Spain and Italy on course; France, Portugal struggle

HAMBURG - World champions Italy and Europe’s title-holders Spain took major steps towards qualifying for next year’s World Cup finals with victories, but France and Portugal have a fight on their hands after being held to draws Saturday.

A last-minute goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic meanwhile gave Sweden a 2-1 victory in Hungary to boost their hopes in a closely-fought Group 1 where leaders Denmark were pegged by a late Portugal equalizer.

In other groups Turkey kept their hopes alive with a 4-2 home win over Estonia, Latvia boosted their chances with a 1-0 win in Israel and there were important wins for Russia and Scotland among others.

France were jeered of the pitch at the Stade de France after being held 1-1 by visiting Romania. It leaves Raymond Domenech’s side four points adrift of Serbia in Group 7, where Austria kept their outside hopes alive with a 3-1 defeat of the Faroe Islands.

Thierry Henry put France ahead shortly after the break only for Julien Escude to put through his own net shortly afterwards.

France now visit Serbia Wednesday in a match they cannot afford to lose.

Spain brushed Belgium aside with a 5-0 win in Group 5, David Villa and David Silva scoring a brace each and Gerard Pique also on target.

With a maximum 21 points from seven matches, Spain will seal qualification for next year’s finals in South Africa if they beat Estonia Wednesday.

Bosnia-Herzegovina were 2-0 winners in Armenia to move to 15 points - six behind Spain - while Turkey improved to 11 with a 4-2 win over Estonia and are now in a battle for a play-off place.

In Group 1, Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner put Denmark ahead against Portugal who managed to grab a point when Liedson levelled with four minutes remaining.

Barcelona’s Ibrahimovic gave Sweden the points against Hungary with a 90th-minute goal after Szabolcs Huszti had cancelled out an early Olof Mellberg goal.

Denmark lead the group on 17 points, with Hungary on 13, Sweden on 12 and Portugal - who visit Hungary on Wednesday - on 10.

Group 8 leaders Italy downed Georgia 2-0 thanks to two own goals within 10 minutes from Kakhaber Kaladze, while unbeaten Bulgaria kept their hopes alive by downing Montenegro 4-1. Bulgaria move to 11 points, six behind Italy, with and five adrift of Ireland who defeat Cyprus 2-1 away thanks to a 73rd Robbie Keane winner.

Russia stayed on Germany’s heels with a 3-0 win over Liechtenstein.

First-half goals from defender Vasili Berezutski (17th minute) and two penalties from Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko (40 and 45) made sure of the victory in St Petersburg.

Guus Hiddink’s side moves to within a point of Group 4 leaders Germany (19 points), who were not in World Cup qualifying action.

Finland stayed in with an outside qualifying chance by coming from behind to defeat Azerbaijan 2-1.

On Wednesday, Germany are at home to Azerbaijan, who have no chance of qualifying, while Russia are at Wales and Finland visit bottom side Liechtenstein.

Goals from Scott Brown and James McFadden gave Scotland a 2-0 win over Macedonia in Glasgow to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Brown opened the scoring at Hampden Park in the 56th minute and McFadden made sure of the victory 10 minutes from time with a solo run after winning the ball in midfield.

Scotland now face already-qualified Netherlands Wednesday in their quest for a play-off place in Group 9.

The Dutch lead the group on 21 points, followed by Scotland (10), Macedonia (7) and Norway (7) who drew 1-1 in Iceland (5).

In Group 6, Ukraine enjoyed a 5-0 win over Andorra while Croatia edged Belarus thanks to a first-half goal from Ivan Rakitic.

England - not in World Cup action - lead the group on 21 points, four ahead of Croatia, with Ukraine three points further behind.

Switzerland improved their chances by downing Group 2 rivals Greece thanks to late goals from Stephane Grichting (83) and Marco Padalino (88).

The win moves Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side top on 16 points, while Greece are level on 13 with Latvia who edged Israel 1-0.

Group 3 stays tight after leaders Slovakia were held 2-2 by Czech Republic whose hopes of qualifying are dwindling, while Poland and Northern Ireland finished a goal apiece.

Slovakia lead on 16 points, with Northern Ireland on 14, Poland and Slovenia on 11 and Czech Republic on 9.