Roundup of the latest round of UEFA Qualifying for 2023 FIFA World Cup as several teams continued to move closer towards automatic qualification.
With just two further rounds of Qualifying left, several teams entered this round looking to continue their battles for automatic qualification if not a play-off spot with Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales are involved in the latter fight.
England meanwhile took on Northern Ireland in a huge battle of Britain clash as both teams chased a spot at the World Cup.
Now here is a full roundup of all the action across every Qualifying group.
Group A
Sweden wrapped up qualification for the World Cup as Group A winners after snatching a comeback 1-1 draw at home to Republic of Ireland, as Kosovare Asllani cancelled out Katie McCabe’s 44th minute opener.
Eveliina Summanen’s brace helped Finland thrash Georgia 6-0 in Helsinki to move up to second.
Group B
Jennifer Hermoso’s brace saw Spain seal a place at the World Cup following a 2-0 away win over a resilient Scotland at Hampden Park in the only Group B match of this round of Qualifying.
Group C
With Netherlands’ clash against Belarus postponed due to the ongoing political fallout of Belarus’ connections to Russia’s war on Ukraine, Iceland moved top of Group C with a 36th minute winner from Gunnhildur Jonsdottir to seal a 1-0 win away to Czech Republic.
Group D
England moved to within one win of securing automatic qualification for the World Cup following a 5-0 away victory over Northern Ireland, with Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway both netting twice apiece whilst Ella Toone also found the net to eliminate their Irish opposition.
Austria remain five points behind Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses in second after braces from Sarah Puntigam and Maria Plattner fired them to a 8-0 home win over rock-bottom Latvia.
Amy Thompson’s brace saw Luxembourg fight back to defeat North Macedonia 2-1 at home, after Gentijana Rochi had put the visitors into a first minute lead.
Group E
Denmark secured qualification after defeating Azerbaijan 2-0 in Viborg through goals from Stine Larsen and Karen Holmgaard.
Goals from Sofija Krajsumovic and Milena Nikolic saw Bosnia and Herzegovina climb to third following a 2-0 away win against Montenegro.
Malta’s clash against second-placed Russia was cancelled due to Russia’s ongoing suspension from all UEFA footballing activities.
Group F
Gabriela Grzywinska’s own goal coupled with Caroline Graham Hansen’s 16th minute effort saw Group F leaders, Norway stay top in a 2-1 home win over Poland despite Nikola Karczewska’s 56th minute consolatory goal for the Polish visitors.
Belgium remain three points behind in second after Tessa Wullaert produced four goals in a 6-1 away thrashing of Kosovo as Tine De Caigny and Marie Minnaert also struck for the Belgian Red Flames.
Kristina Maksuti’s brace plus goals from Megi Doci and Lucije Gjini fired fourth-placed Albania to a 4-0 away victory over Armenia.
Group G
Cristiana Girelli’s 83rd minute free-kick saw Italy stun Switzerland 1-0 in Thun to move top of Group G with a two-point lead heading into their two final qualifying matches.
Erika Gered’s fourth minute winner saw Romania narrowly defeat Croatia to stay third in the group but six points off Switzerland, who occupy the play-off qualification spot in second place.
Milda Liuzinaite’s first-half brace fired Lithuania to a 4-0 home win over Moldova with Judita Sabatauskaite and Ugne Lazdauskaite also finding the net once each.
Group H
Group H leaders – Germany missed a huge chance to secure qualification after falling to a shock 3-2 away loss against second-placed Serbia, with Jovana Damnjanovic netting a brace for the hosts either side of eventual consolatory goals from Germany’s Lea Schuller and Tabea Waβmuth.
Portugal stay third after first-half goals from Diana Silva, Vanessa Marques and Carole Costa completed a 3-0 victory over Bulgaria in Barcelos.
Shira Elinav’s 40th minute effort gave Israel their first win of the qualifying campaign in a shock 1-0 home win over Turkey.
Group I
Delphine Cascarino’s 47th minute goal saw France defeat Slovenia 1-0 to secure qualification for a fourth consecutive World Cup.
Wales moved up to second in the group after defeating Kazakhstan 3-0 in Nur-Sultan with Kayleigh Green, Natasha Harding and Jessica Fishlock all on the scoresheet.
Greece remain fourth after thrashing Estonia 3-0 in Patras as Veatriki Sarri, Sophia Koggouli and Grigoria Pouliou all found the net.
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