Thomas Tuchel got the response he was looking for as his England side followed a flat 2-0 win over Andorra with a stirring 5-0 success over Serbia in Belgrade.
Erling Haaland hit the net five times on his own as Norway thrashed Moldova 11-1 in World Cup qualifying and there was a record-equalling goal for Cristiano Ronaldo.
The news was worse for Republic of Ireland fans as a 2-1 defeat in Armenia left them with a mountain to climb in their World Cup qualifying group.
Tuchel pleased as England pull together
England were in need of a bright performance to ignite Thomas Tuchel’s tenure and they delivered with a flourish in their 5-0 win over Serbia.
Harry Kane settled the nerves with a headed effort in the 33rd minute and Marcus Rashford’s late penalty ended his near two-year international drought. In between, the impressive Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi all scored their first England goals.
“We were very strong,” Tuchel said. “I think it was teamwork in its purest form.
“We put the work in to not allow one shot on target for a strong home team. If you want to do this, you need to support each other, you need to play disciplined and keep the intensity up.”
Merciless Haaland monsters Moldova
Erling Haaland warmed up for the Manchester derby with five goals in Norway’s 11-1 hammering of Moldova.
The Manchester City hitman rung up a fifth hat-trick for his country between the 11th and 43rd minutes and was not done there, striking twice more in the second half.
In taking his record to 48 goals in 45 caps, he took a familiar spot in centre stage despite team-mate Thelo Aasgaard scoring four after arriving as a 64th-minute substitute. Even Moldova’s consolation came from a Norwegian player, Leo Ostigard with the own goal in a result that equalled the record for a European World Cup qualifier.
Elsewhere, 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 39th World Cup qualifying goal to level the record of Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz.
Forest turn to Postecoglou
Nottingham Forest is delighted to confirm the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as the Club’s First Team Head Coach.
Postecoglou has been in management for over 25 years, arriving on Trentside with experience of regularly competing and winning trophies at the highest level.… pic.twitter.com/Yc2XLrZa7M
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 9, 2025
Ange Postecoglou is back in the Premier League, with Nottingham Forest hoping their new head coach can bring silverware back to the club.
The former Tottenham boss was appointed as Forest’s head coach less than 24 hours after Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis said: “We are bringing a coach to the club who has a proven and consistent record of winning trophies.
“After gaining promotion to the Premier League, then building consistently season after season to secure European football, we now must take the right step to compete with the very best and challenge for trophies. Ange has the credentials and the track record to do this, and we are excited he is joining us on our ambitious journey.”
Irish struggles continue under Hallgrimsson
Defeat in Armenia. pic.twitter.com/VdA6zK2dSL
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 9, 2025
Heimir Hallgrimsson accepted his job as Republic of Ireland manager is under question following a painful 2-1 defeat in Armenia.
The 58-year-old head coach shouldered responsibility for a damaging loss that leaves their hopes of emerging from qualifying Group F hanging by a thread.
The Icelandic coach is contracted until the end of the campaign and faces a fight to prove he is the right man.
Asked if the question marks were valid, he told RTE: “Yes, of course. That’s the job of the coach. If they are not producing, then of course it’s always under question.
“I’m not naive, that’s understandable now. After this performance, of course I will take the blame for this.”
Wales suffer setback in Swansea
Craig Bellamy tasted a home defeat for the first time in charge of Wales, who lost 1-0 against Canada in friendly action in Swansea.
Recent Rangers signing Derek Cornelius planted a free-kick from 25 yards past home goalkeeper Adam Davies just before the interval and Canada were well worth the win.
Although a narrow scoreline, it was well deserved as Canada hit the woodwork twice and spurned several other scoring opportunities.
There was plenty of competitive edge, with English referee Robert Jones brandishing eight yellow cards in a tetchy contest. Bellamy took exception to opposite number Jesse Marsch’s post-match celebrations and said: “I’m thinking, ‘I hope I see you at the World Cup. I hope I see you again’.”
What’s on today?
Players will begin heading back to their clubs after the end of the European international break.
