"Cristiano, inside the box, continues to be a very high-level player," Fernandes said. "He draws defenders and creates space for other players. "If Cristiano doesn't play and Goncalo does, Goncalo is strong in pressing and good at diagonal runs. "When I'm not playing and Bernardo [Silva] is playing as a number 10, Bernardo gives you more possession, I make more of a final pass.
El Salvador are already out of the World Cup running, but Panama are locked in a battle with Suriname for top spot in Group A of this final qualification phase. The group winner goes to the World Cup, but the best two runners-up from the three groups go to the playoffs, so it's not all over if Panama don't win the group.
Ranked No. 136 in the world, Faroe Islands won their third match on the spin to overcome the Czechs and apply pressure for qualification in Group L. They took the lead through Hanus Sorensen's well-taken goal after 67 minutes but when Adam Karabec equalised 11 minutes later it seemed they would have to settle for a point. It took Faroe Islands just three minutes to change the dynamic of the match,
The Netherlands took another commanding step toward World Cup 2026 qualification with a 4-0 win over Finland in Amsterdam. Ronald Koeman's side blew their visitors away with a ruthless first-half display, and a late Cody Gakpo strike capped off a dominant evening for the Oranje. It took just eight minutes for Donyell Malen to open the scoring, curling home from Memphis Depay's clever one-two. Depay then turned provider again nine minutes later, delivering a perfect free-kick for Virgil van Dijk to head in and double the lead.
Thursday evening's win over Wales was another step forward for Thomas Tuchel as England manager. England were comfortable in the friendly at Wembley and Tuchel has been characteristically bold in his comments about keeping his focus on team over talent with World Cup 2026 on the horizon. Serbia's surprise Group K loss against Albania in Leskovac on Saturday means England would secure their World Cup spot with a win over Latvia in Riga on Tuesday.
Uruguay have already booked their spot in next year's World Cup under boss Marcelo Bielsa, and will now have their eyes set on the tournament next year. The same cannot be said for Chile, who find themselves at the foot of the qualification table heading into the final game, without a win in their last five. Nevertheless, for Bielsa's men, this game represents precious minutes to warm up to the main event next summer.
