Germany secured their first victory of the campaign with a 3-1 success against Northern Ireland in Cologne, while Spain overwhelmed Turkey 6-0. The Netherlands edged Lithuania 3-2 and Belgium swept aside Kazakhstan 6-0.
Germany were ahead inside 7 minutes when Serge Gnabry lifted a neat finish over Peacock Farrell. Northern Ireland levelled on 34 minutes through Price, who met a deep corner with a crisp volley. Julian Nagelsmann’s side regained control after the interval. Nadiem Amiri restored the lead on 69 minutes and Florian Wirtz settled it 3 minutes later. Slovakia stay top of Group A after a 1-0 win in Luxembourg. The hosts struck the woodwork twice and had a goal ruled out before Rigo scored at the 90 minute mark. Germany and Northern Ireland have 3 points each, Luxembourg remain on 0.
Spain made it two wins from two in Group E and moved to 6 points. Pedri opened the scoring on 6 minutes and completed the rout on 62. Mikel Merino struck twice before the break and completed his hat trick on 57. Ferran Torres added the fourth on 53 after fine work by Lamine Yamal. Nico Williams went off injured late in the first half. Turkey stay on 3 points, level with Georgia, who beat Bulgaria 3 0. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck on 30 minutes, Gagnidze doubled the lead on 44 and Mikautadze finished the job on 66. Bulgaria remain without a point.
The Netherlands returned to winning ways in Group G and are up to 10 points from 4 matches. Memphis Depay scored on 11 minutes and again on 63, becoming his country’s record scorer with 52 goals. Jurrien Timber had made it 2-0 on 33, but Lithuania hit back. Gineitis pulled one back on 36 and crossed for Girdvainis to equalise on 43. Depay’s second, from a Dumfries assist, proved decisive. Poland defeated Finland 3-1. Matty Cash struck on 27 minutes, Robert Lewandowski scored in first half added time from a long pass by Piotr Zielinski and Kaminski made it 3-0 on 55. Kallman replied on 88. Poland have 10 points from 5 games, Finland remain on 7. Malta are on 2 points and were idle.
Belgium continued their free scoring form in Group J with another 6-0 win, this time against Kazakhstan. Kevin De Bruyne broke the deadlock on 42 minutes with a right foot strike into the top corner after an assist from Charles De Ketelaere. Jeremy Doku doubled the lead a minute later from a De Bruyne pass. Raskin made it 3 on 51 and Doku added the fourth on 60, again from De Ketelaere. De Bruyne claimed Belgium’s fifth on 84 from Saelemaekers, who then set up Meunier on 87. Belgium move to 10 points from 4 matches, level with Wales who have already played 5. Kazakhstan remain on 3 from 5. North Macedonia top the group on 11 after a 5 0 victory over Liechtenstein, sealed by a Buchel own goal on 15 following a brilliant Elmas run, then strikes from Bardhi on 52, Churlinov on 56, Kjamili on 82 and Stankovski on 90. Liechtenstein are still without a point after 5 games.
