Group 2
Former Arsenal centre-back Philippe Senderos headed two goals in Switzerland's 3-0 away victory over Luxembourg, exacting revenge for their shock home defeat by the Luxembourgeois earlier in the campaign. The Swiss now need a point against Israel in Basel on Wednesday to book their automatic qualification. Israel are still vying for a play-off spot, but Greece are more likely to take it: they sit two points ahead and face Luxembourg at home on Wednesday.
Group 3
Group leaders Slovakia fluffed their lines when on the brink of qualification for their first ever World Cup finals, beaten 2-0 at home defeat by Slovenia Bratislava as Valter Birsa and Nejc Pecnik grabbed the goals. Slovakia must now get at least a point away to Poland on Wednesday, while Slovenia, now just two points shy of the group leaders, head for San Marino knowing a win might just see them sneak straight into the finals. Slovenia's win killed off any hope Northen Ireland had of making the play-offs - while Czech Republic's 2-0 success against Poland keeps them in the hunt for the play-offs.
Group 4
True to their World Cup pedigree, Germany eked out a result when they had to in a titanic clash with Russia as Miroslav Kloses's goal proved the difference at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Debutant right-back Jerome Boateng was sent off for the Germans - but even Guus Hiddink's classy side packed with the likes of Andrey Arshavin, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Yuri Zhirkov could not find a way past the Joachim Loew's defence. Despite the defeat, Russia will still have a crack at qualification via the play-offs and will be strong favourites to succeed.
Group 5
Bosnia-Herzegovina will be in the play-offs following their 2-0 away win over Estonia - giant Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, who terrorised Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League two weeks ago, was on target along with Vedad Ibisevic. Meanwhile Vincent del Bosque's Spain marched on, making it nine wins from nine, with a slender 2-1 margin of victory in Armenia. Turkey's dreams of a shot at South Africa through the play-offs were ended with a 2-0 reverse at the hands of Belgium in Brussels.
Group 6
Ukraine's 1-0 home victory against ten-man England saw them leapfrog Croatia into second place. Fabio Capello's side had already assured their progress to South Africa but the battle for the play-off place will go to the wire with the Ukrainians very much in the ascendancy. A point ahead of Slaven Bilic's Croatia, they travel to Andorra in the final round of group matches while Croatia must head for a much tougher trip to Kazakhstan.
Group 7
Radi Antic's Serbia stormed to South Africa with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Romania, while France also ran out 5-0 victors, against Faroe Islands, to seal their place in the play-offs. Milan Javanovic of Standard Liege scored two while Valencia front man Nicola Zigic also got in on the scoring act. Arsenal's William Gallas and Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka were amongst the goals for Raymond Domenech's outfit.
Group 8
Giovanni Trappatoni's Ireland suffered a spirit-sapping late draw at Croke Park in Dublin having been poised to take all three points against the world champions and keep alive hopes of automatic qualification. Glenn Whelan's sublime first-half strike had been cancelled out by Mauro Camoranesi - only for a Sean St Ledger header to make it 2-1 to the Irish on 87 minutes. However, Alberto Gilardino's calm finish snatched a point right at the death for the indefatigable Italians thus booking their spot at next year's finals.
Group 9
The only group to have already been decided. The Netherlands won eight from eight, romping unbeaten to South Africa, with Norway claiming a play-off spot on goal difference from Scotland.
