Published: 15 October, 2009, 11:38
Edited: 15 October, 2009, 10:01
Slovakia and Switzerland became two of the last European nations to get an automatic qualification for World Cup 2010 after achieving wins on Wednesday.
On a snow-covered pitch Slovakia clinched one of Europe’s last two automatic qualification spots.
An own goal from Poland's Seweryn Gancarczyk was the difference between the two sides on the night.
Slovakia can now look forward to playing football in sunny South Africa next summer. It will be their first World Cup finals since gaining independence 16 years ago.
Switzerland took the other automatic qualification place, finishing top of Group 2 with a goalless draw against Israel.
Ukraine denied Croatia their World Cup aspirations, clinching the playoff spot in Group 6.
They needed a win against Andorra, and got the desired result with ease, despite playing away.
Captain Andrey Shevchenko got things underway in the 22nd minute, and five more goals followed.
Slovenia beat San Marino to finish second behind Slovakia in Group 3, making the Czech Republic forget about their South African dream.
Milivoje Novakovic, Dalibor Stevanovic and Marko Suler scored in the one-sided affair in Serravalle.
Portugal had to beat Malta to be sure of a playoff spot and did it with no problems. Nani, who replaced injured Cristiano Ronaldo got the first past the posts.
However, the second didn’t come until just before half-time, with Simao Sabrosa getting his 21st international goal.
Just after the break some slack Maltese defending allowed Miguel Veloso in, before Edinho added a fourth in the dying moments.
Greece scored two first half goals to defeat a 10-man Luxembourg.
A header from Vasileios Torosidis gave the hosts the lead. They looked even more comfortable when Theofanis Gekas also nodded one in just a couple of minutes later.
 Argentina's coach Diego Maradona celebrates his team's goal against Uruguay (AFP Photo / Daniel Garcia) |
Luxembourg then had Ben Payal sent off for an ugly challenge with half an hour left, but Greece made hard work of it.
Papadopoulos scored an own goal to set up a nervy final few minutes, but Greece hung on and have made it to the play-offs.
Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Spain, England, Serbia, Italy and the Netherlands have all won automatic qualification for World Cup 2010.
Russia, Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, France and the Republic of Ireland will compete for the other four spots in South Africa in November’s playoffs.
It was also a tense night for Diego Maradona.
His Argentine side scored in the 85th minute to defeat Uruguay 1-0 and secure a place at next year’s World Cup.
Substitute Mario Bolatti scored the only goal of the night at Montevideo.
It sparked celebrations in Argentinean capital Buenos Aries and all across the country.
Other South American nations also through to South Africa are Brazil, Chile and Paraguay.