Belgium players celebrate with coach Marc Wilmots after securing qualification to the 2014 World Cup
Following Friday?s qualifiers, n14 nations have so far won through to the final stages of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. They are, Brazil as host, Argentina and Colombia from South America, USA and Costa Rica from North and Central America, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Switzerland from Europe, Japan, Australia, Iran and South Korea from the Asia.
Wins in Friday?s qualifiers enabled Belgium, Switzerland and Germany from the European zone to qualify to the finals thus joining Italy and Netherlands who had been sealed their spots before the penultimate round of qualifiers.
In so doing, thanks to two goals by in form Romelu Lukaku in their 2-1 win in Croatia, Belgium secured their place in the finals from Group A; Germany beat Ireland 3-0 with goals from Ami Khedira, Andre Schuerrle and Mesut Ozil to win Group C, while the Swiss won 2-1 in Albania to wrap up Group E.
Group H leaders England are on the verge of qualifying thanks to a 4-1 home win over Montenegro, while Russia are so near to qualifying after an easy 4-0 victory in Luxembourg in Group F. England could clinch qualification on Tuesday if they beat Poland in the final round of matches.
Ukraine went top of Group H, at least temporarily, after beating Poland 1-0. Andriy Yarmolenko's second-half goal was enough for the home side to take the points and eliminate Poland from the reckoning in the process.
Also in that group, a goal from Viorel Frunza and Eugeniu Sidorenco's brace helped Moldova to a 3-0 victory against San Marino.
Switzerland got through after taking the lead when Xherdan Shaqiri's scuffed shot found its way into the back of the Albania net two minutes after half-time. Michael Lang doubled the advantage 30 minutes later. Hamdi Salihi's late penalty proved to be no more than a consolation for the home side.
In their 4-1 victory England took the lead through Wayne Rooney, but Andros Townsend proved to be the man of the match on his debut. He not only scored the third goal but also made another for England and mesmerised the opposition with his runs on the right.
England?s other goals came from a Branko Boskovic own-goal Townsend, and Daniel Sturridge who netted the fourth from the spot. Dejan Damjanovic scored for Montenegro in between England?s second and third goals.
Russia virtually assured qualification with their 4-0 rout of Luxembourg. It gave them a three-point lead at the top of Group F after Israel grabbed a late equaliser for a 1-1 draw against Portugal. Russia scored through Alexander Samedov, Victor Faizulin, Denis Glushakov and Alexander Kerzhakov.
Portugal went ahead in the first half with a goal by Ricardo Costa, but a blunder by goalkeeper Rui Patricio cost them victory as his 85th-minute clearance went straight to Ben Basat to strike.
In Group E, Iceland remain in pole position to clinch the runners-up spot after their 2-0 victory over Cyprus in Reykjavik. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson opened the scoring on the hour mark, with Gylfi Sigurdsson making the points safe 13 minutes from time.
The result kept them in second place in the pool - a point better off than Slovenia, who were 3-0 winners against Norway.
Edin Dzeko bagged a brace as Bosnia-Herzegovina moved a step closer to their first major finals appearance with a 4-1 win over Liechenstein in Group G.
Dzeko scored either side of goals from Zvjezdan Misimovic and Vedad Ibisevic as Bosnia struck four times in 13 first-half minutes to seal the win. The result means Safet Susic's men, who top Group G, can book their World Cup place with victory over Lithuania on Tuesday.
In the same group, Greece kept up the pressure as Martin Skrtel's own goal condemned Slovakia to a 1-0 defeat in Athens. Greece host bottom side Liechtenstein next week.
Armenia boosted their hopes of clinching second place in Group B with a dramatic 2-1 victory over nine-man Bulgaria in Yerevan - denting their opponents' ambitions in the process.
The hosts took the lead just before half-time when Aras Ozbiliz fired a free-kick into the top corner after Bulgaria defender Nikolay Bodurov had been sent off for a foul on Ozbiliz.
Ivelin Popov got Bulgaria back on level terms with another free-kick just after the hour mark, but the visitors were reduced to nine men when midfielder Svetoslav Dyakov was sent off moments later - and Yura Movsisyan made them pay, netting an 87th-minute winner.
Substitute Alberto Aquilani struck a last-gasp equaliser to deny Denmark a crucial victory in Copenhagen as the game between already qualified Italy and Denmark from Group B finished in a 2-2 draw.
