Big guns on track for Euro 2012

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World champions Spain edged Scotland 3-2 at Hampden Park in Glasgow to top Group I, while The Netherlands and Germany were also impressive on a busy night of Euro 2012 qualifiers.

David Villa had put Spain ahead on the cusp of half-time from the penalty spot before Andres Iniesta made it 2-0 in the 55th minute.

However, Scotland launched a remarkable comeback, with Steven Naismith diving to nod in from the edge of the six-yard box before Gerard Pique scored an own goal in the 66th minute.

But substitute Fernando Llorente restored Spain's advantage in the 79th minute, side-footing home from close range after getting on to a deep cross by defender Joan Capdevila.

In the other Group I match, two first-half goals gave Czech Republic a comfortable 2-0 victory against minnows Lichtenstein.

In Group E, World Cup finalists the Netherlands were in devastating form as they crushed Sweden 4-1 at Amsterdam Arena.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Ibrahim Afellay both netted doubles for the victors, while Andreas Granqvist scored a consolation for the visitors in the 69th minute.

Hungary stole all three points from their trip to Finland with a last-gasp winner from Balazs Dzsudzsak earning them a 2-1 win.

Germany consolidated top spot in Group A as they beat Kazakhstan 3-0 at Ortalyk Tsentralnyi Stadium in their Euro 2012 qualifier on Tuesday.

Miroslav Klose fired into an empty net to put Germany up 1-0 three minutes after the break, before Mario Gomez found himself on the end of a delightful through ball and beat Kazakh goalkeeper Andrey Sidelnikov with a left-footed strike on 76 minutes.

Lukas Podolski put the result beyond doubt in the 85th minute, splitting the Kazakh defence with a sublime solo run and finishing from close range.

Meanwhile, 10-man Austria stole a 4-4 draw at Belgium after Martin Harnik scored an injury-time leveller to wipe out two late strikes from the home team.

In Tuesday's other Group A qualifier, Azerbaijan upset Turkey 1-0 at home, with Rashad Sadygov's 39th-minute strike enough to secure the hosts the first three points of their qualifying campaign.

Portugal continued their redemption under new coach Paulo Bento on Wednesday, enjoying a comprehensive 3-1 result at Group H rivals Iceland.

Bento's record now stands at 2-0 as Portugal's abundance of talent shone through in the Euro 2012 qualifier in Reykjavik, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul Meireles and substitute Helder Postiga all getting on the scoresheet for the visitors.

Meanwhile, Denmark have earned their second win of the qualifying stages, defeating Cyprus 2-0 at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.

Russia moved clear on top of Group B after a 1-0 win over Macedonia, while Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland fought out a 1-1 draw in Zilina.

Russia, Slovakia and Ireland were all locked on six points heading into Tuesday's round of matches, but the Russians jumped to the top of the group thanks to Alexandr Kerzhakov's strike eight minutes in.

Ireland could have joined Russia at the top of group but a penalty miss from Robbie Keane on the stroke of half-time proved critical as the two sides had to settle for a point after Slovakia's Jan Durica had cancelled out Sean St Ledger's opener.

France have ascended to the top of Group D with a comfortable 2-0 victory over a 10-man Luxembourg in Euro 2012 qualifying on Wednesday.

Karim Benzema and Yoann Gourcuff scored in either half for the home side at Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz, while Luxembourg lost captain Rene Peters to a second caution 10 minutes after the break.

Meanwhile, Belarus remain undefeated in the qualifying stage following a 2-0 home win over Albania.

Captain Giorgos Karagounis coolly converted a penalty kick to give Greece a 2-1 victory over Israel in their Group F clash on Wednesday, while Latvia stole a 1-1 draw with Georgia after Aleksandrs Cauna nabbed an injury-time equaliser for the hosts.

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