Stones shines as England qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals

John Stones started and set up England’s opening goal as the Three Lions beat Latvia 5-0 in Riga to book their place at the 2026 World Cup finals.

The City central defender produced an accomplished all-round display as Thomas Tuchel’s side maintained a perfect record with their sixth straight win in Group K of European qualifying and so confirm their ticket to next summer’s showpiece in North America and Mexico.

Stones it was who set up Anthony Gordon’s 26th minute opener. His superb long-range pass evaded the Latvian defence and allowed Gordon the space to cut inside from the left flank before the Newcastle star curled a superb effort into the bottom corner of the net.

Skipper Harry Kane then struck twice in three minutes on the stroke of half time to all but book the Three Lions’ ticket to next summer’s showpiece.

First the Bayern Munich striker taking advantage of a Latvian error before finishing in customary predatory fashion on 44 minutes.

Three minutes later Kane struck again, this time from the penalty spot, for his 76th international goal, after he has been fouled in the box.

The brace meant Kane had scored more than one goal in a match for England for the 13th time - a new Three Lions record, surpassing Nat Lofthouse's previous best of 12.

England further extended their lead just before the hour thanks to an own goal from Andrejs Ciganiks with Stones making way for Dan Burn on 71 minutes before fellow sub Eberechi Eze rounded off a night to remember with England’s fifth goal.

Nico O'Reilly and James Trafford were unused substitutes for England.

Elsewhere, Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias both started as Portugal drew 2-2 with Hungary in a dramatic Group F clash in Lisbon.

Adam Szalai had headed the visitors into an eighth minute lead before Cristiano Ronaldo restored parity on 22 minutes with what was his 142nd international goal for his country.

Ronaldo was then on target again in first half injury time converting Nuno Mendes’ inviting assist to put Roberto Martinez’s men in the driving seat and seemingly en route to the finals.

Portugal were indebted to a crucial block from Dias 18 minutes that denied Szalai a second goal after his initial effort had rebounded off the bar.

But with Portugal on the brink of a win that would have sealed their ticket to the finals, Hungary claimed a 91st minute leveller through Dominik Szoboszlai.

However, Portugal - for whom Matheus Nunes was an unused sub -still lead the way with 10 points from four games with Hungary second on five points ahead of November's deciding last two qualifiers.

City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was captain as Italy recorded a crucial  3-0 win at home to Israel in their latest Group I clash in Udine.

Mateo Retegui’s 45th minute penalty had fired the Azzurri into the lead and Retegui then struck again 15 minutes from time to all but secure victory for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.

And a fine night's work was then rounded off by Gianluca Mancini's 93rd minute effort.

The victory leaves Italy second in Group I on 15 points with Norway leading the way on 18 points with both sides having played six games.

Elsewhere, Oscar Bobb featured for the full 90 minutes as Norway drew 1-1 with New Zealand in a friendly staged in Oslo.

The All Whites took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Finn Surman’s near post effort before the Norwegians ensured a share of the spoils thanks to Antonio Nusa’s leveller just past the hour mark.