Germany became the first team to book their Euro 2012 place through the qualification groups as they hammered neighbours Austria 6-2 last night.

Italy, England and the Netherlands also moved closer to qualification after maintaining their winning streak.

For Germany this was their eighth straight qualification victory, giving Joachim Loew’s side an unassailable 24 points at the top of Group A to leave second-placed Turkey 11 points adrift.

Plucky Austria, however, exposed some weaknesses in the Germany defence and both Austrian goals were scored by players who ply their trade in the German league.

Despite the hosts making an explosive start to the game, it suggested Loew still has some fine-tuning to do if Germany are to challenge at the finals in Poland and the Ukraine next June.

Germany cruised into a 3-0 lead after 28 minutes thanks to goals by Miroslav Klose, Mesut Ozil, who added a second after the break, and Lukas Podolski.

Austria got back into the game as first Werder Bremen’s Marko Arnautovic, then Stuttgart’s Martin Harnik scored to keep the guests in the chase.

But German replacements Andre Schuerrle and teenage star Mario Goetze scored in the final ten minutes to add lustre to the win.

This was the first time Germany had conceded two goals in their qualification games since their Euro 2012 campaign began almost exactly a year ago.

A resurgent Wayne Rooney scored twice as new-look England edged closer to qualification with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Bulgaria.

Rooney, building on his scintillating early season form for Manchester United, struck in the 21st and 45th minutes after England had taken the lead through Bolton defender Gary Cahill at the Vasil Levski Stadium.

The victory leaves Fabio Capello’s men firmly in control at the top of Group G, with only next Tuesday’s game against Wales at Wembley and a trip to second-placed Montenegro next month remaining.

But the defeat spelt the end of Bulgaria’s slender chances of qualification and piles the pressure on German coach Lothar Matthaus, whose reign has been marred by reports of player mutinies.

Italy rode their luck to snatch a 1-0 victory over the Faroe Islands and close in on qualification.

Antonio Cassano scored the only goal of the game from a suspiciously offside looking position to leave the 2006 world champions needing to beat Slovenia on Tuesday in Florence to ensure their place in Poland and Ukraine next year.

But it was anything but easy going in the remote island as the Faroes twice hit the woodwork on a nervy night for the Italians.

France survived an uncomfortable second half to defeat Albania 2-1 and move three points clear at the top of Group D.

Leading 2-0 at half-time through goals from Karim Benzema and Yann M’Vila, France conceded the initiative to their hosts early in the second half when a defensive mix-up enabled Erjon Bogdani to pull a goal back.

There were several nervous moments in the French penalty area thereafter, but they clung on to extend their unbeaten run to 12 games.

Victory also puts them in a strong position in their group with three games to play, although Bosnia-Herzegovina remain on their tails after winning 2-0 in Belarus.

Holland ran up double figures against San Marino as they moved to the brink of Euro 2012 qualification following an 11-0 rout in Amsterdam.

Robin van Persie made the most of his break from Arsenal’s early-season struggles, scoring four goals, and Wesley Sneijder and Klaas Jan Huntelaar added two each.

John Heitinga, Dirk Kuyt and Georgino Wijnaldum were also on target as Group E minnows San Marino’s goal difference slipped to -44 after eight games.