Russia 2-1 Slovenia Andrei Arshavin, and his midfield controlled the game for 88 minutes, creating many clear-cut chances. Operating as an attacking midfielder rather than a front man, Roman Pavlyuchenko played a vital role in keeping the visiting defence under pressure for most of the match, midfielder Bilyaletdinov made the most of the night scoring a brace in the 40 and 52 minutes, the first with a superb turn and strike. The hosts’ uncertain defending then allowed Slovenia to come back into the game with some late pressure, with Pecnik’s close-range header in the 88 minute leaving the Russian fans with a nervy finish.

Greece 0-0 Ukraine A goalless draw was about the right result as the Greece side had to play with the absence of several or their first eleven. The Ukraine team started brightly then retreated into playing for a draw. The Greeks showed a little more determination in the second half but without putting too much pressure on a solid Ukrainian defence, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of Wednesday’s return game in the Ukraine.

Republic of Ireland 0-1 France , France had to battle an early storm from the Irish before eventually getting themselves back into the match the Irish had the better chances before half time. The action opened up in the second-half as the visitors’ better technique began to show against their fighting opponents, who tired visibly in the closing stages. The only goal of the night came when Yoann Gourcuff laid the ball off to Nicolas Anelka, who strike took a deflection off the unfortunate, Sean St Ledger and went in off Shay Given’s left-hand post. After a long and hard qualifying campaign, Raymond Domenech’s Les Bleus, can finally see South Africa coming into sight.

Portugal 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina Cristiano Ronaldo injured and looking on from the stands, Portugal Dominated the game from the start, Portugal were rewarded for their greater commitment when the unmarked Alves came in at the far post to head home Nani’s excellent centre. Being one down the visitors pressed forward, leaving themselves at times open to Portugal’s speedy counter attacks. Each team had chances but poor finishing left the tie, hanging in the balance.