Germany, Belgium, Switzerland reach World Cup

German midfielder Max Kruse (L) and Ireland's striker Kevin Doyle vie for the ball during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Group C qualifying football match Germany vs Republic of Ireland in Cologne, western Germany, October 11, 2013. (AFP/Patrik Stollarz)

Germany booked their place with a convincing 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in Cologne to move to 25 points in Group C.

Belgium beat Croatia 2-1 in Zagreb to top Group A and make the finals for the first time since 2002.

Switzerland, meanwhile, reached the finals for the third time after a 2-1 win over Albania in Tirana to assure them of top spot in Group E.

The three join Italy and Netherlands who had already made sure of qualification.

Goals by Real Madrid's Sami Khedira, Chelsea's Andre Schuerrle and Arsenal's Mesut Ozil confirmed Germany's place in Brazil.

Second-placed Sweden's 2-1 win at home to Austria left Germany five points clear ahead of their final qualifier against the Swedes in Stockholm on Tuesday.

"All in all, we've done well in qualifying. The team have done their duty with eight wins out of nine games," said Germany coach Joachim Loew.

On-loan Everton striker Romelu Lukaku scored the two first-half goals that took Belgium through.

Lukaku found the target in the 16th and 38th minutes with Niko Kranjcar hitting a late consolation for Croatia who must now hope to make the finals via the play-offs.

"Belgium can be very proud of this team. We are going to Brazil and will try and have a great tournament," said Belgium's Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini.

Second-half goals from Xherdan Shaqiri and Michael Lang gave Ottmar Hitzfeld's Switzerland victory in Tirana and an unassailable 21 points at the top of Group E.

It was a which left one famous Swiss fan over-joyed.

"Switzerland made it to the World Cup, how happy am I on a scale 1-10? About a 25. Great effort and congratulations," tweeted tennis ace Roger Federer.

Tottenham's Andros Townsend crowned his international debut with a fine goal as England beat Montenegro 4-1 to close in on an automatic place in Brazil.

Wayne Rooney broke the deadlock early in the second half and a calamitous own goal from Branko Boskovic doubled the hosts' lead, before Dejan Damjanovic replied for the visitors.

Townsend restored England's two-goal cushion with 11 minutes to play, however, driving home right-footed from 25 yards before an injury-time penalty from Daniel Sturridge completed the scoring.

England will approach their final game at home to Poland on Tuesday needing another win to secure a berth in Brazil.

They lead Group H by a point from Ukraine, who beat Poland 1-0 in Kharkiv.

Russia, coached by Fabio Capello, cruised to a 4-0 win in Luxembourg to open a four-point lead over Portugal in Group F.

Alexander Samedov, Viktor Faizukin, Denis Glushakov and Alexander Kerzhakov all scored to put Russia on 21 points.

Second-placed Portugal take on Israel later on Friday.

Bosnia-Herzegovina, who have never made a major finals, saw off whipping boys Liechtenstein 4-1 with Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko scoring twice.

They lead Group G on goal difference from Greece who edged Slovakia 1-0.

The Netherlands swamped Hungary 8-1 in Amsterdam with Robin van Persie grabbing a hat-trick.

The Dutch have 25 points from nine games.

Denmark's play-off hopes suffered a blow after a late equaliser by Alberto Aquilani helped Italy secure a 2-2 draw in Copenhagen that maintained their unbeaten record in Group B.

Italy, who qualified for Brazil with two games to spare, are on 21 points from nine games while Bulgaria, in second, and Denmark are both eight points adrift.

The Czech Republic sit in fourth, only one further point behind, meaning there is all to play for in the final round of qualifiers on Tuesday when Denmark host Malta and the Czechs visit Bulgaria.

Defending champions Spain are locked on 14 points with France in Group I.

They face Belarus in Mallorca where a win combined with a draw against Georgia next Tuesday will be enough for Vicente del Bosque's men.

The nine group winners qualify for the finals while the eight best runners-up will play off for the remaining four spots.