Sweden rally to hold Germany

France split points with Spain

Germany squandered a four-goal lead to draw 4-4 with Sweden while world champions Spain conceded in stoppage time to draw 1-1 with France as both teams lost 100 percent records in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.

Northern Ireland came within 11 minutes of ruining Cristiano Ronaldo's 100th appearance for Portugal before Helder Postiga equalised to earn a 1-1 draw in Porto, but the Portuguese lost ground on leaders Russia in Group F.

The Netherlands also won a fourth successive game, beating Romania 4-1 in Bucharest to end their opponents' three-match winning run.

However, Poland's Group H match with England at Warsaw's National Stadium was called off after the stadium roof was left open despite a downpour which left the pitch waterlogged.

The game will now go ahead on Wednesday.The most dramatic game on a night when most teams were playing their fourth qualifier, came in Berlin where Germany, 3-0 up at halftime, were coasting in their Group C match against the Swedes.

After powering into a 4-0 lead with a Miroslav Klose double and goals by Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil, Germany seemed certain of making it four wins from four to move six points clear of the pack before they collapsed.

Sweden struck back with two quick goals midway through the second half from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mikael Lustig before Johan Elmander made it 4-3 after 76 minutes.
The Swedes then went all out for an equaliser and it arrived in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Rasmus Elm scored.

Spain also conceded a late goal just as they looked to have done enough to seal a 25th straight victory in European and World Cup qualifiers.

Sergio Ramos put Spain ahead after 25 minutes and they would have doubled their lead if Cesc Fabregas's penalty had not been saved by Hugo Lloris. France, though, stayed level on points with Spain at the top of the Group I standings.

Argentina beat Chile

Argentina beat Chile 2-1 in an away tie on Tuesday that gave the visitors a three-point lead in the standings as the South American World Cup qualifying campaign takes a break until March.

Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain struck within minutes of each other half an hour into the match. Chile pulled one back through substitute Felipe Gutierrez in added time.
Argentina have 20 points from nine matches, three more than Ecuador, who drew 1-1 away at Venezuela.

Uruguay lost 1-4 to Bolivia in La Paz, where striker Carlos Saucedo bagged a hat-trick.