European Championship qualifiers round-up:Northern Ireland's Euro 2012 qualification hopes took a heavy blow in Belgrade as they conceded twice in the second half to surrender a hard-earned lead against Group C rivals Serbia.
Only some brave last-ditch defending stopped them going behind but when Gareth McAuley rose to head home Chris Brunt’s cross in the 40th minute, a famous victory looked on the cards.
But Serbia, playing in the near-deserted Crvena Zvezda Stadium as a result of crowd trouble against Italy, hit back through Marko Pantelic before Zoran Tosic drilled in the winner via a slight deflection.
Spain'sDavid Villa became Spain's top scorer as he helped his side come back from a goal down to beat the Czech Republic2-1 in Granada.
Jaroslav Plasil gave the visitors a shock lead in the Group I encounter, but Barcelona striker Villa equalised on 69 minutes before scoring from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute to claim his 46th international goal, beating Raul’s previous record.
The result puts Spain six points clear of the Czechs in the five-team group that also includes Scotland.
Italytook a big step towards qualifying by beating Slovenia1-0 with a Thiago Motta goal in a top-of-the-table Group C clash in Ljubljana.
The result means Italy, who have 13 points, have doubled their lead to six points over Slovenia after five matches.
Brazil-born Motta struck his first international goal in only his second Italy appearance after 73 minutes, firing left-footed into the corner from just inside the box in a match the visiting Azzurri side had dominated from the start.
Earlier, Italy striker Giampaolo Pazzini and Slovenia substitute Zlatan Ljubijankic had come closest to scoring, striking the woodwork either side of halftime.
Francewent four points clear of Group D qualifying after goals by Philippe Mexes and Yoann Gourcuff earned a 2-0 win in Luxembourg.
Skipper Samir Nasri delivered a perfect free kick into the box for Mexes to head home in the 28th minute, while Florent Malouda and Karim Benzema then went close to a second goal before halftime.
France scored again 18 minutes from time when Gourcuff volleyed in a Franck Ribery cross.
The Netherlandsgained complete control of Group E as they beat Hungary3-0 in Budapest to go six points clear of their hosts at the top of the table.
Tottenham’s Rafael van der Vaart got the ball rolling in the eighth minute on a good night for their Premier League players, with Barcelona midfielder scoring just before the interval to give them a 2-0 half-time lead at the Puskas Stadium.
Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt banished any thought of a home revival when he scored their third eight minutes after the interval, with Robin van Persie getting in on the act just past the hour mark.
The Dutch have now claimed full points from their five outings to date, scoring 16 goals and conceding just two.
Axel Witsel scored early in each half as Belgiumbeat toothless Austria2-0 to hand their opponents their first defeat in Group A.
The win took Belgium level with Austria on seven points and five points behind group leaders Germany who host Kazakhstan on Saturday and have a 100 per cent record from their four games.
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