ROMANIA, the Republic's main threat in group eight, enjoyed an impressive 4-0 win over Iceland in Reykjavik. A first-half goal from Moldovan provided the foundation for their victory. Georghe Hagi, Gici Popescu and Dan Petrescu chipped in with second-half - strikes.
In Vilnius, Lithuania struggled to a 2-1 win over Liechtenstein, the weakest team in group eight. Arminas Narbekovas, who plays for Austrian first division side Admira Vacker, scored the winner with a stunning free-kick. Narbekovas, who returned to the national side in the 2-0 win over Iceland last week after an 18-month absence due to injury, blasted a shot over the Liechtenstein wall in the 55th minute to seal victory.
Lithuania dominated the first half but failed to get past a solid Liechtenstein defence and goalkeeper Martin Heeb until the 43rd minute when Edgaras Jankauskas received the ball a few metres in front of the goal and slotted it in.
In a good spell at the start of the second hall, Liechtenstein's Harry Zech found himself alone in the penalty box and managed to lift the ball over diving Lithuanian goalkeeper Gintaras Stauche to equalise in the 53rd minute.
The Czech Republic and Spain played out a scoreless draw in their group six qualifier in a match that never lived up to expectations.
The Czechs were facing their first big test since they reached the Euro 96 final, while Real Madrid's teenage striker Raul was looking to spark a depleted Spanish attack in his first full international.
Like two heavyweights feeling each other out in the early rounds, both teams started tentatively, waiting to pounce on the other's mistakes.
The Czeclis picked up their play in the second-hall, putting Spain on their heels for the rest of the game. I don't think we lost points tonight because they are such an excellent team. They played strongly in the defence and it's too bad we missed out on the two great chances we had," said Czech striker Patrik Berger.
Injury-hit European champions Germany, without seven key players, brushed Armenia aside 5-1 in a group nine qualifier in Yerevan. Thomas Haessler (20th and 39th minutes), skipper Juergen Klinsmann (26th), Fredi Bobic (69th) and Stefan Kuntz (80th) all scored for the Germans before Karapet Mikaelyan scored a consolation for the home side just before the end. Ukraine stay top of the group but Portugal improved their standing to second with a 3-0 win in Albania.
In Scotland's group four, there was another surprise when Austria beat Sweden 1-0 in Stockholm. The only goal came after 11 minutes through Andreas Herzog to dent Sweden's 100 per cent record and lift Austria - temporarily at least - level on points with Scotland after two games.
There was another notable result in Tel Aviv where Israel held Russia to a 1-1 draw in group five thanks to a Gadi Brumer goal for the home side after 64 minutes. Igor Kolyvanov equalised for Russia 11 minutes from time.
Denmark joined Greece level on points at the top of group one after beating the Greeks 2-1 in Copenhagen. A Theodoros Zagorakis own goal after 25 minutes gave Denmark the lead before Georgios Donis equalised after 35 minutes. Brian Laudrup secured the points for the home side five minutes after half-time.
Kjetil Rekdal scored a hat-trick in the last seven minutes of a group three match in Oslo to give Norway a 3-0 win over Hungary.
Italy just edged out Georgia, 1-0, in Perugia in group two and again posed questions about coach Arrigo Sacchi's strategy. However, it was a memorable night for local hero Fabrizio Ravanelli born and brought up in Perugia, who Jumped to head home Italy's winner shortly before half-time.
