A late goal from substitute Fernando Llorente helped world champions Spain to the top of Group I with a narrow 3-2 win over ten-man Scotland, who briefly threatened an upset in their match at Hampden.
A David Villa penalty put Spain ahead on the stroke of half-time and Andres Iniesta doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half.
A Steven Naismith diving header three minutes later gave Scotland hope before Gerard Pique turned James Morrison’s cross into his own net to haul them level.
However, substitute Llorente restored Spain’s lead in the 79th minute, three minutes after coming on, to restore their lead before Steven Whittaker was sent off for his second yellow in the 90th minute.
At Wembley, England’s hopes of a successful qualifying campaign suffered a setback as they were held to a 0-0 draw by football minnows Montenegro.
In a result that is certain to see renewed pressure on England coach Fabio Capello, Montenegro held on to secure a precious point to remain top of Group G with 10 points from four games.
England, forced to field a third choice strikeforce comprising Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch following injuries to Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent, paid the price for failing to turn possession into goals.
England’s players were also furious with German referee Manuel Grafe, who waved away appeals for what looked like a certain handball on 77 minutes when Milan Jovanovic clearly controlled with his arm in the box.
Germany confirmed their leadership of Euro 2012 qualifying Group A with a confident 3-0 win over hosts Kazakhstan yesterday.
Miroslav Klose, second-half substitute Mario Gomez and Lukas Podolski scored one apiece to maintain Germany’s perfect record: 12 points from four matches, five points ahead of second-placed Austria, who figured in an exciting 4-4 draw with Belgium.
Turkey, who suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Azerbaijan sit third on six points.
France consolidated their spot atop Group D with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Luxembourg in Metz yesterday.
Goals in either half from Karim Benzema and Yoann Gourcuff, in a game that often took on the air of a training ground session, sealed a victory that now sees Les Bleus with nine points from their four games, with Belarus in second on eight after their 2-0 win over Albania.
Results and fixtures
Group A
Azerbaijan 1
Sadygov 38;
Turkey 0
Belgium 4
Vossen 11; Fellaini 47; Ogunjimi 87; Lombaerts 90;
Austria 4
Schiemer 14, 62; Arnautovic 29; Harnik 90+1;
Red card: Scharner (A) 68
Kazakhstan 0
Germany 3
Klose 48; Gomes 76; Podolski 85;
March 25
Austria vs Belgium
Germany vs Kazakhstan
Group B
Armenia 4
Ghazaryan 4; Mkhitaryan 16; Movsisyan 32; Pizzelli 52;
Andorra 0
Macedonia 0
Russia 1
Kerzhakov 8;
Missed penalty: Naumoski (M) 73;
Slovakia 1
Durica 36;
Ireland 1
St Ledger 16;
Missed penalty: Keane (I) 45
March 26
Andorra vs Slovakia
Armenia vs Russia
Ireland vs Macedonia
Group C
Italy 0
Serbia 0
(suspended on 6 mins - crowd trouble)
Faroes 1
Holst 61;
N. Ireland 1
Lafferty 76;
Estonia 0
Slovenia 1
Sidurenkov 66 og;
March 25
Serbia vs Northern Ireland
Slovenia vs Italy
Group D
France 2
Benzema 22; Gourcuff 76;
Luxembourg 0
Red card: Peters (L) 54
Belarus 2
Rodionov 10; Krivets 77;
Albania 0
Red card: Dallku (A) 90
March 25
Luxembourg vs France
Albania vs Belarus - March 26
Bosnia vs Romania - March 26
Group E
Finland 1
Forssell 86;
Hungary 2
Szalai 50; Dzsudzsak 90;
San Marino 0
Moldova 2
Josan 20; Dorosh 86 pen;
Netherlands 4
Huntelaar 4, 55; Afellay 36, 59;
Sweden 1
Granqvist 69;
November 17
Finland vs San Marino
March 25
Hungary vs Netherlands
Group F
Greece 2
Salpingidis 22; Karagounis 62 pen;
Israel 1
Spiropoulos 59 og;
Latvia 1
Cauna 90;
Georgia 1
Siradze 74;
November 17
Croatia vs Malta
March 26
Israel vs Latvia
Georgia vs Croatia
Malta vs Greece
Group G
England 0
Montenegro 0
Switzerland 4
Stocker 8, 89; Streller 21; Inler 82 pen.;
Wales 1
Bale 13;
March 26
Bulgaria vs Switzerland
Wales vs England
Group H
Denmark 2
Rasmussen 47; Lorentzen 81;
Cyprus 0
Iceland 1
Helguson 17;
Portugal 3
Ronaldo 3; Meireles 27; Postiga 72;
March 26
Norway vs Denmark
Cyprus vs Iceland
Group I
Liechtenstein 0
Czech Rep. 2
Necid 12; Kadlec 29;
Scotland 2
Naismith 58; Pique 66 og;
Spain 3
Villa 44 pen; Iniesta 55; Llorente 79;
Red card: Whittaker (Sco) 90
March 25
Spain vs Czech Rep.
March 29
Czech Rep. vs Liechtenstein
Lithuania vs Spain