Ten-man Germany were rescued by Miroslav Klose as the young striker guided them to victory over Greece in Athens last night.

With the score locked at 2-2 and Germany a man short after the 60th-minute sending-off of Sebastian Deisler, the Kaiserslautern striker headed his side into the lead.

After Klose had put the Germans ahead, fellow substitute Marco Bode rubbed salt into Greek wounds with a fourth goal in the last minute.

The goal-spree began in the sixth minute as German striker Carsten Jancker fed Marko Rehmer for a simple tap in.

However, Giorgos Georgiadis forced an opening for Angelos Haristeas to slot home past Oliver Kahn in the 20th minute .

The joy was short-lived, however, as Grigoris Georgatos hauled down Michael Ballack in the area only four minutes later and the Bayer Leverkusen forward picked himself up to convert from the spot.

PAOK midfielder Georgiadis had two strong penalty appeals waved away before he managed to latch on to a Georgatos cross and equalise with a header in the 44th minute.

Germany though, were able to regroup for the final onslaught.

Elsewhere, a goal from Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could not prevent Norway sliding to a disastrous 2-1 defeat against Belarus, a defeat which leaves their hopes of qualifying in tatters.

Brazil were sent crashing to a historic first ever World Cup qualifying defeat at the hands of unfancied Ecuador in Quito.

A goal from Agustin Delgado on 49 minutes was enough to give Ecuador a 1-0 victory in the hard-fought tie, played 2,800 metres above sea-level.

The altitude clearly affected the Brazilians who looked lethargic and appeared to be struggling throughout. However, they remain well-placed to qualify from the South American region and are in second place in the overall standings.