Spain got their direct qualification hopes back on track as they deservedly grounded their way 1-0 past France in Tuesday’s very high quality World Cup qualifier at the Stade de France.
After La Roja’s 1-1 draw with Finland in Gijon, Les Bleus came into the game in the Group I driving seat, and Didier Deschamps’ young and spirited French side were close to claiming the draw, which would have kept them there.
But ultimately, Spain’s experience and ability to manage tight games when it really counts saw them through, with Pedro Rodriguez’s scrambled second half goal enough to separate the sides.
It was 1-1 draw in October’s reverse fixture.
England’s path to the World Cup qualification remains far from guaranteed as Montenegro battled back to earn a deserved draw in Podgorica.
Wayne Rooney’s early header – his fifth in six games he has played for England since Euro 2012 – was reward for an enterprising and positive opening half.
England, however, paid a heavy price for failing to capitalise fully on that superiority and for a dreadful second half display lacking any semblance of composure or cohesion.
Montenegro’s confidence and pressure increased as a disjointed England survived a series of narrow escapes before substitute Dejan Damjanovic scrambled home the equaliser with 13 minutes to go and give them the draw that keeps them two points clear of England at the top of Group H.
Scotland’s World Cup qualifying hopes ended with defeat to a Serbian side, who were better throughout.
The Scots defended well in the goalless first half but as they began to show more initiative, were hit by two sucker punches.
Both came from close-range finishes by Filip Duricic, the second in particular coming from quite dreadful defending.
The result means Scotland, for the first time, have gone seven qualifying matches without a win.
And with Belgium beating Macedonia 1-0 and Croatia coming from behind to defeat Wales 2-1, Scotland now cannot qualify for the finals in Brazil.
Results
World Cup Qualifying – UEFA
Armenia 0-3 Czech Republic
Estonia 2-0 Andorra
Azerbaijan 0-2 Portugal
Turkey 1-1 Hungary
Ukraine 2-1 Moldova
Denmark 1-1 Bulgaria
Serbia 2-0 Scotland
Netherlands 4-0 Romania
Belgium 1-0 Macedonia
Wales 1-2 Croatia
Malta 0-2 Italy
Germany 4-1 Kazakhstan
Ireland 2-2 Austria
Northern Ireland 0-2 Israel
Poland 5-0 San Marino
Montenegro 1-1 England
France 0-1 Spain
World Cup Qualifying – CONMEBOL
Bolivia 1-1 Argentina
Ecuador 4-1 Paraguay
Chile 2-0 Uruguay
Venezuela 1-0 Colombia
World Cup Qualifying – AFC
Australia 2-2 Oman
South Korea 2-1 Qatar
Uzbekistan 1-0 Lebanon
Jordan 2-1 Japan
World Cup Qualifying – CAF
Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe
Algeria 3-1 Benin
World Cup Qualifying – OFC
New Caledonia 1-0 Tahiti
International Friendly
Albania 4-1 Lithuania
Luxembourg 0-3 Finland
Slovakia 0-0 Sweden.
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