England clinch 2026 World Cup qualification, Portugal forced to wait

PARIS – England manager Thomas Tuchel could see the funny side as travelling fans poked fun at the German during his side’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying thrashing of Latvia in rainy Riga on Tuesday.

Tuchel was critical of England’s fans at Wembley Stadium last week, accusing them of not being supportive enough during a routine 3-0 friendly victory over Wales.

They were far noisier on Tuesday as they celebrated England sealing their place in next year’s World Cup, at one point singing “Are we loud enough for you?” to the former Chelsea manager.

“I got a bit of stick today in the first half, so fair enough. I take it in good humour, with a good sense of humour. I accept it,” Tuchel said. “They had a reason today from my last comments and I guess that’s fair enough.

“I got a bit of stick and I found it quite creative. It made me smile and this is how it has to be. It’s British humour and I surely can take it. No harm done.

“The support today was brilliant and we are very sure the support in America will be absolutely brilliant.”

Harry Kane scored twice as England won comfortably to become the first European side to qualify, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal were forced to wait to clinch their spot at the Finals after being held by Hungary.

Elsewhere, Spain took another step towards qualification with a big victory against Bulgaria.

Tuchel’s England brushed aside Latvia to make it six wins from six in Group K and guarantee top spot before their final two fixtures next month – they have 18 points and an unassailable seven-point lead over second-placed Albania.

Anthony Gordon opened the scoring before Kane produced a lethal finish and then netted a penalty to make it 3-0 at half-time – the Bayern Munich striker has 21 goals in 13 games this season for club and country.

Maksims Tonisevs scored an own-goal and Eberechi Eze added the fifth.

“It comes rarely that you qualify for a World Cup, so the mood is very, very good,” added Tuchel.

All 12 group winners in Europe qualify directly for the World Cup, with the runners-up going on to play-offs.

Serbia are a point behind Albania after fighting back to win 3-1 in Andorra.

Portugal were on the brink of punching their ticket as they led Hungary 2-1 in stoppage time in Lisbon, knowing a win would confirm first place in Group F.

Attila Szalai headed Hungary in front only for Ronaldo to turn in a cross to equalise midway through the first half. Ronaldo then converted another cross to give Portugal the lead in first-half stoppage time, taking the 40-year-old Al Nassr superstar to an all-time international record of 143 goals in 225 appearances for his country.

He now holds the record for the most goals in World Cup qualifying with 41, two more than retired Guatemala international Carlos Ruiz on 39.

However, Hungary snatched a draw when Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai scored in injury time.

That means Hungary remain five points behind Portugal with two games left and so could still top Group F.

European champions Spain have four wins from four in Group E after defeating Bulgaria 4-0 in Valladolid.

Mikel Merino scored two headers and now has six goals in four games in qualifying. Atanas Chernev scored an own-goal before Mikel Oyarzabal converted a late penalty.

“We don’t have much further to go to get to the World Cup, but it’s not done yet... I hope we keep winning,” Merino told Spanish television. AFP, REUTERS