Czech Republic will battle it out for second after beating Malta 4-1, but are unlikely to claim enough points to secure a playoff place even if they finish second. Goals from Tomas Hubschman, David Lafata, Vaclev Kadlec and substitute Tomas Pekhart in Ta' Qali saw the Czechs reach 12 points. Malta score the consolation tally through Michael Mifsud who was playing his 100th game for the Maltese
Dani Osvaldo put Italy ahead before Nicklas Bendtner pulled the hosts level on the stroke of half-time. The Danes were then twice denied by the woodwork early in the second half before Bendtner put them ahead with 12 minutes remaining, but Aquilani's close-range effort in the 90th minute earned the group winners a draw and left Denmark trailing second-placed Bulgaria on goal difference.
Netherlands had already qualified, but it did not stop them having an impact on the fight for the play-off spot in Group D as they drubbed Hungary 8-1 in Amsterdam. Captain Robin van Persie snatched a hat-trick that helped him break the Dutch all-time scoring record. In the process, van Persie overtook Patrick Kluivert as the Dutch team's all-time leading scorer with 41 goals.
Hungary started the night in second but ended it behind Turkey and Romania, as the Oranje turned on the style on a night of celebration in the Dutch capital. Kevin Strootman, Jermain Lens, Rafael Van der Vaart, Arjen Robben and a Szilard Devecseri own goal all contributed to Holland?s win. Hungary's response was a penalty from Balazs Dzsudzsak.
Romania boosted their hopes of reaching the playoffs after a one-sided 4-0 victory over Andorra. Claudiu Keseru, Bogdan Stancu, Gabriel Torje and Costin Lazar were on target as Romania did enough to stay level on 16 points with Turkey.
Turkey won 2-0 in Estonia to move into second place on goal difference. Goals in either half from Umut Bulut and Burak Yilmaz helped Turkey to give themselves a real chance of being in the playoffs.
In Group I, Spain won 2-1 at home to Belarus thanks to goals by Xavi and Alvaro Negredo. Dmitry Verkhovtsov pulled one back in injury-time, but Spain lead France by three points and will qualify if they avoid defeat at home to Georgia on Tuesday.
From South American group, Columbia joined hosts Brazil and group leaders Argentina in next year?s finals thanks to two Radamel Falcao penalties that saw them come from three goals down to clinch a 3-3 draw against 10-man Chile.
An Arturo Vidal goal from a penalty and two more from Alexis Sanchez gave Chile a 3-0 led, but Colombia came out fighting in the second half, and with Carlos Carmona sent off, Teo Gutierrez started Colombia?s comeback. Then Falcao scored from two penalties to clinch qualification.
In Quito, Ecuador joined Chile on 25 points with a 1-0 triumph against Uruguay, which put them on the brink of World Cup qualification.
Ecuador broke the deadlock when Jefferson Montero pushed a long ball from Antonio Valencia into the net near the half-hour mark.
It left Uruguay on 22 points and looking at a two-legged playoff against Jordan.
Venezuela's chances of going to Brazil were ended as they drew 1-1 in Paraguay in their final qualifier.
Meanwhile, Ezequiel Lavezzi scored twice as an under-strength Argentina came from behind to beat Peru 3-1.
The last round will be played on Tuesday when Uruguay meet Argentina, Colombia visit Paraguay, Chile host Ecuador and Peru face Bolivia.
From the CONCACAF group, a last-gasp scissor-kick goal from Raul Jimenez gave Mexico a 2-1 win over Panama to keep their World Cup qualifying hopes alive.
Mexico needed a victory to maintain their chances of progressing directly and must now wait for the last round of fixtures, when they face Costa Rica, to discover their fate.
Javier Hernandez set up forward Oribe Peralta to finish past goalkeeper Jaime Penedo and fire Mexico ahead five minutes before the break.
Luis Tejada then silenced the Azteca stadium as he evaded the Mexico defence and beat Guillermo Ochoa to level 10 minutes from the end.
But parity lasted just five minutes before Jimenez, who had only just stepped off the bench, connected with a superb scissor kick to seal the match.
Honduras beat Costa Rica 1-0, giving them the chance to fight for direct qualification going into the final round. Forward Jerry Bengtson connected with Roger Espinoza's long ball to score the winner near the hour mark.
The United States, who had already qualified, saw off Jamaica 2-0 thanks to goals from Graham Suzi and Jozy Altidore.
