Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dream was torn to shreds in Yerevan as Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men lost 2-1 against Armenia.
A little more than three years after they endured an embarrassing 1-0 Nations League defeat at the Republican Stadium, Ireland lost 2-1 against a side ranked 105th in the world, in a game they had to win if they were to stand a realistic chance of qualifying from Group F following a 2-2 draw with Hungary in Dublin on Saturday.
For the ninth time in 10 competitive games under Hallgrímsson, Ireland conceded first when Eduard Spertsyan, who fired Armenia to victory against the Irish in June 2022 and also scored in the reverse fixture, struck from the spot. Grant-Leon Ranos doubled the hosts’ advantage within six minutes of the second half and, although Evan Ferguson dragged the visitors back into it on 57 minutes, Ireland could not pull themselves out of the mire for the second time in four days.
Asked if people were entitled to question him, Hallgrímsson said: “That’s the job of the coach. If they are not producing, then it’s always under question and it’s understandable now. I’m not naive. After this performance, of course I will take the blame for this.”
In the other game in Group F, Portugal beat Hungary 3-2 in Budapest, with João Cancelo scoring a late winner two minutes after the hosts had equalised to put Roberto Martínez’s men in control at the top with two away wins from two.
Portugal had come from behind to lead with Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty but almost let the three points slip when conceding late on before Cancelo’s goal rescued the win to add to their 5-0 success in Armenia on Saturday.
Hungary took the lead in the 21st minute after Barnabas Varga met Zsolt Nagy’s cross inside the area. Portugal drew level 15 minutes later through Bernardo Silva’s close-range effort. Portugal went in front after Varga handled a Ronaldo flick-on in the area, and the 40-year-old buried the spot-kick into the bottom corner to notch his 39th goal in World Cup qualifying, equalling a record set by Carlos Ruiz of Guatemala.
Hungary looked to have drawn 2-2 for the second qualifier in succession when Varga scored with another header six minutes from time but then Cancelo struck a first-time shot from outside the area to leave Portugal top with six points.
In the most eye-catching result of the night, Erling Haaland scored five times as Norway routed Moldova 11-1 in Oslo. The Manchester City striker was in unstoppable form, leading the way in a thoroughly one-sided contest that maintained his side’s 100% record in Group I. Haaland had his fifth international hat-trick by half-time, scored three times between the 11th and 43rd minute, and snatched another couple in the second half as he stretched his international scoring record to 48 in 45 caps.
The Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard scored four despite coming on in the 64th minute and there were goals for Felix Horn Myhre and Martin Ødegaard. Even Moldova’s consolation came from a Norwegian player, with Leo Østigard scoring an own goal.
Kylian Mbappé scored one goal and set up another as France came from behind at the Parc des Princes to claim a 2-1 win against Iceland, maintaining their perfect start in Group D.
Andri Lucas Gudjohnsen punished a Michael Olise mistake to put Iceland ahead only for Mbappé to equalise with a penalty to level the score, before laying on Bradley Barcola’s winner just past the hour.
France played the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Aurélien Tchouaméni was sent off for a reckless challenge, but the hosts held firm to extend a 32-year run in which only Spain have beaten them at home in a World Cup qualifier.
Wales lost at home for the first time under Craig Bellamy as Canada claimed a 1-0 friendly victory in Swansea. Recent Rangers signing Derek Cornelius planted a free-kick from 25 yards past home goalkeeper Adam Davies just before the interval and Canada were well worth the win.
In reality, it was anything but a friendly as the English referee, Robert Jones, brandished eight yellow cards, with both sides guilty of overstepping the mark at times.
Bellamy had entered the contest with a winning record of 54.5% – the best percentage of any permanent Welsh manager – from his 11 games in charge. The only loss had come in a World Cup tie in Belgium, but Wales could count themselves fortunate not to suffer a heavier defeat as Canada hit the woodwork twice and spurned several other scoring opportunities.
Bellamy chose Canada – three spots above 31st-placed Wales in the Fifa rankings – as friendly opposition given his admiration for the 2026 World Cup co-hosts and the “tough test” he wanted. He certainly got his wish.
Canada menaced with every attack, Ismaël Koné striking the inside of a post from Jonathan David’s cute backheel and Tajon Buchanan and Richie Laryea betrayed by a lack of composure.
Canada continued to knock on the door as Luc de Fougerolles’ flicked a volley on to the crossbar, and it finally opened after 41 minutes through Cornelius’ fabulous free-kick.
It was a more even contest after the break as De Fougerolles headed Harris’ overhead kick off the goalline and Crew directed a Wilson corner straight at St Clair. Wales survived when Tani Oluwaseyi pounced on Ben Cabango’s mistake and blazed over.
Late bookings for substitutes Rhys Norrington-Davies and Jayden Nelson took the caution count to eight, as Harris wasted a late opportunity to give Wales a share of the spoils.
The Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush sustained a knee ligament injury during Egypt’s 0-0 draw with Burkina Faso in their World Cup qualifier.
Egypt moved a step closer to qualifying for the finals tournament next year, maintaining a five-point lead over second-placed Burkina Faso in Group A with two rounds remaining. The evening, however, took a worrying turn for the Pharaohs when Marmoush was forced off the pitch nine minutes into the game following a heavy challenge.
Egypt’s team doctor, Mohamed Abu El-Ela, confirmed the injury was “a bruised knee ligament”. On its official X account the Egyptian Football Association, citing the doctor, said: “The player will undergo an X-ray upon his arrival to Cairo Wednesday morning.”
In the other game in England’s group, Group K, Albania beat Latvia 1-0 with a 25th-minute penalty converted by Kristjan Asllani at Arena Kombëtare in Tirana.
