October 13, 2008	Monday	Shawwal 13, 1429

PARIS, Oct 12: Former champions France and 2006 semi-finalists Portugal were struggling to keep their 2010 World Cup dreams on track on Saturday as Europe’s major powers toiled on the rocky road to South Africa.

France, the 1998 winners and runners-up just two years ago, came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Romania to leave them in fourth place in Group Seven.

Portugal, who lost to Denmark at home in their last qualifier, could only draw 0-0 in Sweden, a result which put them third in Group One, three points behind the Danes.

Defending champions Italy were held to a 0-0 draw in Bulgaria as they stayed top of Group Eight while Germany edged Russia 2-1 to remain in charge of Group Four.

England clinched a flattering 5-1 win over hapless Kazakhstan to keep up their 100-percent record in Group Six; Euro 2008 winners Spain also made it three wins in three as a 3-0 victory in Estonia kept them clear in Group Five.

Greece, the European champions in 2004, beat Moldova 3-0 to also stay perfect at the top of Group Two while the Netherlands are the only other nation with maximum points after a 2-0 home win against Iceland.

The future of France coach Raymond Domenech was left hanging in the balance after his team’s 2-2 draw in Constanta.

Florentin Petre and Dorin Goian scored a goal apiece in a dominant first half to leave the hosts with the advantage before Franck Ribery pulled one back for ‘Les Bleus’ in the 36th minute.

It took until the 69th minute for France to draw level thanks to a stunning drive from Yoann Gourcuff.

Only the nine group winners are assured of places in the finals with the eight best runners-up facing a play-off.

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed Portugal’s defeat to Denmark last month because of a knee injury, returned in Stockholm but was unable to inspire victory in a 0-0 draw.

Italy put their injury concerns to one side to carve out a 0-0 draw against Bulgaria.

The point gave Marcello Lippi’s team seven points from their three games in Group Eight. Italy lead by three points from Ireland who have played a game less.

At Wembley, Wayne Rooney scored twice as England stayed on top of Group Six but the level of performance never matched the highs of last month’s 4-1 win in Croatia.

Fabio Capello’s side had to wait until seven minutes into the second half to take the lead through a Rio Ferdinand header before defender Alexandr Kuchma put through his own goal to double their advantage.

Zhambyl Kukeyev’s well-taken strike briefly gave the visitors hope before Rooney’s double and a late goal from substitute Jermain Defoe calmed Wembley nerves.

In the same group, Ukraine were held to a goalless draw by Croatia, which means England lead the table by two points from Ukraine and five from Croatia.

In Dortmund, Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack and Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski, with his 31st international strike, fired first-half goals to give Germany a 2-1 win over Russia.

Germany remain a point clear at the top of Group Four on seven points with two wins and a draw after their win over Russia who are fourth with three points

Andrei Arshavin grabbed Russia’s consolation.

Germany face second placed Wales, who saw off Liechtenstein 2-0 in Cardiff, next on Wednesday.

Spain cruised to a 3-0 win over Estonia to maintain their 100-percent record after three matches in Group 5 as Juanito, David Villa, with a penalty, and Carlos Puyol found the net.

Scotland’s qualification from Group Nine hangs in the balance after a goalless draw against Norway at Hampden.

The Dutch top the section, and have a two-point lead, after a 2-0 win over Iceland with Joris Mathijsen and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on target.

In Group Three, Poland, put their political problems behind them with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic while Slovenia are tied for the lead after a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland.

Collated results of 2010 World Cup European qualifying matches:

Group One

Hungary 2 Albania 0

Sweden 0 Portugal 0

Denmark 3 Malta 0

Group Two

Switzerland 2 Latvia 1

Luxembourg 1 Israel 3

Greece 3 Moldova 0

Group Three

Poland 2 Czech Republic 1

San Marino 1 Slovakia 3

Slovenia 2 Northern Ireland 0

Group Four

Finland 1 Azerbaijan 0

Wales 2 Liechtenstein 0

Germany 2 Russia 1

Group Five

Turkey 2 Bosnia 1

Belgium 2 Armenia 0

Estonia 0 Spain 3

Group Six

England 5 Kazakhstan 1

Ukraine 0 Croatia 0

Group Seven

Serbia 3 Lithuania 0

Romania 2 France 2

Group Eight

Georgia 1 Cyprus 1

Bulgaria 0 Italy 0

Group Nine

Scotland 0 Norway 0

Netherlands 2 Iceland 0

—Agencies