Following Friday?s qualifiers, n14 nations have so far won through to the final stages of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. They are, Brazil as host, Argentina and Colombia from South America, USA and Costa Rica from North and Central America, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Switzerland from Europe, Japan, Australia, Iran and South Korea from the Asia.
Wins in Friday?s qualifiers enabled Belgium, Switzerland and Germany from the European zone to qualify to the finals thus joining Italy and Netherlands who had been sealed their spots before the penultimate round of qualifiers.
In so doing, thanks to two goals by in form Romelu Lukaku in their 2-1 win in Croatia, Belgium secured their place in the finals from Group A; Germany beat Ireland 3-0 with goals from Ami Khedira, Andre Schuerrle and Mesut Ozil to win Group C, while the Swiss won 2-1 in Albania to wrap up Group E.
Group H leaders England are on the verge of qualifying thanks to a 4-1 home win over Montenegro, while Russia are so near to qualifying after an easy 4-0 victory in Luxembourg in Group F. England could clinch qualification on Tuesday if they beat Poland in the final round of matches.
Ukraine went top of Group H, at least temporarily, after beating Poland 1-0. Andriy Yarmolenko's second-half goal was enough for the home side to take the points and eliminate Poland from the reckoning in the process.
Also in that group, a goal from Viorel Frunza and Eugeniu Sidorenco's brace helped Moldova to a 3-0 victory against San Marino.
Switzerland got through after taking the lead when Xherdan Shaqiri's scuffed shot found its way into the back of the Albania net two minutes after half-time. Michael Lang doubled the advantage 30 minutes later. Hamdi Salihi's late penalty proved to be no more than a consolation for the home side.
In their 4-1 victory England took the lead through Wayne Rooney, but Andros Townsend proved to be the man of the match on his debut. He not only scored the third goal but also made another for England and mesmerised the opposition with his runs on the right.
England?s other goals came from a Branko Boskovic own-goal Townsend, and Daniel Sturridge who netted the fourth from the spot. Dejan Damjanovic scored for Montenegro in between England?s second and third goals.
Russia virtually assured qualification with their 4-0 rout of Luxembourg. It gave them a three-point lead at the top of Group F after Israel grabbed a late equaliser for a 1-1 draw against Portugal. Russia scored through Alexander Samedov, Victor Faizulin, Denis Glushakov and Alexander Kerzhakov.
Portugal went ahead in the first half with a goal by Ricardo Costa, but a blunder by goalkeeper Rui Patricio cost them victory as his 85th-minute clearance went straight to Ben Basat to strike.
In Group E, Iceland remain in pole position to clinch the runners-up spot after their 2-0 victory over Cyprus in Reykjavik. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson opened the scoring on the hour mark, with Gylfi Sigurdsson making the points safe 13 minutes from time.
The result kept them in second place in the pool - a point better off than Slovenia, who were 3-0 winners against Norway.
Edin Dzeko bagged a brace as Bosnia-Herzegovina moved a step closer to their first major finals appearance with a 4-1 win over Liechenstein in Group G.
Dzeko scored either side of goals from Zvjezdan Misimovic and Vedad Ibisevic as Bosnia struck four times in 13 first-half minutes to seal the win. The result means Safet Susic's men, who top Group G, can book their World Cup place with victory over Lithuania on Tuesday.
In the same group, Greece kept up the pressure as Martin Skrtel's own goal condemned Slovakia to a 1-0 defeat in Athens. Greece host bottom side Liechtenstein next week.
Armenia boosted their hopes of clinching second place in Group B with a dramatic 2-1 victory over nine-man Bulgaria in Yerevan - denting their opponents' ambitions in the process.
The hosts took the lead just before half-time when Aras Ozbiliz fired a free-kick into the top corner after Bulgaria defender Nikolay Bodurov had been sent off for a foul on Ozbiliz.
Ivelin Popov got Bulgaria back on level terms with another free-kick just after the hour mark, but the visitors were reduced to nine men when midfielder Svetoslav Dyakov was sent off moments later - and Yura Movsisyan made them pay, netting an 87th-minute winner.
Substitute Alberto Aquilani struck a last-gasp equaliser to deny Denmark a crucial victory in Copenhagen as the game between already qualified Italy and Denmark from Group B finished in a 2-2 draw.
