World Cup Qualifiers: European Zone

Group A
Macedonia 2-1 Wales
Scotland 0-2 Belgium
Serbia 1-1 Croatia

Belgium opened up a five-point lead in Group A as they won 2-0 away at Scotland and their nearest challengers Croatia could only manage to draw 1-1 against Serbia.

Group B
Czech Republic 1-2 Armenia
Italy 1-0 Bulgaria
Malta 1-2 Denmark

A depleted Italy side won 1-0 against Bulgaria and saw them take their tally in Group B to 17 points. Bulgaria are second on 10 points and Czech Republic, Armenia and Denmark all are bunched together on nine points.

Group C
Kazakhstan 2-1 Faroe Islands
Republic of Ireland 1-2 Sweden
Germany 3-0 Austria

Germany inched closer to World Cup 2014 as they dispatched Austria 3-0 and Miroslav Klose made history by scoring his 68th goal for Germany levelling him with Gerd Mueller in his country’s all-time top scorer list, but it is worth noting that Muller racked up his 68 goals in 62 appearances, while Klose has done it in 129. Sweden took an important step towards second place and a play-off spot by triumphing 2-1 in Dublin against Ireland.

Group D
Romania 3-0 Hungary
Turkey 5-0 Andorra
Estonia 2-2 Netherlands

Estonia came desperately close to registering one of the greatest results in their history on Friday, but were denied by a stoppage-time Robin van Persie penalty. Further down the table, Romania placed themselves in pole position for a potential play-off slot, disposing of Hungary courtesy of a 3-0 win.

Group E
Norway 2-0 Cyprus
Switzerland 4-4 Iceland
Slovenia 1-0 Albania

Switzerland, who remain in control of Group E, played out an incredible 4-4 draw against Iceland having lead at one stage by 3 goals. In the group’s other fixtures, Albania were defeated in Slovenia and Norway overcame Cyprus, moving up into second position in the process.

Group F
Russia 4-1 Luxembourg
Northern Ireland 2-4 Portugal

A Cristiano Ronaldo hattrick inspired Portugal to a 4-2 win over Northern Ireland. The Iberians maintain a two-point lead over Russia, who comfortably overpowered Luxembourg, but have played a game more than their nearest challengers.

Group G
Latvia 2-1 Lithuania
Liechtenstein 0-1 Greece
Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-1 Slovakia

Bosnia-Herzegovina were dealt a blow to their hopes to reach their maiden World Cup as they were defeated at home by Slovakia. Greece, had a pleasing evening all round, as their victory coupled with the Bosnians’ reverse sees them join the Bosnians on 16 points with three games left to play.

Group H
Ukraine 9-0 San Marino
England 4-0 Moldova
Poland 1-1 Montenegro

Montenegro eked out a draw in Poland, where Robert Lewandowski cancelled out Dejan Damjanovic’s opener, but now find themselves below England on goal difference following England’s 4-0 success versus Moldova.England’s upcoming opponents Ukraine now sit just one point further back after dismantling San Marino 9-0, in a game that featured eight different goalscorers.

Group I
Georgia 0-0 France
Finland 0-2 Spain

It now appears likely that the French will have to reach Brazil 2014 via the play-offs, following their 0-0 draw with a resilient Georgian team.
World champions Spain appear to have one foot in Brazil claiming victory against Finland with goals from Jordi Alba and Alvaro Negredo.