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Italy's hopes of at least making the World Cup qualifying playoffs were given a boost with a 3-1 win away to Estonia on Saturday thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Francesco Pio Esposito, Reuters reported.

Italy failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the dreaded backdoor route now looks their most likely chance after Norway's 5-0 hammering of Israel in Group I earlier on Saturday.

The Norwegians are top on 18 points from six games. Italy have 12 points with a game in hand on their rivals and are three points clear of Israel. Estonia remain fourth on three points, according to Reuters.

Portugal's Ruben Neves scored a stoppage-time goal to snatch a 1-0 win over Ireland that preserved their 100% record in World Cup qualifying Group F and consolidated top spot on Saturday, Reuters reported.

Portugal moved to nine points at the halfway stage of the campaign with a five-point lead over second-placed Hungary, who they host on Tuesday when they could secure qualification.

Neves headed home a minute into added time at the Estadio Jose Alvalade for his first international goal in 60 appearances, according to Reuters.

Iraq sealed a 1-0 victory over Indonesia in Jeddah on Saturday to maintain their hopes of a first World Cup appearance since 1986 as Zidane Iqbal's second-half strike eliminated Patrick Kluivert's side from Asia's qualifiers for next year's finals, Reuters reported.

Former Manchester United midfielder Iqbal, who currently plays his club football for Utrecht, netted with 14 minutes remaining after coming off the bench at the start of the second half for Graham Arnold's team.

The result means Iraq will face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, with the winners of the tie qualifying for the World Cup while the runners-up advance to another round of preliminaries. Indonesia, meanwhile, have been eliminated after two losses, according to Reuters.

Algeria has become the fourth African country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup — and all of them are from the north of the continent, Associated Press reported.

A 3-0 win over Somalia on Thursday guaranteed Algeria first place in Group G in African qualifying with a match to spare and a return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014.

Algeria, captained by Riyad Mahrez and led by former Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic, joined neighboring nations Morocco and Tunisiaas well as Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in securing a spot in next year’s expanded 48-team tournament being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, according to Association Press.