France, the 1998 champions, and equally star-studded Portugal suffered two more potentially fatal stumbles on the road to the World Cup finals on Saturday.
France, who were also runners-up in 2006, were held to a 1-1 draw by Romania in Paris which kept them in second spot in Group Seven, four points behind leaders Serbia who they visit on Wednesday in a must-win clash.
Defeat in Belgrade would leave Raymond Domenech’s side facing having to qualify via the lottery of the play-offs.
PHOTO: EPA
Portugal, boasting the world’s most expensive player in Cristiano Ronaldo, are in an even more precarious position after a 1-1 draw at Group One leaders Denmark in Copenhagen which virtually ended the 2006 semi-finalists’ hopes of automatic qualification.
In Paris, France took the lead through veteran captain Thierry Henry early in the second-half only for Julien Escude to put through his own net a few minutes later.
“It’s disappointing,” Domenech said. “After all we had many chances and 4-5 attackers. However, the top spot is still up for grabs. I repeat it would have been better to win but we just have to regroup and focus on Wednesday. We have to show character.”
PHOTO: AFP
Austria downed the Faeroe Islands 3-1 in the other Group Seven match.
Portugal still face shock elimination despite Brazilian-born striker Leidson marking his debut with a headed equalizer three minutes from time against Denmark in Copenhagen.
Arsenal’s Nicklas Bendtner had volleyed the Danes ahead in the first half.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Portugal, coached by former Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz, have slumped to fourth place, seven points behind Denmark, three behind Hungary and two back from Sweden who won 2-1 in Budapest thanks to an injury-time strike from Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
World champions Italy saw off Georgia 2-0 in Tbilisi to stay a point ahead of the Republic of Ireland in Group Eight thanks to a pair of own-goals from AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze.
Ireland defeated Cyprus 2-1 in Nicosia with a late strike from Robbie Keane securing the three points.
“Georgia sparkled at the beginning but we controlled them very well. Then in the second half we deserved the luck we had with the goals,” Italy coach Marcello Lippi said.
Bulgaria beat Montenegro 4-1 in the other match in the group.
Russia edged Liechtenstein 3-0 in St Petersburg in Group Four to move just a point behind leaders Germany, who they meet in Moscow on Oct. 10.
CSKA Moscow defender Vasily Berezutsky and Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, with two penalties, made sure of the three points for Guus Hiddink’s team.
In Lankaran Azerbaijan lost 1-2 to Finland, a result that leaves the Finns third in the group.
In Glasgow, Scotland grabbed a 2-0 win over Macedonia courtesy of Scott Brown’s first international goal and a superb solo effort from James McFadden while Iceland and Norway drew 1-1 in Reykjavik.
Scotland on Wednesday need to beat the Netherlands, who have already qualified from Group Nine with a perfect 21 points from seven matches, to retain their slim hopes of booking a play-off place.
In Kiev, Ukraine needed three penalties to see off Andorra 5-0 to stay in contention for the runners-up spot in Group Six where England are virtually assured of making the finals having won all of their seven matches.
Croatia stay second thanks to a 1-0 home win over Belarus. The Croatians go to England on Wednesday where Fabio Capello’s home side can secure qualification with victory.
Switzerland went top of Group Two with a 2-0 home win over Greece while Israel lost 0-1 at home to Latvia. In the other Group 2 clash Moldova and Luxembourg played out a 0-0 draw in Chisinau.
Slovakia and the Czech Republic drew 2-2 in Bratislava to leave the home side on top of Group Three.
Former Liverpool striker Milan Baros scored six minutes from time to keep the Czechs’ slender hopes of a play-off place alive.
Northern Ireland kept their qualification hopes alive with a 1-1 draw against Poland in Chorzow.
In Group Five Turkey beat Estonia 4-2 while Armenia lost 0-2 at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Only Europe’s nine group winners are assured of places in the finals; the eight best runners-up have to play-off.
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