Europe saved its most chaotic, heart-racing football for the very end as the final round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers delivered big scores, late goals and full-blown relief for some of the continent’s heaviest hitters. Germany and the Netherlands marched straight into next year’s finals, Croatia staged one of the comebacks of the campaign and Poland clung on for dear life to book a route into the play-offs.

Here is how the continent’s decisive night unravelled.

Germany Turn On The Power As Slovakia Feel The Heat

Germany could not have asked for a louder statement heading into 2026. A 6-0 demolition of Slovakia sealed their 19th consecutive World Cup appearance and reminded everyone why Julian Nagelsmann’s men are suddenly looking like contenders again.

Leroy Sane stole the night with his first brace for the national team in four years, while young debutant Assan Ouedraogo added the feel-good moment by scoring late on.

Germany now head to North America with renewed swagger, while Slovakia’s focus shifts to a tense play-off run.

Netherlands Slice Through Lithuania To Book Their Ticket

Amsterdam was electric as the Netherlands confirmed their return to the world stage with a 4-0 win over a defiant but overwhelmed Lithuania.

After a frustrating first half, the Dutch finally cracked their opponents with a VAR-awarded penalty that Cody Gakpo buried. The floodgates opened soon after as Xavi Simons and Donyell Malen finished off a blistering three-goal burst.

For a team that famously missed out in 2018, securing back-to-back World Cup appearances feels like a major reset.

Northern Ireland Grind Past Luxembourg In A Nervy Finish

It was far from pretty, but Northern Ireland’s 1-0 win over Luxembourg was enough to secure a play-off place. Jamie Donley’s VAR-awarded penalty separated the sides, but Luxembourg pushed harder than expected and even threatened a late equaliser.

Luxembourg’s winless campaign means they finish without a single point for the first time in twenty years, a stat that shocked even their own supporters. Northern Ireland fans celebrated the win, but many admitted online that the performance “won’t scare anyone in the play-offs.”

Poland Survive A Wild Night In Malta Thanks To Zielinski

If drama had a location pin, it dropped right on Malta. Poland scraped a chaotic 3-2 win with a late deflected strike from Piotr Zielinski that kept their World Cup hopes alive.

Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring before Malta responded with energy and belief that rocked the Poles. A VAR-awarded penalty and a series of frantic attacks made the game feel like it might slip away, but Poland’s experience ultimately carried them over the line.

Czech Republic End With Flair As Gibraltar Are Swept Aside

The Czech Republic closed off their qualifying run in style with a commanding 6-0 win over Gibraltar, extending their impressive 16-match unbeaten home streak.

With goals spread across the team and Patrik Schick even rattling the crossbar, the Czechs look sharp and organised heading into the play-offs.

Croatia Complete A Comeback Worthy Of A World Cup Veteran

Croatia’s night in Montenegro felt like a football film. Down 2-0 early, rattled by errors and caught off guard, Zlatko Dalic’s side rallied with the kind of resilience that has defined their golden generation.

Ivan Perisic marked his 150th cap with a cool penalty, Kristijan Jakic equalised and finally Nikola Vlasic unleashed a thunderbolt in the dying minutes to seal a 3-2 win.

Luka Modric’s entrance for his 194th appearance brought a roar from fans, many of whom called the comeback “classic Croatia energy” across social platforms.

With qualification already secured, the victory was more about pride, legacy and momentum than maths.

A Night That Set The Tone For 2026

From powerhouse dominance to underdog heartbreak, Europe’s final round of qualifiers delivered everything football fans could possibly demand. For South African viewers keeping track of global form ahead of next year’s World Cup, the message was clear. Europe’s giants look hungry, the mid-table nations are scrapping with real ambition and the play-offs promise even more chaos.

And if this final night was anything to go by, 2026 is gearing up to be unforgettable.

Source: SABC Sport
Featured Image Source: DFB Team on Instagram

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