Germany, England, Italy, France win World Cup qualifiers to head their groups

France, England, Germany and Italy all head their groups after victories in the World Cup qualifying on Sunday while Spain left it late to win in Georgia and Denmark smashed eight past Moldova.

Germany, England, Italy, and France- all European heavyweights- secured victories, though Spain left it late — the second minute of stoppage time, to be precise — to see off Georgia 2-1 after falling behind. World champions France got their first win of the campaign by beating Kazakhstan 2-0 in Nur-Sultan after a stuttering start to qualifying with Wednesday's 1-1 draw at home to Ukraine. Italy stretched its unbeaten streak to 24 games with a 2-0 win in Bulgaria, and England also moved onto a maximum of six points in group play with a 2-0 victory at Albania. Germany made it two straight wins to open qualifying, too, by beating Romania 1-0 away. Harry Kane scored his first England goal since 2019 to lead his side to a comfortable 2-0 win against Albania in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday to top Group I.