New Delhi: World champion Italy and Spain qualified for the Euro 2008 championship after registering wins in their qualifying match on Saturday night.
While Italy beat Scotland 2-1 on an injury-time goal by Christian Panucci, Spain secured their berth in the finals on Saturday with an impressive 3-0 victory over Sweden in Madrid.
Making his 50th appearance for the Azzurri, veteran fullback Panucci headed in a free kick by Andrea Pirlo after Barry Ferguson's 65th-minute goal had equalised a goal scored by Luca Toni in the second minute.
The victory put Italy at the top of Group B with 26 points from 11 games.
Italy's win means that France also qualify for the championship.
In Madrid, Spain took the lead through full-back Joan Capdevila in the 15th minute. Spain soon made it 2-0 just before the break when Andres Iniesta smashed a left-footed effort into the top-corner of the net.
And Sergio Ramos soon made it 3-0 for Spain in the 65th minute.
Sweden went into the match a point clear of Spain at the top of Group F but, with Northern Ireland beating Denmark, they now still need at least a draw from Wednesday's clash with Latvia to also be certain of reaching the finals.
Meanwhile, Germany maintained the pressure on the Czech Republic in the race for top spot in Group D with a comfortable 4-0 win against Cyprus in Hannover.
Germany got their first goal in less than two minutes as Lukas Podolski pulled the ball back from the goalline for Clemens Fritz to score a header. Miroslav Klose added the second within the next 20 minutes after accepting a pass from Fritz.
Podolski scored the third goal for Germany eight minutes in the second half and then gave Thomas Hitzlsperger a superb pass in the 82nd minute for a magnificent final goal.
England earned a Euro 2008 qualifying reprieve with their fate again in their own hands after Group E rivals Russia dramatically lost 2-1 in Israel.
Israel took the lead through Elyaniv Barda before Diniyar Bilyaletdinov levelled as Russia started to dominate.
Russia hit the post late on before Omer Golan netted a winner for Israel. England are now two points ahead of Russia and need a draw against Croatia in their final qualifier on Wednesday to secure a Euro 2008 place.
Turkey are the favourite to join Greece at the finals after coming from behind to defeat Norway 2-1 in Group C in Oslo.
In foggy conditions, Norway went ahead in the 12th minute with a stunning overhead kick from defender Erik Hagen.
But Turkey soon equalised through Emre in the 31st minute.
While both teams tried equally hard for the second goal, Turkey finally finished the match as Nihat Kahveci struck the final goal 14 minutes into the second half.
Turkey will qualify for the finals if they defeat Bosnia at home on Wednesday.
Croatia, Poland and the Netherlands also advance to next year's tournament. The final four spots are still to be decided.
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