World Cup Qualifier Roundup: Sweden Overpower Ukraine As Italy And Türkiye Move Closer

‎The race for places at the upcoming FIFA World Cup intensified on Thursday night as the European play-off semi-finals delivered drama, standout individual performances, and several nail-biting penalty shoot-outs.

‎Stars such as Sandro Tonali, Viktor Gyökere,s and Ferdi Kadıoğlu played decisive roles in pushing their nations one step closer to qualification. With goals, comebacks, and late twists across all four play-off paths, Thursday’s fixtures delivered exactly the high-stakes tension fans expected.

‎Here is a full breakdown of the action.

‎Path A: Italy Advances as Bosnia and Herzegovina Survives Dramatic Shoot-Out

‎Italy 2–0 Northern Ireland

‎Italy showed composure and control in Bergamo to overcome a stubborn Northern Ireland national football team side. Returning from injury, Sandro Tonali was the standout performer, scoring the opener 11 minutes after the break before turning provider for Moise Kean late on.

‎Federico Dimarco threatened twice before half-time, striking the woodwork and forcing a smart stop from goalkeeper Pierce Charles, while Italy’s professionalism ensured they never lost grip of the tie.

‎The win sends the Azzurri into the Path A final.

‎Wales 1–1 Bosnia and Herzegovina (AET, Bosnia and Herzegovina win 4–2 on penalties)

‎Bosnia and Herzegovina produced a gutsy, emotional performance to edge past the Wales national football team in Cardiff. Wales came close through Harry Wilson and twice by Dan James, the latter scoring from distance to put his side ahead. But veteran striker Edin Džeko struck a late equaliser his 73rd international goal to force extra time.

‎In the shoot-out, Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams missed for Wales, setting the stage for Kerim Alajbegović to convert the decisive spot-kick.

‎Bosnia and Herzegovina now face Italy in the Path A decider.

‎Path B: Gyökeres Hat-Trick Sends Sweden Forward as Poland Complete Turnaround

‎Ukraine 1–3 Sweden

‎Viktor Gyökeres delivered one of the most commanding individual displays of the entire play-off round, striking a hat-trick to take Sweden past Ukraine in Valencia.

‎The forward opened the scoring early from a Benjamin Nygren cross and found the net again shortly after half-time by latching onto Kristoffer Nordfeldt’s long pass. His third a powerful penalty completed the job before Matvii Ponomarenko scored a late consolation on his debut.

‎The result puts Sweden one win away from reaching the World Cup.

‎Poland 2–1 Albania

‎Poland had to fight back after a defensive lapse allowed Arbër Hoxha to give Albania a first-half lead in Warsaw.

‎But the home crowd came alive when Robert Lewandowski headed in his 89th international goal from a corner to level the score. Just minutes later, debutant Stavro Pilo missed a golden chance for Albania before Piotr Zieliński smashed in a superb long-range winner.

‎Poland now stands one game away from their tenth World Cup appearance.

‎Path C: Türkiye Edge Romania as Kosovo Win Seven-Goal Thriller

‎Türkiye 1–0 Romania

‎Türkiye controlled large spells and were rewarded when young star Arda Güler sliced open Romania’s defence with an exquisite pass for Ferdi Kadıoğlu, who finished coolly on 53 minutes.

‎Romania pushed back through Ianis Hagi and substitute Nicolae Stanciu striking the post but Türkiye remained threatening, with Kenan Yıldız hitting the crossbar and Güler forcing a sharp save from Ionuț Radu.

‎Türkiye now faces Kosovo and stands within reach of its first World Cup since 2002.

‎Slovakia 3–4 Kosovo

‎Kosovo produced a stunning comeback in one of the night’s most chaotic matches. Slovakia led twice through Martin Valjent and Lukáš Haraslín’s free-kick, but Kosovo equalised almost immediately after both goals, first through Veldin Hodža and then via a glancing header from Fisnik Asllani.

‎Late strikes from Florent Muslija and Kreshnik Hajrizi completed the turnaround, with Slovakia’s David Strelec pulling one back deep into added time.

‎Kosovo march on to face Türkiye in the Path C final.

‎Path D: Denmark Cruise, Czechia Survive Penalty Drama

‎Denmark 4–0 North Macedonia

‎After a quiet first half, Denmark erupted following the break. Mikkel Damsgaard opened the scoring with a precise finish before turning provider for Gustav Isaksen, who netted twice in quick succession.

‎A Christian Nørgaard header rounded off the commanding victory, helping Denmark bounce back confidently after narrowly missing direct qualification.

‎Czechia 2–2 Republic of Ireland (AET, Czechia win 4–3 on penalties)

‎Czechia kept its World Cup hopes alive in Prague after a dramatic match featuring three goals in the opening eight minutes. Troy Parrott scored from the spot for Ireland before a Matěj Kovář own goal doubled the visitors’ advantage.

‎Patrik Schick quickly pulled one back with a penalty. Czechia’s captain for the night, Ladislav Krejčí, powered in a late equaliser before goalkeeper Kovář redeemed himself in the shoot-out with two crucial saves.

‎Jan Kliment then converted the winning penalty to send Czechia into the Path D final.