World Cup Qualifiers: European round-up - 6 September 2013

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifying Group F against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park on September 6, 2013. (Getty Images)

Defending champions Spain are now just three points short of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, after a 2-0 win over Finland in Helsinki helped maintain their top position in Group I.

Left-back Jordi Alba opened the scoring for the world champions, while Manchester City’s new recruit Alvaro Negredo wrapped up the win late on.

Spain’s group rivals, France though, could only manage a 0-0 draw with Georgia, and are three points behind table toppers Spain. The draw sees France’s scoreless run extend to five games. Didier Deschamps’ men did not produce their best in this match, as even in terms of chances, Georgia had an upper hand, with Tornike Okriashvili hit the woodwork early in the second.

Ukraine, meanwhile, hammered San Marino 9-0, sending a strong reminder to England ahead of next week’s vital World Cup qualifier in Kiev.

England, meanwhile, beat Moldova 4-0 with the help of a Danny Welbeck brace.

Montenegro managed to keep Poland at bay after a 1-1 draw that sees them level on points with England at the top of Group H. The visitors started proceedings with a 12^th minute goal from Dejan Damjanovic, but Robert Lewandowski equalised for the hosts soon after.

Robin van Persie scored an injury-time penalty as Netherlands maintained their unbeaten record in World Cup qualifying with a 2-2 draw away in Estonia.

Lazio striker Miroslav Klose made history in Munich, as he helped Germany get close to qualifying for Brazil 2014 with a goal in their 3-0 victory over Austria. Klose’s 33rd-minute goal was his 68^th for the national team, which took him level with Gerd Muller as the country’s all-time leading scorer.

Anders Svensson, veteran of 143 caps, left Republic of Ireland’s World Cup hopes hanging as he scored the winner that secured a 2-1 win for Sweden. Svensson, who became the country’s most capped player, fired home from Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 57th-minute pass to help the Swedes complete a stunning comeback.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half hat-trick saved Portugal’s blushes at Windsor Park as they managed to beat spirited Northern Ireland 4-2.

The amusing thing in the match was the home fans taunting Ronaldo as a ‘cheap Gareth Bale’, but eventually the Real Madrid striker had the last laugh.

Alberto Gilardino of Genoa scored the first-half header that gave Italy a 1-0 win over Bulgaria, which puts them seven points clear of their nearest rivals Bulgaria in Group B.

Belgium is inching closer towards Brazil 2014 as they saw off Scotland 2-0 at Hampden Park. Goals from Steven Defour and Kevin Mirallas secured victory for the visitors, which kept them top of Group A.

Meanwhile, in the same group, second-placed Croatia were held 1-1 by rivals Serbia in Belgrade.

Mario Mandzukic put Croatia ahead on 53 minutes, but Aleksandar Mitrovic responded 13 minutes later as both sides settled for a draw.

Wales were defeated 2-1 by Macedonia in Skopje as Real Madrid star Gareth Bale sat on the bench. Ivan Trickovski fired the home side in front in the 21st minute, while Aaron Ramsey equalised from the penalty spot for Wales. Substitute Aleksandar Trajkovski struck the winner in the 80th minute to hand the hosts victory.