GLASGOW - It proved to be a good day for Europe's major footballing nations with Italy, France, Holland and Spain all making sure of their places at the finals of Euro 2008 on Saturday.
England also took a significant step towards Austria and Switzerland without playing thanks to Israel's 2-1 defeat of Russia in Tel Aviv.
The most dramatic game was played out in Group B as Italy overcame Scotland at Hampden Park.
The home side, who would have gone through with a win, got off to the worst possible start as Luca Toni put the world champions in front inside two minutes.
Barry Ferguson dragged Scotland level after 65 minutes but Christian Panucci broke the hearts of the Scottish fans with a last-minute winner.
The result not only qualified the Azzurri but also France, who were spared the task of having to get a point from a tricky-looking trip to Ukraine on Wednesday night.
Ukraine were beaten 2-0 in Lithuania on Saturday - goals from Mantas Savenas and Tomas Danilevicius handing the home team victory.
The drama in Glasgow was replicated in Tel Aviv as Russia's chances of qualifying for the finals fromm Group E were handed a huge blow.
Guus Hiddink's side knew a win would all but put them through with a relatively easy final fixture to come, away to minnows Andorra.
But it was not to be as Israel prevailed thanks to goals from Elyaniv Barda and Omer Golan, the latter coming in injury-time and just seconds after the visitors had struck the post.
Earlier Russia had cancelled out Barda's opener through a Diniyar Bilyaletdinov effort.
Russian despair was in stark contrast to English joy, however, with under-fire coach Steve McClaren now knowing a point against Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday night will be enough for his side.
England can even snatch top spot with a two-goal win following Croatia's 2-0 defeat to FYR Macedonia, achieved thanks to goals from Goran Maznov and Ilco Naumoski.
Andorra slumped to their 11th defeat in 11 pool matches after going down 2-0 at home to Estonia - Andres Oper and Joel Lindpere getting the goals.
Holland joined Romania in qualifying from Group G although they were less than impressive in beating Luxembourg 1-0 in Rotterdam.
Danny Koevermans scored the only goal two minutes before half-time.
Romania, who had already made sure of their progression, lost 1-0 to a Velizar Dimitrov goal in Bulgaria while Maxim Romashchenko and Vitaly Kutuzov both scored twice as Belarus won 4-2 in Albania.
Spain went through after beating Sweden 3-0 in Madrid with Joan Capdevila, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos supplying the goals.
Sweden will join them if they get a point at home to Latvia on Wednesday.
Northern Ireland still have a mathematical chance of catching the Scandinavians, however, after a stirring comeback saw them eliminate Denmark with a 2-1 win in Belfast.
Nicklas Bendtner put the visitors ahead but goals from Warren Feeney and David Healy turned the game around.
Nigel Worthington's side must win against Spain in midweek and hope Sweden lose at home to Latvia for them to progress.
Latvia beat Liechtenstein 4-1 on Saturday.
Poland booked their place in the finals with a 2-0 victory over Belgium.
Poland went into the match knowing that a win would guarantee their qualification from Group A, and after Ebi Smolarek scored either side of half-time their passage never looked in doubt.
Finland and Portugal both won on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of joining the Poles in going through.
The Finns beat Azerbaijan 2-1 while Portugal overcame Armenia 1-0.
Finland fell behind to Makhmud Gurbanov's effort in the second half but Mikael Forssell and Shefki Kuqi struck late to secure the points.
A goals from Hugo Almeida handed Portugal a win which means Luiz Felipe Scolari's men need just a point at home to Finland on Wednesday to go through.
Serbia's home game with Kazakhstan was postponed due to snow and will now be played on Sunday.
Turkey came from a goal down to beat Norway and move above the Scandinavians in the hunt for the second qualifying position in Group C.
Norway went ahead early on following a stunning overhead effort from defender Erik Hagen, but Turkey came back into the game when Emre Belozoglu equalised on the half-hour mark.
The visitors sealed the win when Nihat Kahveci struck on 59 minutes to leave the Turks favourites to join European champions Greece as qualifiers from the pool.
Greece strolled past Malta 5-0 with Theofanis Gekas grabbing a hat-trick to add to goals from Angelos Basinas and Ioannis Amanatidis.
Moldova ended their campaign with a 3-0 win against Hungary.
The qualifiers from Group D had already been determined before Saturday but Germany and Czech Republic confirmed their superiority with convincing wins.
Clemens Fritz, Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and Thomas Hitzlsperger all scored as the Germans beat Cyprus 4-0 while Tomas Rosicky was on the scoresheet as the Czechs saw off Slovakia 3-1.
Wales and the Republic of Ireland drew 2-2 in Cardiff.
