Two goals from Romelu Lukaku fired Belgium's golden
generation into next year's World Cup finals with Germany
and Switzerland also sealing their tickets to the Brazil
extravaganza on Friday.
Belgium, boasting one of the most talented squads in
Europe, will return to the global showpiece for the first
time since 2002 after a 2-1 win in Croatia guaranteed top
spot in Group A.
Germany's 3-0 home win over Ireland,
with goals from Sami Khedira, Andre Schuerrle and Mesut
Ozil, put them through from Group C while the Swiss won
2-1 in Albania to wrap up Group E.
Netherlands, with Robin van Persie hitting a hat-trick in an
8-1 demolition of Hungary to surpass Patrick Kluivert as
record Dutch scorer with 41 goals, and Italy had sealed
their passage to the finals before Friday's penultimate round
of qualifiers.
Defending Champions, Spain moved to the brink of qualification from Group I after captain Xavi and substitute Alvaro Negredo struck in a laboured 2-1 win at home to Belarus.
Group F leaders Russia, with a 4-0 victory in Luxembourg,
and England, who beat Montenegro 4-1 at Wembley with
Wayne Rooney among the scorers, remain in pole position
in Group H ahead of Tuesday's final round of matches.
Injury-hit Germany, boosted by the return of midfielder
Bastian Schweinsteiger after a six-month break to earn his
99th cap, still swept aside Ireland.
"I think overall we played a very good qualification. We
won eight of nine so we can be satisfied. Something still
needs to happen though. The defence needs to become
more stable," said coach Joachim Loew.
Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck a late winner to
earn a 2-1 victory over Austria that secured second place
behind the Germans and one of the playoff spots.
The eight best group runners-up advance to a two-legged
playoff in November to fill the last four European places.
Goals from Xherdan Shaqiri and Michael Lang clinched
Switzerland's passage with their successful campaign built
around a rock-solid defence that has conceded just six
goals.
Iceland or Slovenia will finish second in the group.
Iceland, 2-0 winners over Cyprus on Friday, will secure
that spot if they can win in Norway on Tuesday while
Slovenia, who face the Swiss in Berne, stayed in
contention thanks to Milivoje Novakovic's hat-trick in a
3-0 drubbing of the Norwegians.
Spain's victory in Palma de Mallorca put them three points
clear of France with one match to play and a point against
lowly Georgia in Albacete on Tuesday will secure the
world and European champions a berth in Brazil.
Russia need a point from their final game away at
Azerbaijan to qualify after brushing aside Luxembourg to
move three points ahead of Portugal.
A late blunder from goalkeeper Rui Patricio gifted Israel a
1-1 draw in Lisbon to leave Portugal, who led through a
first half goal from centre back Ricardo Costa, staring at the
playoffs.
England will win their section with victory at home to
Poland. Roy Hodgson's side had to remain patient to
overcome stubborn Montenegro who had not lost to the
1966 World Cup winners in three previous meetings.
Rooney, who missed the last two qualifiers through injury,
eased England's nerves when he struck soon after the restart
and a Branko Boskovic own goal, a stunning third on his
debut by Andros Townsend, and an injury-time penalty
from Daniel Sturridge secured victory.
Ukraine remain one point behind and must hope England
slip up against the Poles. Andriy Yarmolenko scored the
only goal as the Ukrainians edged Poland 1-0 in Kharkiv
which all but ended the Euro 2012 co-hosts' hopes of
progressing.
Bosnia, seeking to reach their first major tournament as an
independent nation, and Greece remain neck-and-neck on
22 points at the top of Group G after home wins on Friday.
Bosnia, with Edin Dzeko scoring twice, thumped
Liechtenstein 4-1 while a Martin Skrtel own goal handed
Greece a 1-0 success at home to Slovakia.
Nicklas Bendtner made a sensational return from a six-
month ban by netting both goals in Denmark's 2-2 draw at
home to Italy in Group B.
The striker was suspended by the Danish FA after being
arrested for drink-driving but his international return was
spoiled by Alberto Aquilani's stoppage-time equaliser.
The Danes remain third, level on 13 points with Bulgaria
who had two players sent off in a 2-1 defeat in Armenia.
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