2014 World Cup Qualifying: Bosnians make history, Spain and England safely through

EUROPE:

It was nervy for Bosnia and Herzegovina in Lithuania but Vedad Ibisevic found the target with 22 minutes left to ensure a final tournament debut. The Bosnians and Greeks finished on the same number of points, but as the former’s goal difference was three times better than that of their rivals, it is the Balkan side who advance to the World Cup for the first time in their history.

World Champions Spain did what was required of them, winning the group and conserving their unbeaten record by defeating Georgia via goals from Alvaro Negredo and Juan Mata and thus consigning France to settle for a play-off spot.

Russia required only a draw in Azerbaijan to win Group F ahead of Portugal and the 1-1 score line in Baku made sure of that. England overcame Poland by 2-0 to qualify from Group H and Ukraine’s 8-0 victory over San Marino was only good enough to give them a play-off spot.

Meanwhile, Iceland and Romania sealed second position in their groups and qualified for the play-offs. Croatia also clinched a play-off spot despite losing their final game against Scotland. In Group B, Denmark’s 6-0 triumph over Malta allowed them to take 2nd spot behind Italy, yet the Danes are the worst-performing runners-up and thus missed out on the play-offs.

Group winners: Belgium, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, England, Spain.

Play-offs: Croatia, Sweden, Romania, Iceland, Portugal, Greece, Ukraine, France
SOUTH AMERICA:

Chile beat Ecuador 2-1 in Santiago to ensure third place in the regional table with 28 points from their 16 matches, behind already qualified Argentina and Colombia.

Despite their loss, Ecuador secured the final automatic slot ahead of the Uruguayans, who won against a depleted Argentina, on goal difference after both finished on 25 points. Uruguay must now beat Jordan in next month’s intercontinental play-off if they are to reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

CONCACAF:

Honduras secured a 2-2 draw at Jamaica thus getting the point they needed to seal the third and final direct qualifying spot from the region. Mexico lost 1-2 at already qualified Costa Rica and had to thank USA as the Americans scored twice in the stoppage time to break Panama’s hearts thereby ensuring Mexico get the 4th spot and an intercontinental play-off spot against Jordan.

AFRICA:

In the African zone, the first leg of the two-legged playoffs happened between 12-15 October. The continent’s highest ranked team, Ivory Coast eased to a 3-1 victory over Senegal and African Cup finalists Burkina Faso are right on track to reach their maiden World Cup after they overcame Algeria by 3-2. Cameroon will go into the 2nd leg at home as favourite after they played out a draw at Tunisia. Ethiopia lost 1-2 at home against African champions Nigeria and Ghana virtually put a foot in next year’s World Cup with a 6-1 demolition of Egypt.