Kylian Mbappe's dazzling strike sparks French fireworks in World Cup qualifier frenzy

High-scoring thrillers and stubborn defenses defined a night of drama across the continent.

Germany and Ukraine feasted on goals, but Belgium's blunt attack couldn't pierce North Macedonia's wall in a tense stalemate. With these results, France now lead Group D by five points, Switzerland hold a similar advantage in Group B, Northern Ireland join Germany and Slovakia on six points in a tight Group A, and North Macedonia cling to a one-point edge over Belgium in Group J.

Germany 4-0 Luxembourg

Germany dominated Luxembourg in Sinsheim, with captain Joshua Kimmich netting once per half to seal a clinical rout. David Raum curled in a sublime free-kick after just 12 minutes, and Kimmich slotted home a penalty soon after Dirk Carlson's red card.

Serge Gnabry fired in a fierce shot post-interval, and Kimmich tapped in his brace from close range. Florian Wirtz nearly made it five, his dipping free-kick rattling the bar. Julian Nagelsmann's side now sit level with Northern Ireland and Slovakia on six points in Group A.

France 3-0 Azerbaijan

Kylian Mbappe's wizardry broke Azerbaijan's resilient setup, keeping France's Group D record spotless. As half-time neared, Mbappe weaved past two defenders, linked with Hugo Ekitike, and rifled into the bottom corner.

The hosts poured forward after the break, Ekitike hit the woodwork early, before Adrien Rabiot nodded in from Mbappe's pinpoint cross in the 69th minute. Substitute Florian Thauvin, in his first cap since 2019, volleyed home an acrobatic third just after replacing the star man. France's five-point cushion grows ever wider.

Belgium 0-0 North Macedonia

In Ghent's Group J summit clash, Belgium hogged 69 percent possession and unleashed 25 shots, but North Macedonia's ironclad defense held firm for a precious point. Jeremy Doku dazzled for the Red Devils, his electric dribbles carving out five chances, yet the Red Lynxes' backline repelled everything.

North Macedonia stay one point clear at the top, leaving Belgium to rue their profligacy.

Switzerland 2-0 Sweden

Switzerland eclipsed winless Sweden to forge a five-point lead in Group B, Granit Xhaka's penalty opening the scoring before 19-year-old substitute Johan Manzambi rifled in a late clincher.

The Swiss controlled proceedings, turning possession into precision to extend their unbeaten run.

Ukraine 5-3 Iceland

An eight-goal epic in Reykjavik saw Ukraine edge Iceland, with Ruslan Malinovskyi's double firing the visitors to a 3-1 halftime lead.

Albert Gudmundsson hauled the hosts level at 3-3 with 15 minutes remaining, but Ivan Kaliuzhnyi and Oleh Ocheretko struck late to clinch victory and boost Ukraine's Group D push.

Northern Ireland 2-0 Slovakia

Northern Ireland stunned Slovakia with Trai Hume's delicate lob capping a gritty 2-0 win, leveling both sides with Germany on six points in the bunched Group A.

The Green and White Army dug deep, turning defense into decisive counters to keep their qualification dreams alive.

Kazakhstan 4-0 Liechtenstein

Kazakhstan cruised past Liechtenstein in Group J, piling on four unanswered goals to climb the table and pressure the leaders.

Friday's results
Group A: Northern Ireland 2-0 Slovakia, Germany 4-0 Luxembourg
Group B: Kosovo 0-0 Slovenia, Sweden 0-2 Switzerland 
Group D: Iceland 3-5 Ukraine, France 3-0 Azerbaijan
Group J: Kazakhstan 4-0 Liechtenstein, Belgium 0-0 North Macedonia