Germany, Belgium, Switzerland qualified for World Cup

Spain's Alvaro Negredo celebrates after scoring a goal against Belarus during their 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match at Son Moix stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Oct 11, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

The scenario is easier for Russia after its 4-0 win in Luxembourg, which left Fabio Capello's team three points ahead of Portugal and needing only a draw in Azerbaijan to guarantee first place.

Portugal conceded a goal to Eden Ben Basat with five minutes left to draw 1-1 at home to Israel and virtually ensure it will be in next month's two-legged playoffs, which feature the top eight runners-up.

Helped by two goals by Edin Dzeko, Group G leader Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Liechtenstein 4-1 at home and can qualify automatically for its first major tournament with a win at Lithuania on Tuesday. Greece defeated Slovakia 1-0 and is level on points with the Bosnians, but has a vastly inferior goal difference.

Elsewhere, Sweden joined Croatia in the playoffs after securing second place in Germany's group with a 2-1 home victory over Austria, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbing a late winner. They are the only two countries definitely in the two-legged playoffs, which will played on November 15 and 19.

Italy, which qualified along with the Dutch last month, equalized in injury time to draw 2-2 at Denmark and leave Bulgaria second on goal difference in Group B despite a 2-1 loss in Armenia.

Iceland stayed second behind Switzerland after overcoming Cyprus 2-0, while Turkey and Romania won away games on Friday to stay tied on points behind the Netherlands with one match remaining.

The Turks have the edge on goal difference but finish off against the Dutch, who showed they are in no mood to relax by ripping apart Hungary in Amsterdam.

Van Persie scored twice before half time and seven minutes into the second half to go one goal ahead of Patrick Kluivert in the all-time list.

"Records are made to be broken... I'm happy for him," said Kluivert, who is now one of Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal's assistants.

Thirteen of the 32 spots at the World Cup are now set. The United States, Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, Iran, Japan and South Korea had also already qualified before Friday, and Brazil gets an automatic berth as host.

Colombia and Chile were in position to advance later Friday.