It was a busy day in Europe as qualifying for the 2014 World Cup continued in UEFA. Here’s a recap of all the action across the continent.
UEFA World Cup 2014 qualifying: Several groups have tightened up in the wake of Friday’s results
Time is running out for several nations as UEFA qualifying for next summer’s World Cup is starting to wind down.
Lars Baron
Group A
Macedonia 2-1 Wales
Wales probably weren't going to the World Cup before today's loss against last placed Macedonia, but there's basically no doubt now. Ivan Trickovski and Aaron Ramsey exchanged first half goals, but it was Jovan Kostovski's strike in the 80th minute that proved the difference.
Serbia 1-1 Croatia
Croatia allowed Belgium to extend their lead at the top of the group with a 1-1 draw against Serbia. Mario Mandzukic put Croatia ahead in the 53rd minute but Serbia's Aleksandar Mitrović answered back 12 minutes later. Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic was shown a red card in the 77th minute, but they were able to hold on for the draw.
Group B
Czech Republic 1-2 Armenia
Armenia prevented the Czechs from gaining any ground on second place Bulgaria thanks to a stoppage time winner from Gevorg Ghazaryan. The Armenians went ahead in the 31st minute when Karlen Mkrtchyan scored and held the lead until Tomas Rosicky equalized in the 70th minute.
A late own-goal by Malta’s Ryan Camilleri gave Denmark a 2-1 victory in a battle between two of Group B’s bottom dwelling teams.
Group C
Kazakhstan 2-1 Faroe Islands
Second-half goals from Kairat Nurdauletov and Andrei Finonchenko prevented the Faroe Islands from claiming their first points of qualifying, despite holding a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Republic of Ireland 1-2 Sweden
Ireland took the lead in the 21st minute thanks to always-dependable Robbie Keane, but the defense couldn’t hold up in the end as Sweden fought back for the win. Johan Elmander equalized before halftime and Anders Svensson scored the winner early in the second half.
Group D
Romania 3-0 Hungary
Romania tightened their grip on second place in Group D with a 3-0 thumping of Hungary. Ciprian Marica, Mihai Pintili and Cristian Tanase scored for Romania.
Turkey 5-0 Andorra
Turkey kept their outside hopes of catching Romania in second place alive with a 5-0 demolition of Andorra. Umut Bulut had a hat trick for Turkey with Burak Yilmaz and Arda Turan adding goals as well.
Group E
Norway 2-0 Cyprus
Norway moved into second place in the group thanks to a 2-0 win over Cyprus that featured goals from Tarik Elyounoussi and Joshua King.
Slovenia 1-0 Albania
A 19th-minute goal from Kevin Kampl led Slovenia to am important victory over Albania.
Switzerland 4-4 Iceland
Meet your game of the day. Switzerland remained at the top of Group E despite blowing a 4-1 lead and settling for a draw against Iceland.
Iceland took the lead in the 3rd minute on the first of three goals from Johann Berg Gudmundsson but quickly went to pieces, surrendering four straight goals over the next 50 minutes. Stephan Lichtsteiner scored twice along with strikes from Fabian Schär and Blerim Dzemaili as the Swiss opened a three-goal lead by the 53rd minute.
Iceland roared back, though, as Kolbeinn Sigthorsson made it 4-2 in the 56th minute and Gudmundsson completed his hat trick, scoring the equalizer in stoppage time.
Group F
Russia 4-1 Luxembourg
Russia kept pace with Portgual thanks in large part to a brace from Alexander Kokorin.
Portugal survived a wild six-goal, three-red card match against Northern Island to keep their advantage at the top of Group F.
Portugal went ahead early behind a goal from Bruno Alves but conceded an equalizer in the 35th minute to Gareth McAuley. Hélder Postiga was sent off just before halftime and Northern Ireland took advantage, going ahead 2-1 in the 51st minute when Jamie Ward score.
It was all downhill from there for Northern Ireland, though. In the final 30 minutes Chris Brunt and Kyle Lafferty both saw red card and Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick to give Portugal the victory.
Group G
Lativa 2-1 Lithuania
First-half goals from Nauris Bulvitis and Arturs Zjuznis were enough for Latvia as they held on in the second half to defeat Lithuania.
Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-1 Slovakia
A 77th-minute goal from Viktor Pecovsky gave Slovakia an important victory over the leaders of Group G. Slovakia remain a point behind Greece for second place and a spot in the playoffs.
Liechtenstein 0-1 Greece
Greece remained safely in second place thanks to a 72nd-minute goal from Kostas Mitroglou. Both sides finished with 10 men as Greece’s Jose Holebas and Liechtenstein’s David Hasler were both sent off in the second half.
Group H
Ukraine 9-0 San Marino
That’s not a typo. Ukraine won, 9-0.
Poland 1-1 Montenegro
Montenegro’s lead at the top of Group H dwindled to two points after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland. Dejan Damjanovic put Montenegro ahead in the 12th minute, but Robert Lewandowski equalized four minutes later.
Group I
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