GENEVA (AP) — Spain still looks the best team in Europe, England finally put on a show in World Cup qualifying, and France got back-to-back wins while almost dropping points despite Kylian Mbappé's goals.

Every European team has now begun its qualifying group and it was a good week for 40-year-old greats Cristiano Ronaldo, in Portugal’s fast start, and Luka Modrić, with Croatia leading its group.

Erling Haaland’s five-goal haul in Norway’s 11-1 beating of Moldova pushed Italy closer to the playoffs in a group where goal difference could be decisive.

Italy had perhaps the strangest week in its quest to avoid missing a third straight World Cup .

The four-time champion earned six points and scored 10 goals yet ended with new coach Gennaro Gattuso filmed aiming expletives at an Israel p

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