Austria scores 10 goals in FIFA World Cup qualifier; England beat Wales in friendly match

Austria’s 10-0 defeat to the world’s worst football team on Thursday headlined a night of mismatches in World Cup qualifying in Europe, as England overwhelmed Wales in a friendly without Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham.

There were also big wins for the Netherlands and Denmark as European qualifying resumed in the battle to secure places for next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Croatia – runners-up in 2018 and semi-finalists in 2022 – remained in first place and in control of their group after a 0-0 draw with rivals Czech Republic in a match that fell short of expectations.

Austria overwhelmed San Marino – the country bottom of the FIFA world rankings – for its fifth straight qualifying win, with 36-year-old striker Marko Arnautovic scoring four of the goals to become his country’s record goalscorer with 45.

With second-place Bosnia-Herzegovina conceding a goal in stoppage time to draw 2-2 against Cyprus, Austria opened a two-point lead over Group H and has a game in hand.

There are twelve groups in total, with any team finishing in first place going straight to the World Cup. The second-place teams advance to the play-offs.

Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo scored twice and Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders added the third as Premier League stars inspired the Netherlands to beat Malta 4-0.

There was also a late goal from Memphis Depay to extend his national record to 53 for the Dutchman, who was three points ahead of Poland and Finland in Group G.

Finland, who have played one more match, defeated Lithuania 2-1, while Poland returns to qualifying against Lithuania on Sunday.

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Napoli striker Rasmus Hojlund transferred his strong form from Serie A to international football with a first-half double for Denmark in the 6-0 defeat to Belarus. Anders Dreyer also scored twice for the Danes, who stayed ahead of Scotland on goal difference.

Scotland had their luck by coming from behind to win 3-1 at Hampden Park against Greece, who only got a goal from Kostas Tsimikas in the 62nd minute to show their dominance.

Scotland fans showed their discontent with cheers, but Ryan Christie equalized and there were late goals from Lewis Ferguson and Lyndon Dykes – after a terrible goalkeeping error – for Scotland against the run of play.

The Czechs and Croatia could not be separated in a tense match in Prague, which saw the Croats trail their opponents on goal difference but having played one game less.

Wins against Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands at home and Montenegro away in the remaining matches will secure Croatia a place in the World Cup.

The Faroe Islands are third after beating Montenegro 4-0.

England are not eligible for qualifying until next week – when they could secure a place in next year’s tournament in North America by beating Latvia – and warmed up by beating Wales 3-0 thanks to goals in the opening 20 minutes from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Bukayo Saka.

England captain Kane was injured during the match, while coach Thomas Tuchel opted not to call up Real Madrid star Bellingham for this camp despite his return to fitness. Rogers played at number 10 in place of Bellingham and played at Wembley, where the England fans were silent after the team’s impressive first half.

Published on October 10, 2025