<p>Alvaro Negredo and David Villa both scored twice in a 6-0 rout of Liechtenstein to leave Spain, who will defend their European title next year, eight points clear of Czech Republic in Group I with two games remaining.<br /><br />Italy were made to sweat in Florence but a late goal by Giampaolo Pazzini earned a 1-0 victory over Slovenia which guaranteed top spot in Group C with two games to spare. Germany qualified on Friday, meaning five of the 16 teams for next year's tournament are known including co-hosts Poland and Ukraine.<br /><br />Netherlands beat Finland 2-0 but despite winning all eight of their qualifiers they still need a point at home to Moldova next month before they can firm up travel arrangements as Sweden are six points behind with two matches left.<br /><br />Kevin Strootman and Luuk de Jong were on target for the world's top-ranked nation while Sweden breezed past San Marino 5-0 with Christian Wilhelmsson netting twice. England, who failed to qualify for the 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland, beat Wales 1-0 at Wembley to move six points clear of Montenegro in Group G.<br /><br />Coach Fabio Capello will not be taking anything for granted though as defeat in Montenegro next month could leave the door ajar for the Balkan nation to steal first place.<br /><br />Ashley Young's 35th-minute goal sealed victory for England although Wales should have equalised late on when Robert Earnshaw squandered a golden chance from close range. Spain laboured initially against Liechtenstein but two goals in four minutes from Negredo and a free kick by Xavi before halftime put them in cruise control.<br /><br />Sergio Ramos got on the scoresheet after the break while Spain's all-time top scorer Villa took his international tally to 49. Italy's win meant second-placed Serbia face a battle with Estonia to claim the runners-up spot. Serbia beat Faroe Islands 3-1 while Estonia eased past Northern Ireland 4-1.<br /><br />France, who were also 2010 World Cup flops, edged closer to the finals with a 0-0 draw in Romania in Group D although they still have work to do after Bosnia pulled within a point of Laurent Blanc's side with a 1-0 win over Belarus.<br /><br />Top spot is likely to be decided in the final game between France and Bosnia in Paris next month. The shock of the night came in Group B in Zilina where Slovakia were beaten 4-0 at home by Armenia who have given themselves an outside chance of qualifying.<br /><br />Victory would have put Slovakia level on points with group leaders Russia, who drew 0-0 at home to second-placed Ireland, but instead they dropped to fourth. With two matches left, all four nations are still in with a chance going into next month's final fixtures which include Russia away to Slovakia and Ireland at home to Armenia.<br /><br />Eduardo scored twice for Croatia as they moved a point above Greece at the top of Group F thanks to a 3-1 home victory over Israel. Greece, who host Croatia next month, could only manage a 1-1 draw in Latvia.<br /><br /></p>
<p>Alvaro Negredo and David Villa both scored twice in a 6-0 rout of Liechtenstein to leave Spain, who will defend their European title next year, eight points clear of Czech Republic in Group I with two games remaining.<br /><br />Italy were made to sweat in Florence but a late goal by Giampaolo Pazzini earned a 1-0 victory over Slovenia which guaranteed top spot in Group C with two games to spare. Germany qualified on Friday, meaning five of the 16 teams for next year's tournament are known including co-hosts Poland and Ukraine.<br /><br />Netherlands beat Finland 2-0 but despite winning all eight of their qualifiers they still need a point at home to Moldova next month before they can firm up travel arrangements as Sweden are six points behind with two matches left.<br /><br />Kevin Strootman and Luuk de Jong were on target for the world's top-ranked nation while Sweden breezed past San Marino 5-0 with Christian Wilhelmsson netting twice. England, who failed to qualify for the 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland, beat Wales 1-0 at Wembley to move six points clear of Montenegro in Group G.<br /><br />Coach Fabio Capello will not be taking anything for granted though as defeat in Montenegro next month could leave the door ajar for the Balkan nation to steal first place.<br /><br />Ashley Young's 35th-minute goal sealed victory for England although Wales should have equalised late on when Robert Earnshaw squandered a golden chance from close range. Spain laboured initially against Liechtenstein but two goals in four minutes from Negredo and a free kick by Xavi before halftime put them in cruise control.<br /><br />Sergio Ramos got on the scoresheet after the break while Spain's all-time top scorer Villa took his international tally to 49. Italy's win meant second-placed Serbia face a battle with Estonia to claim the runners-up spot. Serbia beat Faroe Islands 3-1 while Estonia eased past Northern Ireland 4-1.<br /><br />France, who were also 2010 World Cup flops, edged closer to the finals with a 0-0 draw in Romania in Group D although they still have work to do after Bosnia pulled within a point of Laurent Blanc's side with a 1-0 win over Belarus.<br /><br />Top spot is likely to be decided in the final game between France and Bosnia in Paris next month. The shock of the night came in Group B in Zilina where Slovakia were beaten 4-0 at home by Armenia who have given themselves an outside chance of qualifying.<br /><br />Victory would have put Slovakia level on points with group leaders Russia, who drew 0-0 at home to second-placed Ireland, but instead they dropped to fourth. With two matches left, all four nations are still in with a chance going into next month's final fixtures which include Russia away to Slovakia and Ireland at home to Armenia.<br /><br />Eduardo scored twice for Croatia as they moved a point above Greece at the top of Group F thanks to a 3-1 home victory over Israel. Greece, who host Croatia next month, could only manage a 1-1 draw in Latvia.<br /><br /></p>
