Soccer: It's that wizard Owen again as England go top of their group

Another goal from red-hot striker Michael Owen and a late strike by Robbie Fowler enabled England to scrape a 2-0 World Cup victory over Albania yesterday, sending Sven Goran Eriksson's team to the top of group nine.

England predictably came down to earth after their amazing 5-1 victory in Germany on Sunday and led only after Owen's clever volley from a Paul Scholes' through-ball in the 44th minute.

It was the Liverpool striker's 11th goal in eight games this season following his hat-trick on Sunday.

The nerves were showing until substitute Fowler's delicate 88th-minute finish clinched the victory and the three points that takes them to 16 and above Germany on goal difference.

If England beat Greece at Old Trafford in their final game on October 6 - barring a huge win over Finland for Germany - they will win the group on goal difference and qualify for the finals, leaving Germany to enter the playoffs.

Belgium outplayed a disappointing Scotland to win 2-0 in group six and guarantee themselves at least a playoff place.

They need only a draw away to Croatia next month to qualify automatically.

Scotland face a huge task and can now only qualify if Belgium beat Croatia and the Scots beat Latvia heavily to end with a better goal difference than the Croats.

Sweden and Spain qualified with contrasting victories in groups four and seven respectively.

Sweden clinched a staggering 2-1 triumph in Istanbul, scoring twice against Turkey in the last four minutes to steal all three points and book their ticket to next year's tournament in Japan and South Korea.

In contrast, Spain cruised through their game in Liechtenstein, winning 2-0. Spain have now qualified for the last seven successive World Cup finals.

In group two, Portugal moved top on goal difference ahead of Ireland, with both on 21 points with one match to play.

The Netherlands (17 points) overcame the disappointment of losing 1-0 to Ireland on Sunday with a 5-0 win over Estonia, but will still finish third and there were only muted scenes of joy at the end of their hollow victory.

It is the first time since 1986 that they have failed to qualify.

In the South American group, Argentina scored twice in the last 13 minutes to beat Brazil 2-1 and plunge their arch-rivals back into trouble.

Brazil, the only team to have played at every World Cup, stunned the 60,000 crowd by taking a third-minute lead with a bizarre wind-assisted own goal by Roberto Fabian Ayala.

The four-times world champions held out until the 77th minute when Marcelo Gallardo headed in from a chance created by substitute Ariel Ortega.

Then Brazilian defender Cris, under pressure from Ortega, turned a cross from Claudio Lopez into his own net from close range to hand Argentina the winning goal with five minutes remaining.

Brazil, who have 24 points, stayed fourth in the group, but are ahead of Uruguay only on goal difference.

The top four teams qualify and the fifth play off against Oceania winners Australia.

Argentina, who lead the group with 38 points, have already qualified.

- AGENCIES