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However world champions Italy were pegged 0-0 by France in a meeting of last year's World Cup finalists - a result which helps Group B rivals Scotland who enjoyed a 3-1 win over Lithuania.

 Spain meanwhile rescued a 1-1 draw at Iceland in Group F with a goal four minutes from time from Andres Iniesta.

 England ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Israel Saturday, but both group opponents Russia and Croatia also won to keep Group E tight.

 Russia downed Macedonia by the same score, while Croatia were 2-0 winners over Estonia courtesy of two first-half goals from Eduardo.

 Russia visit Wembley on Wednesday on 18 points, one ahead of England who are level on 17 with Israel, but two behind leaders Croatia.

 Two goals from Miroslav Klose gave Germany a 2-0 win in Wales in Group D where Czech Republic also stayed in the running with a 3-0 win at minnows San Marino but Ireland were pegged 2-2 at Slovakia.

 Germany move to 22 points, five more than Czech Republic for whom Tomas Rosicky, Marek Jankulovski and Jan Koller were on target in San Marino.

 Ireland are now eight points adrift of the Germans, after a last-minute goal by Marek Cech prevented them taking all three points in Slovakia.

 Stephen Ireland and Kevin Doyle had twice given Ireland the lead, with Maros Klimpl levelling the first Irish goal.

 The Netherlands defeated Group G rivals Bulgaria with goals in each half from Wesley Sneijder and Ruud van Nistelrooy to go second in the group on 17 points behind Romania with a game in hand.

 Romania gave their hopes a major boost with a 3-1 win at Belarus thanks to two goals from Adrian Mutu, the second from the penalty spot, and Nicolae Dicu to move up to 20 points.

 The pressure was on injury-hit England against Israel, but Steve McLaren's side responded with a convincing display rewarded with goals from Shaun Wright-Phillips in the first half and Michael Owen and Micah Richards after the break.

 Russia meanwhile overcame the 70th-minute dismissal of Vladimir Gabulov to defeat Macedonia in Moscow with goals from Vasily Berezutski in the eighth minute, Andrei Arshavin (84) and Aleksandr Kerzhakov (88).

 In Group B, Scotland remained in contention with a 3-1 win over Lithuania while Italy and France were goalless in Milan and Ukraine suffered a setback in a 1-1 draw at Georgia.

 Second-half goals from Stephen McManus and James McFadden won the game for Scotland at Hampden Park after a Kris Boyd header gave the Scots a half-time lead which Lithuania cancelled out with a Tomas Danilevicus penalty.

 Ukraine were pegged at Georgia who hit an 89th minute equalizer from Dimitri Tatanashvili after Oleg Shelayev had put the visitors ahead in the ninth minute.

 France continue to lead the group, moving to 19 points, one ahead of Scotland who face the French on Wednesday. Italy, who are a further point behind, travel Wednesday to Ukraine who are fourth on 13 points.

 In Group F, Northern Ireland suffered a setback at Latvia with a Chris Baird own goal in the 56th minute enabling the home side to enjoy a 1-0 win.

 Spain were held 1-1 at lowly Iceland in Group F where Emil Hallfredsson notched a 40th-minute goal, only for Iniesta to bag the late equalizer.

 Sweden were held to a goalless draw by Denmark to move onto 19 points, three more than Spain and Northern Ireland.

 Turkey did themselves no favours in Group C in an upset 2-2 in Malta in Group C.

 Malta twice led through Brian Said and Andre Schembri but Turkey were able to equalize through Halil Altintop and Servet Cetin.

 Meanwhile Norway enjoyed a 1-0 win at Moldova courtesy of a 47th-minute Steffen Iversen goal.

 The win puts Norway onto 16 points, two behind group leaders Greece and two ahead of Turkey, both of whom have a game in hand. However Norway have a chance to go top when Greece are the visitors on Wednesday.

 Bosnia-Herzegovina's hopes of qualifying from the group took a blow as Zoltan Gera's first-half penalty helped Hungary to a 1-0 victory. Bosnia-Herzegovina stay fourth in the group on 13 points.

 In Group A, Portugal shared four goals with visiting leaders Poland. Mariusz Lewandowski put Poland ahead shortly before half-time only for Maniche five minutes after the break and Cristiano Ronaldo to score a second in the 73rd minute. However the Poles rescued a point with a goal three minutes from time from Jacek Krzynowek.

 Serbia and Finland played out a goalless draw in the group, which Poland leads on 20 points, two more than Finland and four up on Portugal who have a game in hand on the leaders.

DPA