Edging towards the World Cup

Spain earned a 2-0 win in Finland Friday, with goals from Jordi Alba and Alvaro Negredo. The defending World and European champions are now three points ahead of France, who drew 0-0 with Georgia, and leading Group I with 14 points.

Alberto Gilardino's header proved the winner for Italy in their away match versus Bulgaria. The Italians are now seven points clear in Group B with three matches to play.

England beat Moldova 4-0 at home, with a Danny Welbeck brace following early goals from Steven Gerard and Rickie Lambert. The win puts them atop Group H with 15 points, ahead of Montenegro – who drew 1-1 with Poland – on goal difference with a game in hand. Ukraine kept their qualification hopes alive with a 9-0 victory against San Marino, giving them 14 points.

Cristiano Ronaldo's hat trick helped Portugal to a 4-2 away win over Northern Ireland and atop Group F. Russia, who trail them by just two points, made easy work of Luxembourg in a 4-1 victory.

A stoppage time penalty from Robin Van Persie salvaged a 2-2 draw for the Netherlands in Estonia, keeping them undefeated in World Cup qualification. The Dutch are first in Group D with 19 points. Romania, who defeated Hungary 3-0, are six points behind in second place.

Belgium are on track for World Cup qualification after their 2-0 win over Scotland gave them a five point cushion atop Group A with two matches to play. Croatia, in second place, were held to a 1-1 draw away to Serbia, while Macedonia were 2-1 winners at home to Wales.

Switzerland managed only a point at home in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Iceland. Despite the result they still lead group E with 15 points, four ahead of Norway, who beat Cyprus 2-0.

Greece took advantage of Bosnia-Herzegovina's 1-0 home loss to Slovakia with a 1-0 away victory of their own against Liechtenstein. The two sides are tied atop Group G with 16 points each. Slovakia are just four points behind them.

Friday's full UEFA World Cup qualifying results:

Macedonia 2-1 Wales

Serbia 1-1 Croatia

Scotland 0-2 Belgium

Czech Republic 1-2 Armenia

Malta 1-2 Denmark

Italy 1-0 Bulgaria

Kazakhstan 2-1 Faroe Islands

Germany 3-0 Austria

Ireland 1-2 Sweden

Romania 3-0 Hungary

Turkey 5-0 Andorra

Estonia 2-2 Netherlands

Norway 2-0 Cyprus

Slovenia 1-0 Albania

Switzerland 4-4 Iceland

Russia 4-1 Luxembourg

Northern Ireland 2-4 Portugal

Latvia 2-1 Lithuania

Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-1 Slovakia

Liechtenstein 0-1 Greece

England 4-0 Moldova

Ukraine 9-0 San Marino

Poland 1-1 Montenegro

Georgia 0-0 France

Finland 0-2 Spain