⏪ UEFA WCQ: Norway thrash Italy; Croatia and Wales win big; Belgium held | OneFootball

Qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup returns today as three European powerhouses begin their campaigns in earnest, with Belgium, Italy, and Croatia set to feature for the first time.

Belgium will lock horns with Group J leaders North Macedonia and Italy will test themselves against a perfect Norway, while Croatia will be expected to comfortably see off Gibraltar.

Wales is also in action tonight as they look to book three points against Liechtenstein while hoping to capitalize on a Belgian result in Skopje.

Coming into this evening's matches, here is how the Group's in-focus breakdown:

📸: uefa.com

Full-Time around the grounds this evening:

Norway 3-0 Italy

Gibraltar 0-7 Croatia

Wales 3-0 Leichtenstein

North Macedonia 1-1 Belgium

A gargantuan result for Norway this evening, while Croatia and Wales pick up expected wins. Belgium's international woes continue after letting their lead slip late in a 1-1 draw at North Macedonia.

NORTH MACEDONIA EQUALISE!

Belgium may have been undone late on in Skopje after veteran full-back Ezgjan Alioski restored parity in the 87th minute!

And now it's seven...

Kramarić completes his second-half brace. The substitutes have outdone themselves tonight under Dalić

Make that six for Vatreni

Andrej Kramarić adds his name to the scoresheet as Croatia continue running up the score at Estádio Do Algarve.

Perišić joins the fun

It's now 5-0 Croatia on their away day, with Ivan Perišić adding a goal to his tally sheet on the night after bagging a brace of assists earlier on.

It's all settled down a bit as Norway has less than 20 minutes remaining to put a postage stamp on a huge result tonight. Can Italy pull off something magical?

Lightning strikes from Wilson and Moore

Two quick goals from Harry Wilson (66th minute) and Kieffer Moore (69th minute) have put Wales 3-0 up on the night. That should just about do it for Craig Bellamy's Dragons.

The floodgates open - Croatia strikes again!

Croatia finds a fourth goal on the night, this time through a 63rd-minute hit from Franjo Ivanović, who completes his brace on the night after coming on just before the restart.

For those not in the know, Ivanović has a stellar season with USG during a historic campaign for the Brussels-based outfit.

In other news, the collective feeling across Norway surely must be similar, as Norway strikes woodwork! So nearly 4-0!

It's been all one-way traffic in Cardiff, with Wales looking primed to take all the points this evening.

Croatia find a third!

Union Saint-Gilloise starlet Franjo Ivanović makes it 3-0 for Croatia on the night. And that should wrap up all three points for Zlatko Dalić's men.

Belgium remains in relative control in Skopje, but a second goal will go a long way to starting their WCQ campaign on the right foot.

📸 via uefa.com

We're back underway across our fixtures on the night. Stick with us for the second stanza!

Alexander Sørloth has been enjoying himself in 2024/25 for club and country, and after hitting the 20-goal mark for Atlético de Madrid, what more is to come from the big Norwegian next season?

Half-Time around the grounds:

Norway 3-0 Italy

North Macedonia 0-1 Belgium

Gibraltar 0-2 Croatia

Wales 1-0 Liechtenstein

Wales out in front!

A close-range header from Joe Rodon now has Wales 1-0 up against Liechtenstein, and as things stand, they'll take control of their group.

THREE! COUNT IT, THREE!

Norway are ripping Italy apart tonight in front of home support at Ullevaal Stadium and no result would be complete without a class goal from Erling Haaland.

Italy have been left stunned on the night while offering little threat of their own. A shock result is on the cards!

2-0 Norway! Nusa is running riot!

After turning provider for Alexander Sørloth's opener, Antonio Nusa strikes to make it 2-0 after a mazy run sees him blow past his marker before he rips a dive beyond a diving Donnarumma.

What a hit!

Belgium takes the lead!

Maxim De Cuyper bags the opener for Belgium against North Macedonia in what could end up being a massive help for Wales, who sit level on points with Lavovi at the top of Group J.

And just like that, Croatia strike! It's not one, but two!

A quick-fire goal glut from MLS star Marco Pašalić and Ante Budimir sees Croatia take a 2-0 lead at Gibraltar on the half-hour mark.

True to themselves, Norway remains rooted in looking to hit Italy on the break, and thus far, seems the far more dangerous of the two sides on the night.

Belgium, Croatia, and Wales have yet to find an opener.

GOAL! 1-0 Norway!

Alexander Sørloth continues his hot form in front of goal as Norway finds the breakthrough in the 14th minute. A composed finish from the big striker, who threaded his effort through Donnarumma's legs at close range.

Antonio Nusa turned provider for that goal, with the silky winger looking in the mood this evening.

Ahead of a chance to climb into the top spot in Group J depending on other results, here's Wales' teamsheet on the night

For all you Belgium supporters out there, here's how the Red Devils will look

Speaking of Haaland, his return for Løvene is, in a word, impressive.

Here is how Italy will be deployed when they take on Erling Haaland and Norway, which is set to kick off in just 15 minutes.

Welcome this evening as qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues.

Strap in with us as we will bring you all the live updates across four matches this evening, including an intriguing clash between Norway and Italy.