Sander Berge helped Norway confirm their World Cup place in style on Sunday, with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over nearest challengers Italy.
Their place at next summer’s event was all but mathematically secured already, but they ensured they ended their qualification campaign with a 100 per cent record and a remarkable goal difference of +32, striking four times in the second half in Milan.
Berge played the full 90, meaning he featured in every minute of all eight matches.
Serbia ensured that a disappointing campaign ended on a high with a 2-1 win over Latvia, with Saša Lukić playing the first half, while Raúl Jiménez played 79 minutes of Mexico’s goalless draw with Uruguay.
On Saturday, Timothy Castagne played the entirety of Belgium’s 1-1 draw in Kazakhstan, setting up Hans Vanaken with a peach of a cross for their equaliser.
It’s a result that leaves Group J wide open going into the final match round this week, with Wales’ 1-0 win in Liechtenstein – a fixture Harry Wilson missed through suspension – meaning any of Belgium, Wales or North Macedonia could still finish top.
Nigeria will not be competing at the World Cup, after losing on penalties to Congo at the end of a 1-1 draw in their Play-Off encounter.
Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze all started the game, playing 120, 77 and 57 minutes, respectively, with Bassey taking responsibility with the first penalty, only to send it over the bar.
At Under-21 level, Josh King came on for the final half hour of England’s 2-0 win over Ireland as their perfect start to Euro qualifying continued, and Jonah Kusi-Asare played 77 minutes of Sweden’s 4-1 victory in North Macedonia.
Samuel Amissah played the second half of England Under-19s’ 7-0 demolition of Latvia.
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