Soccer: Third time lucky as Bosnians reach Cup

Alvaro Negredo (centre) scored against Georgia to help Spain qualify for Brazil. Photo / AP

Spain, England and Russia yesterday sealed spots in next year's World Cup finals as Bosnia-Herzegovina delivered the feel-good story of European qualifying by also topping their group to reach a major tournament for the first time as an independent nation.

After a nervy final night of group-stage play across the continent, France and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal were consigned to next month's playoffs just like in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup but the rest of Europe's leading teams are guaranteed to be in Brazil next summer.

With a population of little more than 300,000, Iceland is the surprise name in the two-legged playoffs that will also feature Greece, Ukraine, Romania and Croatia. Sweden had already advanced to Tuesday's draw, but Denmark had the worst record of the nine group runners-up and missed out.

Spain will defend their world title after securing top spot in Group I ahead of France by beating Georgia 2-0, with Alvaro Negredo and Juan Mata scoring either side of halftime. The French overcame Finland 3-0 but needed Georgia to pull off a shock in Albacete to climb above the Spanish.

"It may look practically routine but it's important to remember how successful we've been at qualifying," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, whose team were one of seven to go through qualifying unbeaten.

England were another, although expectations won't be so high on Roy Hodgson's side in Brazil.

Wayne Rooney's first-half header and Steven Gerrard's late solo goal earned England a 2-0 win over Poland at Wembley Stadium, allowing them to stay ahead of Ukraine in Group H and reach a fifth straight finals.

"It is a great feeling to be in Brazil and hopefully we can go in with a little less pressure on ourselves and surprise a few," said Gerrard, who calmed the nerves of England fans with his 88th-minute strike that wrapped up victory in his 107th international.

That meant Ukraine's 8-0 win in San Marino proved immaterial.

The wins for Spain and England were overshadowed by events in Kaunas, where Bosnia-Herzegovina sparked scenes of delirium in their capital city of Sarajevo by beating Lithuania 1-0 to reach their first World Cup since being granted independence from Yugoslavia in 1992.

For many Bosnians, soccer has been a rare cause for joy since the country descended into nearly four years of war two decades ago.

The national team had missed out on the last two major tournaments by losing in the playoffs to Portugal both times, but this time Bosnia-Herzegovina got it right.

Greece defeated Liechtenstein 2-0 but lost out to the Bosnians on goal difference.

Russia needed only a point to guarantee first place in Group F and a first World Cup since 2002 and achieved it by drawing 1-1 at Azerbaijan.

Portugal's 3-0 win over Luxembourg was in vain, leaving Ronaldo's side a point behind, and they must go through the playoffs to reach a major tournament for the third straight time.

- AP