LONDON: Germany became the first team to join co-hosts Poland and Ukraine at the Euro 2012 finals when they thrashed neighbours Austria 6-2 to seal top spot in Group A.
Netherlands and Italy are also almost there. The Dutch crushed San Marino 11-0 in Eindhoven in Group E to chalk up their record international victory while Italy had to work hard to beat Faroe Islands 1-0 in Torshavn in Group C.
It was also a good night for England, who won 3-0 in Bulgaria to pull clear in Group G, France, who beat Albania 2-1 in Group D and Portugal who overwhelmed Cyprus 4-0 in Group H.
Germany demolished Austria with two goals from Mesut Ozil and one each from Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, Andre Schuerrle and Mario Goetze.
That gave the three-time European champions their eighth win from eight and kept them on course to finish with a 100 percent record in the qualifiers for the first time.
Germany were not the highest scorers on Friday though as Netherlands ran riot against tiny San Marino with Robin van Persie scoring four times as they recorded their biggest win since a 9-0 victory over Norway in 1972.
The Dutch, who recently replaced world champions Spain at the top of FIFA’s world rankings, made a flying start with three goals in the opening 17 minutes.
The Dutch go to Finland on Tuesday where a win will effectively take them into the finals, although if Sweden beat San Marino as expected they will retain a remote mathematical chance of overhauling them.
Italy, who are also within touching distance of the finals, took an 11th minute lead against the Faroes through Antonio Cassano but the islanders did not concede again.
Italy’s prospects were boosted by Estonia springing a surprise 2-1 win over second-placed Slovenia in Ljubljana with Ats Purje scoring the winner in the 81st minute, three minutes after Slovenia had equalised through Tim Matavz.
If the Italians beat Slovenia at home on Tuesday, they are through.
England are three points clear of closest rivals Montenegro after a convincing win in Bulgaria where Wayne Rooney scored twice and Gary Cahill got his first goal for his country.
That victory took England to 14 points from six games while Montenegro lost 2-1 to Wales in Cardiff for their first defeat as the home side got their first points after four straight defeats.
England can stretch their lead when they face Wales at Wembley on Tuesday.
Portugal were the night’s other convincing winners, destroying Cyprus in Nicosia.Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and made another as Cyprus were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes. Portugal stay top of Group H on goal difference. (Reuters)