Hamburg - Former world champions Argentina and France are in danger of missing the World Cup finals after Wednesday9s qualifiers, while Portugal's hopes still depend on other teams despite a key victory. A World Cup next year without Lionel Messi, Franck Ribery and Cristiano Ronaldo remains a possibility after Argentina9s defeat to Paraguay, and France9s failure to beat Serbia.
Portugal9s 1-0 win in Hungary was a brief respite for Ronaldo and company in their bid for a play-off place, but they must rely on other results to go their way.
Meanwhile veteran Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker met his fate when probable failure to reach the 2010 tournament in South Africa with Poland led to dismissal late Wednesday.
Argentina9s 1-0 defeat to Paraguay - who have now qualified for South Africa in 2010 - leaves Diego Maradona9s side in fifth place, a point behind Ecuador, with two games to play.
Only the top four teams are certain to qualify in South America, with the side in fifth facing a play-off with the fourth-placed team in the North, Central America and Caribbean group.
A play-off scenario should not be beyond the two-times world champions, but Maradona9s side has hit a worrying loss of form.
"This is the reality we must live and I will face it like always in my life," he said. "We still have a chance and we are holding it," Maradona said.
Maradona, who inspired Argentina to their 1986 title, has now overseen four defeats in the six World Cup qualifiers, putting him under increasing pressure.
France9s 1-1 draw at Group 7 leaders Serbia leaves the 1998 World Cup winners and 2006 runners-up with only an outside chance of direct qualification.
Serbia will qualify directly with victory over Romania on October 10, while France will be banking on three points at home to Faroe Islands before Austria are the visitors four days later.
France had to recover from the early sending off of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to earn a point in Serbia, leaving embattled coach Raymond Domenech encouraged by the performance.
"I9m happy for the people who believed in us and supported us. I still believe and it9s not over," he said.
Portugal gained some relief with a 1-0 win in Hungary ahead of home games against the Hungarians and Malta in Group 1.
However their destiny depends on how Sweden fare at leaders Denmark and at home to Malta, plus the game between Denmark and Hungary.
"There are still four candidates in the group, because with two more wins any of the teams can reach the World Cup," Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz said.
World champions Italy have no such worries after a 2-0 win over Bulgaria, and will make sure of their World Cup ticket if they win or draw against Ireland in Dublin on October 10.
England and European champions Spain can book their flights after flawless campaigns, joining Netherlands as European qualifiers so far.
Sweden eased through with a 3-0 win over Estonia in Group 5 where Bosnia-Herzegovina are well placed to beat Turkey to the play-off place.
England9s 5-1 rout of Group 6 opponents Croatia left coach Fabio Capello beaming and Croatia coach Slaven Bilic impressed.
"This was not a defeat, it was a humiliation. Not in our worst nightmares were we expecting such a defeat," Bilic said.
"Based on this performance, England can definitely win the World Cup next year. Definitely."
Croatia are left vying with Ukraine for the play-off place. They have only a match left in Kazakhstan, while Ukraine - two points behind - face England at home and minnows Andorra away.
Three-time world champions Germany edged closer to qualification with a 4-0 win over Azerbaijan in Group 4 where they are now in a direct duel with Russia, 3-1 winners in Wales and a point behind.
The two sides meet in Moscow next month in what could decide the winners of the group.
After a 2-2 draw in Latvia, Switzerland are looking good for qualification in Group 2 where Greece conceded a late goal to be held to a 1-1 draw in Moldova.
Ottmar Hitzfeld9s Swiss side, three points clear, have a trip to Luxembourg and a home match against Israel - also still in the running - to finish their campaign. Greece and Latvia - level on points - do battle in Athens on October 10.
Slovakia are now five points clear of Slovenia and Northern Ireland in Group 3. But Slovenia could pose a threat with visits to Slovakia and minnows San Marino. The Czech Republic, two points behind, take on Poland and Northern Ireland at home but must rely on Slovenia to drop points.
A 3-0 defeat to Slovenia all but ended Poland9s hopes and cost Beenhakker his job. Scotland will also review manager George Burley9s position after a 1-0 defeat to the Netherlands meant failure to qualify from Group 9. Norway clinched the play-off place behind the Dutch with a 2-1 win over Macedonia.
Also through to a play-off are Bahrain, who needed a goal five minutes into second half injury time to secure a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia and advance on the away goal rule.
The Arabic country, who have never played at the World Cup finals, will now meet Oceania champions New Zealand on a home and away basis for a place in South Africa.