Czech Republic will battle it out for second after beating Malta 4-1, but are unlikely to claim enough points to secure a playoff place even if they finish second. Goals from Tomas Hubschman, David Lafata, Vaclev Kadlec and substitute Tomas Pekhart in Ta' Qali saw the Czechs reach 12 points. Malta score the consolation tally through Michael Mifsud who was playing his 100th game for the Maltese
Dani Osvaldo put Italy ahead before Nicklas Bendtner pulled the hosts level on the stroke of half-time. The Danes were then twice denied by the woodwork early in the second half before Bendtner put them ahead with 12 minutes remaining, but Aquilani's close-range effort in the 90th minute earned the group winners a draw and left Denmark trailing second-placed Bulgaria on goal difference.
Netherlands had already qualified, but it did not stop them having an impact on the fight for the play-off spot in Group D as they drubbed Hungary 8-1 in Amsterdam. Captain Robin van Persie snatched a hat-trick that helped him break the Dutch all-time scoring record. In the process, van Persie overtook Patrick Kluivert as the Dutch team's all-time leading scorer with 41 goals.
Hungary started the night in second but ended it behind Turkey and Romania, as the Oranje turned on the style on a night of celebration in the Dutch capital. Kevin Strootman, Jermain Lens, Rafael Van der Vaart, Arjen Robben and a Szilard Devecseri own goal all contributed to Holland?s win. Hungary's response was a penalty from Balazs Dzsudzsak.
Romania boosted their hopes of reaching the playoffs after a one-sided 4-0 victory over Andorra. Claudiu Keseru, Bogdan Stancu, Gabriel Torje and Costin Lazar were on target as Romania did enough to stay level on 16 points with Turkey.
Turkey won 2-0 in Estonia to move into second place on goal difference. Goals in either half from Umut Bulut and Burak Yilmaz helped Turkey to give themselves a real chance of being in the playoffs.
In Group I, Spain won 2-1 at home to Belarus thanks to goals by Xavi and Alvaro Negredo. Dmitry Verkhovtsov pulled one back in injury-time, but Spain lead France by three points and will qualify if they avoid defeat at home to Georgia on Tuesday.
From South American group, Columbia joined hosts Brazil and group leaders Argentina in next year?s finals thanks to two Radamel Falcao penalties that saw them come from three goals down to clinch a 3-3 draw against 10-man Chile.
An Arturo Vidal goal from a penalty and two more from Alexis Sanchez gave Chile a 3-0 led, but Colombia came out fighting in the second half, and with Carlos Carmona sent off, Teo Gutierrez started Colombia?s comeback. Then Falcao scored from two penalties to clinch qualification.
In Quito, Ecuador joined Chile on 25 points with a 1-0 triumph against Uruguay, which put them on the brink of World Cup qualification.
Ecuador broke the deadlock when Jefferson Montero pushed a long ball from Antonio Valencia into the net near the half-hour mark.
It left Uruguay on 22 points and looking at a two-legged playoff against Jordan.
Venezuela's chances of going to Brazil were ended as they drew 1-1 in Paraguay in their final qualifier.
Meanwhile, Ezequiel Lavezzi scored twice as an under-strength Argentina came from behind to beat Peru 3-1.
The last round will be played on Tuesday when Uruguay meet Argentina, Colombia visit Paraguay, Chile host Ecuador and Peru face Bolivia.
From the CONCACAF group, a last-gasp scissor-kick goal from Raul Jimenez gave Mexico a 2-1 win over Panama to keep their World Cup qualifying hopes alive.
Mexico needed a victory to maintain their chances of progressing directly and must now wait for the last round of fixtures, when they face Costa Rica, to discover their fate.
Javier Hernandez set up forward Oribe Peralta to finish past goalkeeper Jaime Penedo and fire Mexico ahead five minutes before the break.
Luis Tejada then silenced the Azteca stadium as he evaded the Mexico defence and beat Guillermo Ochoa to level 10 minutes from the end.
But parity lasted just five minutes before Jimenez, who had only just stepped off the bench, connected with a superb scissor kick to seal the match.
Honduras beat Costa Rica 1-0, giving them the chance to fight for direct qualification going into the final round. Forward Jerry Bengtson connected with Roger Espinoza's long ball to score the winner near the hour mark.
The United States, who had already qualified, saw off Jamaica 2-0 thanks to goals from Graham Suzi and Jozy Altidore.
