Substitute Soren Larsen scored an injury-time equaliser to earn Denmark a 2-2 draw in Turkey and send Ukraine into the 2006 World Cup as winners of Group Two.
Claus Jensen had fired Denmark ahead in the 41st minute only for Turkish substitute Okan Buruk to bring the hosts level at the start of the second half.
Tumer Metin then scored with an 81st-minute free-kick to send the Turkish fans wild as a win would have kept them in with a chance of winning the group.
However, Larsen's close-range shot meant that Ukraine, who drew 1-1 in Georgia earlier in the day, have an unassailable lead on 24 points.
Turkey, on 17 points and Denmark on 13 will now battle it out with Greece, on 15, for second place.
Ukraine were denied victory when they conceded a late equaliser in Georgia. They took the lead just before half-time through Ruslan Rotan in a match played behind closed doors because of previous crowd problems.
Ukraine, who had missed out on major tournaments three times by losing play-offs since gaining independence in 1991, held the advantage until seconds from time when Georgi Gakhokidze equalised for the home side.
In other action yesterday, England moved a step closer to qualifying. They won 1-0 against Wales in Cardiff to maintain their unbeaten start in Group Six.
Joe Cole scored the only goal of the game in Cardiff with a deflected shot nine minutes into the second half as England restored some pride after their 4-1 defeat in last month's friendly in Denmark.
Northern Ireland were the other early winners in the same group beating Azerbaijan 2-0 in Belfast for their first victory in a competitive match at home for four years. Although they have no hope of qualifying it at least boosts their confidence before they host England on Wednesday.
Stuart Elliott scored from a free-kick after 60 minutes and substitute Warren Feeney doubled their lead with a penalty five minutes from time.
Russia kept the pressure on Portugal and Slovakia in Group Three with a 2-0 win over minnows Liechtenstein with Alexander Kerz-hakov scoring once in each half.
Russia wasted a good chance to settle their nerves early on when Sergei Ignashevich missed a penalty.
Lively Scots
Substitute defender Fabio Grosso scored a late equaliser for Italy for a 1-1 draw with a spirited Scotland team at Hampden Park.
The result kept Italy ahead in Group Five. Italy have 14 points from seven games while Scotland are one from bottom with seven points. Norway, who beat Slovenia away, are second on 12 points.
Scotland snatched the lead with a wonderful header by Kenny Miller, who steered a powerful effort away from keeper Angelo Peruzzi on 13 minutes from a Paul Hartley cross.
Grosso, on after the break for Cristian Zaccardo, crashed home a spectacular equaliser high into the net from about eight metres when Scotland failed to clear a corner in the 76th minute.