England vs Montenegro:
Both teams were left
frustrated, with neither side having clear-cut chances in the first half.
Within three minutes of the restart,
England had the goal they craved. Townsend charged down the wing at speed
before pulling a cross back that was flicked into Welbeck's path. His shot did
not beat Poleksic but it was hit with enough power to prevent the Montenegro
keeper from holding it. Rooney stuck out a leg, brought the ball under control
and from a central position calmly slotted it in.
The sense of relief was
palpable, matched almost by stunned amazement at the manner of England's
second. Sturridge's back-heel released Welbeck, whose cross was dangerous only
for Boskovic, who, from 12 yards, somehow found the bottom corner when he was
attempting to clear.
Townsend was not watching
though. He just picked up the ball and ran straight through the heart of
Montenegro's defence before producing a brilliant finish.
There was still time for an
injury-time penalty, converted by Sturridge after he had been fouled by Ivan
Kecojevic, but it was academic.
Croatia 1-2 Belgium:
Marc Wilmots' star-studded
Belgians have cruised through their qualification campaign, with Friday's 2-1
win their eighth of the group stage - their only dropped points so far coming
with a draw at home to Croatia in September last year.
Belgium ensured they will
deservedly take their place at next year's World Cup in Brazil as a Romelu
Lukaku brace sealed an impressive victory over Croatia in Zagreb.
The visitors needed only to
avoid defeat to be sure of qualifying as winners of Group A but got across the
line with plenty in reserve as Croatia - who replied late on through Niko
Kranjcar - had to be content with a place in the play-offs.
Denmark vs Italy:
Dani Osvaldo put the Azzurri
ahead in the 28th minute before Nicklas Bendtner pulled the hosts level on the
stroke of half-time.
The Danes were twice denied
by the woodwork early in the second half before Bendtner put them ahead with 12
minutes remaining.
However, Aquilani's
close-range effort in the 90th minute earned group winners Italy a point and
left Denmark trailing second-placed Bulgaria -- who earlier lost 2-1 in Armenia
-- on goal difference ahead of the final round of matches.
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi
Buffon became Italy's most capped player as he made his 137th appearance.
Sweeden vs Austria:
Austria were on course to
join second-placed Sweden on 17 points in Group C after Martin Harnik's
29th-minute strike gave them the lead.
A disappointing second half
for Austria was summed up when they lost Stoke striker Marko Arnautovic to a
straight red card in the closing stages.
However, Sweden drew level
soon after the interval through Martin Olsson and star striker Ibrahimovic then
struck the winning goal with four minutes left to ensure his side will finish
second in Group C behind winners Germany.
Netherlands vs Hungary:
Netherlands may have
qualified for the World Cup last month, but that did not stop them having an
impact on the fight for the play-off spot in Group D as they hammered Hungary
8-1 in Amsterdam.
Robin Van Persie, unusually
short on goals for Manchester United this season -- led the way with a hat-trick,
with Kevin Strootman, Jermain Lens, Rafael Van der Vaart, Arjen Robben and a
Szilard Devecseri own goal all contributing.
Other World Cup Qualifying - UEFA:
Wales 1 - 0 Macedonia
Armenia 2 - 1 Bulgaria
Malta 1 - 4 Czech
Republic
Faroe Islands 1 - 1
Kazakhstan
Germany 3 - 0 Republic
of Ireland
Andorra 0 - 4 Romania
Estonia 0 - 2 Turkey
Albania 1 - 2 Switzerland
Iceland 2 - 0 Cyprus
Slovenia 3 - 0 Norway
Azerbaijan 2 - 0 Northern
Ireland
Luxembourg 0 - 4 Russia
Portugal 1 - 1 Israel
Lithuania 2 - 0 Latvia
Bosnia-Herzegovina 4 - 1 Liechtenstein
Greece 1 - 0 Slovakia
Moldova 3 - 0 San
Marino
Ukraine 1 - 0 Poland
Spain 2 - 1 Belarus
World Cup Qualifying -
CONMEBOL
Colombia 3 - 3 Chile
Ecuador 1 - 0 Uruguay
Venezuela 1 - 1 Paraguay
Argentina 3 - 1 Peru
World Cup Qualifying -
CONCACAF
Honduras 1 - 0 Costa
Rica
United States 2 - 0
Jamaica
Mexico 2 - 1 Panama
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