Poland level late to end England’s winning streak

Damian Szymanski headed in a stoppage time equaliser as Poland ended England’s 100% record in Group I to draw their World Cup qualifier 1-1 on Wednesday.

Harry Kane had fired England ahead with a swerving strike in the 72nd minute as Gareth Southgate’s side looked set for a sixth straight win.

But in the second minute of stoppage time, substitute Szymanski rose well at the back post to nod in a floated cross from Robert Lewandowski as Poland kept their hopes of qualification alive.

England have 16 points from six games with Albania second on 12 points, Poland on 11 and Hungary on 10 points.

The top team in the group qualifies for next year’s World Cup in Qatar with the second place team heading into the playoffs.

Italy return to winning ways as young guns demolish Lithuania

Italy recorded their first win since being crowned European champions in July as young strikers Moise Kean and Giacomo Raspadori inspired a 5-0 win over Lithuania to strengthen the Azzurri’s grip on first place in Group C.

The two 21-year-olds lit up the first half as Kean netted twice either side of an Edgaras Utkus own goal and a strike from Raspadori, making his first start for his country.

It was the first time Italy, who endured frustrating draws against Bulgaria and Switzerland in their previous two qualifiers, scored four goals in the first 30 minutes of a match.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo inadvertently added a fifth when his second half cross-shot nestled in the bottom corner, as Roberto Mancini’s side comfortably extended their record international unbeaten run to 37 matches.

Fornals and Torres goals give Spain victory in Kosovo

Goals from Pablo Fornals and Ferran Torres earned Spain a 2-0 victory away to Kosovo in World Cup qualifying Group B on Wednesday and dragged them back into automatic qualification contention.

Fornals produced a fine near-post finish from the angle on 32 minutes after smart build-up play from Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata.

Spain’s high backline was put under severe pressure by the hosts and they were indebted to profligate finishing before Torres sealed the win in the 90th minute from a counter-attack.

Luis Enrique’s side moved clear at the top of the group on 13 points from six games, four ahead of Sweden who have played two matches fewer.

Greece defeated Sweden 2-1 on Wednesday to move into third place on six points.

Sane inspires Germany to big win over Iceland

Winger Leroy Sane scored one goal and made another as Germany made it three wins in a row with a resounding 4-0 victory over Iceland in World Cup qualifying Group J on Wednesday.

The Germans, who suffered a shock 2-1 loss to North Macedonia in March, took the lead in the fifth minute when Sane played in Serge Gnabry to score, and Antonio Rudiger added a second with a header from a free kick 20 minutes later.

Iceland had a number of decent chances but Sane killed the game off when he rifled the ball into the roof of the net after another flowing German attack 11 minutes into the second half, and Timo Werner added a late fourth.

Germany top the group on 15 points, four ahead of Armenia. Romania are third on 10 points with four games left to play, with Iceland fifth on four points.

Praet scores for Belgium in a narrow win over Belarus

– Dennis Praet’s first-half goal secured a narrow 1-0 away win for Belgium over Belarus in Kazan on Wednesday to move them closer to World Cup qualification.

The midfielder’s 33rd-minute strike maintained Belgium’s unbeaten run in Group E.