In Group A Belgium moved three points clear at the top with a 2-1 win at home to Serbia while Croatia saw their hopes dealt a blow after losing 1-0 at home to Scotland

Group B saw Italy remain in charge despite a 0-0 draw at Czech Republic while bottom club Malta enjoyed their first win over qualifying after beating Armenia 1-0.

Austria managed to remain above the Republic of Ireland in Group C as they beat Sweden 2-1. David Alaba sunk a penalty while Marc Janko was also on target. Ireland responded with a 3-0 win over Faroe Islands with Robbie Keane bagging a hat-trick.

In Group E Albania stayed in second place after drawing 1-1 at home to Norway while Slovenia moved off the foot of the group table with a 4-2 victory over Iceland.

Group F saw Portugal secure a crucial 1-0 win over Russia to take a provisional lead at the top while Azerbaijam and Luxembourg drew one-all.

Bosnia-Herzegovina stayed ahead of Greece in Group G by hammering 10-man Latvia 5-0. The Greeks grabbed a 1-0 win away to Lithuania while Liechtenstein and Slovakia played out a 1-1 draw.

Group H action saw Poland held to a 1-1 draw away to Moldova while Montenegro opened the door for England to go top when they lost 4-0 to the Ukraine. The game saw Montenegro have two players sent off in the second-half while Ukraine was cut to 10 men just before the break.

In Group F, Finland managed a 1-0 win over bottom club Belarus, who saw Pavel Nekhaychik sent off in stoppage time.