if you’re following the intense World Cup qualifiers—known as “eliminatorias” in Spanish-speaking regions—the latest round of European action on October 15, 2025, delivered thrills, records, and a few face-palm moments.
Cristiano Ronaldo Breaks Eliminatorias Record as England Books 2026 World Cup Ticket
England became the first European team to punch their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, USA, and Mexico with a commanding 5-0 thrashing of Latvia, capping a flawless campaign so far. Meanwhile, Portugal’s star Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name deeper into history by becoming the all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifiers, even as his team let a sure win slip away—and he had a comical mix-up on a free kick that left everyone chuckling. Over in other groups, Spain and Turkey are locked in a tight race for direct qualification, setting up a dramatic finish to the eliminatorias. As the road to the World Cup heats up, these matches remind us why soccer’s global stage is full of surprises, heart, and unforgettable stories. Let’s dive into the highlights from this FIFA international window, where dreams of glory hang in the balance for teams across Europe.
England Clinches World Cup Spot, Ronaldo Smashes Record in Eliminatorias Drama
England’s dominance was on full display in Group K, where they demolished Latvia at Daugava Stadium in Riga. The Three Lions, under new manager Thomas Tuchel, have been unstoppable, winning all six of their matches with 18 goals scored and zero conceded—a defensive masterclass that’s got fans buzzing about their chances in 2026. Anthony Gordon kicked things off with a sharp finish in the 15th minute, firing a low shot past the Latvian keeper after a slick build-up. Harry Kane, the captain and Tottenham star, doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 28th, showing his ice-cool nerves. Eberechi Eze added a third just before halftime with a curling beauty from outside the box, leaving the crowd stunned. Kane grabbed his second in the 55th, heading home a cross from Bukayo Saka, but the fifth goal was pure comedy—a bizarre own goal. England’s Djed Spence whipped in a cross, Latvian goalie Krišjānis Zviedris flailed at it with his right hand, only for the ball to ricochet off teammate Maksims Tonisevs and trickle into the net. It was a moment of bad luck for Latvia, but it sealed England’s spot as the first European qualifier, marking their 17th World Cup appearance. With this win, England joins a growing list of 28 teams already bound for North America, including hosts USA, Canada, and Mexico.
In the same group, Serbia kept their hopes alive with a 3-1 victory over Andorra, thanks to goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic. They’re now battling Albania for the playoff spot—Albania holds a slim one-point edge (11 to 10), and their head-to-head clash next month could decide who gets that second chance at qualification. It’s a nail-biter that shows how every point counts in these eliminatorias.
Over in Group F, Portugal’s path to qualification hit a snag despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s heroics in a 2-2 draw against Hungary at Lisbon’s José Alvalade Stadium. The 40-year-old legend, still dazzling for Al-Nassr, scored twice to flip a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead. Hungary struck first through Attila Szalai in the eighth minute, but Ronaldo equalized in the 21st with a clinical finish from a rebound. His second, in the 48th, came off a pinpoint cross from Nuno Mendes, pushing the ball home to make it 2-1. That goal wasn’t just a game-changer—it made Ronaldo the all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifiers with 40 goals, surpassing Guatemala’s Carlos “Pescadito” Ruiz (39). Ronaldo’s career tally now stands at an astonishing 948 goals: 143 for Portugal, 450 for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United, 101 for Juventus, 104 for Al-Nassr, and 5 for Sporting Lisbon. But the joy was short-lived—Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai equalized in the 91st minute, snatching a point and delaying Portugal’s qualification.
Eliminatorias Roundup: England’s Perfect Run, Ronaldo’s Record, and a Free-Kick Flub
Adding to the drama was a hilarious blooper during a first-half free kick. With the score at 0-1, Ronaldo and Nuno Mendes huddled to plan the set piece. Mendes tapped the ball forward expecting Ronaldo to charge, but CR7 stood still, confused—the ball rolled harmlessly away, and Hungary’s Roland Sallai cleared it weakly. It was a rare miscommunication between teammates that went viral, showing even legends have off moments. Portugal now sits atop Group F with 10 points, needing a win over Ireland next to clinch before facing Armenia. Hungary trails with 5 points, while Ireland’s 1-0 win over Armenia keeps them in the playoff mix with 4.
In Group E, Spain kept their perfect record intact with a 4-0 rout of Bulgaria in Valladolid. Mikel Merino bagged a brace, Atanas Chernev scored an unfortunate own goal, and Mikel Oyarzabal rounded it out—Spain’s 15 goals scored and zero conceded through four games scream contender status under Luis de la Fuente. But Turkey’s lurking close behind, hammering Georgia 4-1 to reach 9 points. The two powerhouses face off on November 18 in a winner-takes-all for direct qualification, after Turkey plays Bulgaria and Spain takes on Georgia. It’s a showdown that could define the group.
Across Europe, the eliminatorias are racing toward a November climax: Between the 13th and 18th, the remaining 11 direct spots will be claimed, plus 12 teams for the playoffs battling for four more berths. With England’s qualification, the World Cup field is filling up fast—28 teams locked in, including powerhouses like Brazil, Argentina, Japan, and African stars like Senegal and Ivory Coast. The full list of qualifiers so far includes hosts Canada, Mexico, and USA, plus Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and now England.
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Common Questions About Eliminatorias Clasificó Inglaterra Cristiano Ronaldo
How did England qualify for the 2026 World Cup? England became the first European team to qualify with a 5-0 win over Latvia, finishing their Group K campaign unbeaten with 18 goals scored and none conceded. Goals from Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane (twice), Eberechi Eze, and an own goal sealed their 17th World Cup appearance.
What record did Cristiano Ronaldo break in the qualifiers? Ronaldo became the all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifiers with 40 goals, surpassing Carlos Ruiz’s 39. He scored twice in Portugal’s 2-2 draw with Hungary, bringing his career total to 948 goals across clubs and country.
What was Cristiano Ronaldo’s blooper in the Portugal vs Hungary game? During a free kick, Ronaldo and Nuno Mendes miscommunicated—Mendes tapped the ball forward, but Ronaldo didn’t move, letting it roll away harmlessly. Hungary cleared it, turning the moment into a viral, light-hearted anecdote amid the tension.
Who are the teams already qualified for the 2026 World Cup? As of October 15, 2025, 28 teams are in: Hosts Canada, Mexico, USA; Asia’s Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia; South America’s Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay; Africa’s Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Senegal; Oceania’s New Zealand; and Europe’s England.
What’s the status of Spain and Turkey in the qualifiers? Spain leads Group E with 12 points after a 4-0 win over Bulgaria, while Turkey has 9 after beating Georgia 4-1. Their November 18 head-to-head could decide direct qualification, with both teams unbeaten so far.