Chris Wood makes it 9 goals in 8 games as New Zealand top Oceanian World Cup qualification

Chris Wood has scored again on Wednesday night and made it nine goals in his last eight appearances for New Zealand.

Most importantly though, he has helped the Kiwis take a big step towards the World Cup finals in Qatar later this year.

The latest Chris Wood goal came in a 5-0 hammering of the Solomon Islands and it means that Chris Wood is now on 33  goals for New Zealand, four clear of the next highest in their entire history.

Tonight’s game in Qatar, saw Tuiloma give New Zealand a 23rd minute lead and then six minutes before half-time, Newcastle’s Chris Wood added a killer second goal ahead of the break.

Four minutes into the second half and 3-0 to New Zealand, Bell getting that goal. Tuiloma then adding his second and New Zealand’s fourth.

Chris Wood then subbed off in the 83rd minute, with finally Garbett adding a fifth goal in added time.

This result means that Chris Wood and his teammates have topped Oceanian qualifying and that means they now go into a very final play-off, also in Qatar, on the 13 June or 14 June.

New Zealand will play whoever finishes fourth in CONCACAF qualifying, in that one-off match in June, with the winners going to the World Cup finals in Qatar in November / December later this year.

The final CONCACAF group games to be played later tonight and it looks set to almost certainly be Costa Rica who finish fourth and then play New Zealand.

Chris Wood’s goal tonight means that he finishes with five goals in this Oceanian World Cup qualifying competition that has been hosted in Qatar these past two weeks. Those five goals making the Newcastle striker top scorer in qualifying.

Newcastle United have picked up a massive 20 points in the 10 Premier League games Chris Wood has played in, the striker playing every minute of all ten games and working so hard for the team. However, whilst it is obviously a different level in the Premier League, hopefully getting back in the knack of scoring goals whilst on international duty, will see Chris Wood add a few goals to his current tally of one that was scored in the win at Southampton.

Newcastle United players on international duty in March 2022

Monday 21 March

New Zealand 4 Fiji 0 World Cup qualifier (played at neutral venue in Qatar)

Chris Wood scored twice and went on to 30 goals for his country, making him New Zealand’s top goalscorer ever.

Thursday 24 March

New Zealand 7 New Caledonia 1 World Cup qualifier (played at neutral venue in Qatar)

The Kiwis brought the Newcastle United January signing on in the 71st minute and he still scored two goals, which makes it eight goals for Chris Wood in his last six appearances for New Zealand. Those goals in the 7-1 demolition job on New Caledonia, means that Chris Wood is now on 32 goals for New Zealand, three clear of the next highest in the national team’s history.

Brazil 4 Chile 0 World Cup qualifier

Coming off the bench after 82 minutes when replacing Manchester United’s Fred and the score at 3-0, Bruno Guimaraes was swiftly into the thick of the action.

In the first minute of injury time the Newcastle midfielder threaded a pass through to Richarlison and the Everton striker supplied an excellent left foot finish to make it 4-0. Brazil are unbeaten in the group, long since qualified for Qatar and now all but certain to finish top of the group ahead of Argentina.

Paraguay 3 Ecuador 1 World Cup qualifier

After a dismal run of five defeats and two draws in their last seven South American group qualifiers, a rare bit of positivity for Paraguay and Miguel Almiron.

With chances of qualifying for Qatar long gone, second bottom of the (10 team) group Paraguay beat third top Ecuador 3-1.

An excellent performance from Miguel Almiron seeing him crown his display with some excellent footwork on the edge of the box and a sweet left foot finish into the bottom corner.

Sweden 1 Czech Republic 0 World Cup qualifier

Sweden won their play-off semi-final and now will play Poland on Tuesday (29 March) night, the winner guaranteed a place at the World Cup finals in Qatar later this year. Emil Krafth missed this game due to suspension but will be back available on Tuesday.

Friday 25 March

Norway 2 Slovakia 0 Friendly

Martin Dubravka not involved due to injury / illness, has withdrawn from the squad.

Saturday 26 March Friendly

England 2 Switzerland 1

Fabian Schar wasn’t involved, as withdrawn from the squad due to injury.

Sunday 27 March World Cup qualifier (played at neutral venue in Qatar)

New Zealand 1 Tahiti 0, Chris Wood playing the full 90 minutes but not scoring on this occasion.

Tuesday 29 March World Cup qualifier

Poland 2 Sweden 0 (Emil Krafth)

A World Cup play-off final decider with the winner on the night qualifying for the finals in Qatar and ending in disaster for Emil Krafth.

Finland 0 Slovakia 2 Friendly

Martin Dubravka wasn’t involved due to injury / illness, having withdrawn from the squad, as Slovakia picked up an impressive away win.

Switzerland 1 Kosovo 1 Friendly

Switzerland played out a disappointing draw at home but Fabian Schar wasn’t be involved, as he was withdrawn from the squad due to injury.

Peru 2 Paraguay 0 World Cup qualifier (Kick-off was 12.30am UK time)

The final group match for Paraguay and a lame 2-0 defeat to Peru, the defeat in Lima saw Miguel Almiron missing from the squad due to suspension.

Bolivia 0 Brazil 4 World Cup qualifier (Kick-off was 12.30am UK time)

A sixth appearance for Brazil, only his second start, Bruno Guimaraes took full advantage.

A superb 90 minutes from the Newcastle United midfielder as he scored a quality right foot volley and his assist for the opening goal was arguably even better.

A great night all round for Bruno Guimaraes and it was perfection, with the Newcastle player creating the opening goal for his big mate Lucas Paqueta and then Bruno’s former Lyon teammate returning the compliment when laying on Guimaraes first goal for his country.

Wednesday 30 March (played at neutral venue in Qatar)

New Zealand 5 Solomon Islands 0 (World Cup qualifier)