England qualified for the 2010 World Cup finals in style on Wednesday thrashing Euro 2008 nemesis Croatia 5-1 at Wembley and were later joined by European champions Spain who easily beat Estonia 3-0. England had enjoyed one of their worst moments two years ago when beaten by the Croats at Wembley which saw them lose out on the Euro 2008 finals at their rivals expense.
But Italian Fabio Capello has rebuilt their morale and self-belief to such an extent they totally outclassed pretty much the same Croat side. Capello was delighted with the performance and the outcome. Elsewhere, 2006 World Cup finalists France and the team they beat in the semi-finals Portugal looked to be on safer ground for qualifying as the French drew 1-1 away at Group Seven leaders Serbia despite playing most of the match down with 10 players - goalkeeper Hugo Lloris getting his marching orders.
Portugal gained a much needed victory over Hungary in Budapest with Pepe getting their goal in the ninth minute - and putting them in even with a chance of winning Group One with two matches remaining. The Group Four dogfight between 2006 semi-finalists Germany and Euro 2008 semi-finalists Russia is all set for a mouth-watering potential tabletopping decider in Moscow on October 10 after both were comfortable winners.
Germany took care of Azerbaijan as expected with a 4-0 win - Miroslav Klose scoring a brace - while Russia were briefly drawing 1-1 with Wales before running out 3-1 winners in Cardiff to remain a point beihnd the Germans. World champions Italy took a giant step towards South Africa beating Bulgaria 2-0. England's joy will be Croatia's pain and they are not even assured of securing second place and a play-off place as Ukraine drew 0-0 with Belarus and are now two points behind the Croats but with two games to play.
Croatia have just one match left. France's result relied on a gutsy effort in the hostile atmosphere of the Marakana Stadium in Belgrade as captain Thierry Henry levelled in the first-half with his 50th international goal in reply to Nenad Milijas' ninth-minute penalty. France, though, are four points clear in second of Austria, who drew 1-1 away in Romania, whose desperate home form has cost them dearly with just two points from a possible 12 this campaign.
Portugal may still be outside the top two but Denmark being held 1-1 in Albania and Sweden beating Malta, only thanks to an 81st minute own-goal, sees them just two points off second and five off the Danes with two games to go. The Czechs won 7-0 at home to minnows San Marino but it was more memorable for the return of playmaker Tomas Rosicky after 20 months out with injury. Armenia grabbed their first win of the campaign beating former European finalists and 1986 World Cup semi-finalists Belgium 2-1 in Yerevan in Group Five leading to the resignation of coach Frankie Vercauteren.
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