FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Italy and Holland book Brazil berth as Germany inch closer

Robin Van Persie (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the 2014 World Cup European zone group D qualifier between Andorra and the Netherlands at Municipal Stadium in Andorra La Vella on September 10, 2013. (Getty Images)

The latest round of World Cup qualifiers in Europe saw Italy and Holland both book their place in Brazil with two games to spare after their wins on Tuesday night.

Italy beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Turin, thanks to Giorgio Cheillini and Mario Balotelli, in a game which was littered with noteworthy events. Balotelli scored the winner from the spot, but not before he missed a sitter from three yards earlier on.

Late on, it was Balotelli – controversy’s favourite child – who was in the thick of things again, after his altercation with Daniel Kolar ended, with the Czech player being sent off. But the result was one that gave the coach, Cesare Prandelli “great satisfaction” as Italy clinched top spot in Group B ahead of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Armenia and Denmark.

In Group D, following their disappointing 2-2 draw with Estonia over the weekend, Holland booked their berth to Brazil following a 2-0 win in Andorra. Having scored both goals in the game, Robin van Persie is now just two shy of Patrick Kluivert’s gold scoring record of 40 goals.

For large parts of the game, the Andorrans frustrated the Dutch and the game wasn’t as easy as it seemed on paper. All of this changed with van Persie’s 49th minute goal, which eased their nerves, broke Andorran hearts and provided them with the impetus to go and comfortably win the game.

Whilst over in Group C, Germany moved ever so closer towards qualification after their 3-0 win over the Faroe Islands. The victory meant that they remained unbeaten and registered their seventh victory thanks to goals from Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Thomas Müller.

Having amassed 22 points, they are five points ahead of Sweden who beat Kazakhstan 1-0, and look unlikely to pip them to the top spot. But Ireland’s chances of making it as the runner up in the group ended with their 1-0 defeat to Austria, which left them six points behind Sweden in second place with just two more games to go.

France put an end to their 527-minute goal drought as they smashed four past Belarus to win 4-2 and claim top spot in Group I, level on points with Spain, who have a game in hand over the French. And although Belarus took the lead going into half-time and were also leading 2-1 at the hour mark, late goals from Franck Ribery (who scored his second on the night), Samir Nasri and Paul Pogba meant that the French finally put on their shooting boots.

Whereas in Group E, Iceland continued on their merry way as they came from behind to beat Albania 2-1 thanks to goals from Bjarnason and Sigthorsson. That win ensured that they stayed second ahead of Slovenia, who are just a point behind them in third, after their 2-0 win over bottom-placed Cyprus.

Switzerland on the other hand continued their 12-game unbeaten streak after a comfortable 2-0 win over Norway, which really heats things up in the race for second place in the group, which sees three teams separated by just three points.

Russia moved to the top of Group F following a comprehensive 3-1 home win over Israel, and are one point ahead of second placed Portugal. The Russians will be quietly confident about their prospects of making it to Brazil, especially seeing as their final two games are against the bottom two sides, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.

Luxembourg won their first home World Cup qualifying match in 43 years as they came from 1-0 down to beat Northern Ireland 3-2.

In the other groups, England’s dour 0-0 draw against Ukraine means that they stay on top of Group H with 16, with Ukraine and Montenegro just a point behind with two games to go.

Group G is where the battle of top spot is beginning to get fever pitch, as both Bosnia-Herzegovina and Greece are level on 19 points following their victories over Slovakia and Latvia respectively. It looks like it might as well go down to the very last game, before one of them books their spot in Brazil.

Finally, Scotland managed to climb out of the last spot in Group A, following their 2-1 victory over Macedonia, who along with Wales have a game in hand over the Scots.