Eight World Cup qualifying matches were played across Europe tonight.
Italy defeated Estonia 3-1 in Tallinn and remained in a sort of race for first place in a group dominated by the Norwegians.
Italy took the lead in the fourth minute through Moses Kino, and the advantage was doubled in the 38th minute by Matteo Retegi, who had missed a penalty eight minutes earlier.
The third goal was scored by Francesco Esposito in the 74th minute, and two minutes later, Rauno Sapinen scored for Estonia.
Italy hosts Norway in the final round, but in addition to being six points behind, with a game in hand, they also have a 19-goal deficit on goal difference. This will make Gennaro Gattuso's task almost impossible if the Norwegians beat Estonia at home in the next round.
Norway defeated Israel 5-0 at home earlier today with a hat-trick and a missed penalty by Erling Haaland.
Spain defeated Georgia 2-0 in Elche, in Group E, with goals from Jeremi Pino in the 24th minute and Mikel Oyarzabal in the 64th minute.
In the second match in the same group, Turkey defeated host Bulgaria 6:1 at the Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia.
The double scorer was Kenan Yildiz, who scored goals in the 51st and 56th minutes. The strikers were also Arda Guler in the 11th minute, Zeki Celik in the 65th, Irfan Kahvedzi in the third minute of injury time, as well as Bulgarian footballer Viktor Popov, who scored an own goal in the 49th minute. All teams in the group played three games, Spain has all nine points in first place, Turkey is second with six points, and Georgia is third with three points. Last is Bulgaria with no points.
The Portuguese defeated Ireland 1-0 in Lisbon, in the third round of Group F, and came within a step of the World Cup.
The only goal was scored by Ruben Neveš in the first minute of stoppage time.
Before that, Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in the 75th minute - his foot saved by Irish goalkeeper Kelleher. Portugal have all nine points, Hungary are second with four points, Armenia are third with three points, and Ireland have one point.
Bonus video:
