love football — because moments like this can happen. I love where I come from, my family is here… this means the world to me.”

OTHER RESULTS FROM THE NIGHT

Group D

Ukraine 2-0 Iceland
Played at Poland’s Wojska Polskiego Stadium.

Zubkov (83')

Gutsulyak (90+3')

Ukraine reached 10 points and secured a play-off spot. Iceland finished third with 7 points.

France 3-1 Azerbaijan
France’s goals: Mateta (17’), Akliouche (30’), Mahammadaliyev (OG, 45’)
Azerbaijan’s goal: Dadashov (4’)
France topped the group with 16 points, while Azerbaijan finished last with 1 point.

Group K

Serbia 2-1 LatviaLatvia led through Gutkovskis (12’), but Serbia overturned the score with:

Katai (49’)

Stanković (60’)

Serbia remained 3rd with 13 points; Latvia finished 4th with 5 points.

England 2-0 Albania
Played at Air Albania Stadium. Harry Kane scored twice in the second half. England, who had already qualified, topped the group with 24 points. Albania finished second with 14 points and reached the play-offs.

Group I

Norway 4-1 Italy at San Siro (Giuseppe Meazza)

Norway’s goals:

Erling Haaland (2)

Antonio Nusa

Jørgen Strand Larsen

Italy’s only goal came from an own goal by Norway earlier in the match.

With this win, Norway finished first with 24 points and secured direct qualification to the World Cup.
Italy finished second with 18 points, earning a play-off ticket.

A Historic Achievement for Norway

Norway qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.