Tomáš Souček’s incredible scoring run continued as his fourth goal in as many games for Club and country helped inspire Czechia to an emphatic 6-0 win over Gibraltar in their final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying UEFA Group L clash.
Following Croatia’s 3-1 win over the Faroe Islands on Friday, the Irons midfielder and his teammates went into Monday night’s game in Olomouc assured of second place in the five-team table, and a spot in next Spring’s play-offs.
A 1-0 friendly win over San Marino on Thursday had perhaps left the Czech fans somewhat underwhelmed, but there was no shortage of entertainment against Gibraltar, with David Douděra’s fifth-minute opener setting the tone early on.
Further goals from Tomáš Chorý, former Hammer Vladimír Coufal and Adam Karabec put the hosts in a commanding position, before captain Souček headed in his 17th senior international goal on his 87th appearance to make it 5-0 before the half-time whistle.
Having hit the net to help West Ham United to crucial wins over Newcastle United and Burnley before the international break, goals in both matches for his country this month mean he has now scored in each of his last four outings, and five times overall this season following his EFL Cup strike away at Wolverhampton Wanderers in August.
Robin Hranáč’s close-range finish put gloss on the scoreline for Jaroslav Köstl’s troops, who finish with 16 points from their eight games and will now fix their attentions on Thursday’s draw for the play-offs, where they will ultimately hope to secure qualification for the finals for the first time since 2006.
Another side who will be eagerly anticipating the play-offs draw will be Callum Marshall’s Northern Ireland, who signed off from UEFA Group A with a 1-0 home triumph over Luxembourg.
Michael O’Neill’s men went into the Windsor Park contest knowing they couldn’t finish in the top two after defeat to Slovakia on Friday, but that they had qualified for the play-offs as a UEFA Nations League group winner.
Jamie Donley’s 44th-minute penalty proved decisive against bottom side Luxembourg, with Marshall coming on to win his 14th cap with 23 minutes left to play. The result means Northern Ireland finish third with three wins and nine points from their six group-stage fixtures.
