Hamburg  - England, the Netherlands and Spain maintained their 100-per-cent records Wednesday to stay well on course for places at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Spain had to come from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 in their Group 5 match, while John Terry scored a late winner for England in their Group 6 game against Ukraine. In Amsterdam, the Netherlands comfortably beat Macedonia 4-0.

There were good wins for Germany (2-0 in Wales), Greece (2-1 against Denmark) and Slovakia (2-1 in the Czech Republic). The widest win of the night belonged to Poland, who trounced San Marino 10-0.

In Istanbul, Liverpool midfielder Albert Riera hit the winning goal two minutes into injury-time, silencing the crowd in Galatasaray's packed Ali Sami Yen stadium.

"That was a really important goal," he said, "because it gives us a crucial win."

Turkey went ahead in the 27th minute, but Alonso made it 1-1 from the spot in the 65th minute after Ibrahim Uzulmez had clearly handled a goalbound Fernando Torres header.

The win sees Spain on 18 points from their six games, while Bosnia-Herzegovina, who beat Belgium 2-1 on the night, are second with 12. The other Group 5 game saw Estonia beat Armenia 1-0.

England took a major step toward the finals through Terry's 85th- minute winner. Andrey Shevchenko had earlier equalized Peter Crouch's opening goal for England.

"I think we deserved it," said Terry.

"We were disappointed to concede a goal late on. But we showed great character to come back, so there were some real positives. There was great fight and great desire from the boys. We're in a great position in the group."

England lead Croatia, who beat Andorra 2-0, by five points, each having played half their qualifying games. The other group game saw Belarus travel to Kazakhstan for a 5-1 victory.

The only other team with maximum points, the Dutch, had no problem overcoming Macedonia 4-0 in Group 9, while Scotland are second after beating Iceland 2-1.

Former Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni scored a respectable 1-1 with his Irish side against a 10-man Italian team in Bari in a Group 8 game.

The world champions had Giampaolo Pazzini sent off after three minutes but went ahead in the 10th through Vincenzo Iaquinta. Irish captain Robbie Keane equalized shortly before the end.

Ireland defender Richard Dunne said that they were disappointed not to have come away with the win.

"Sometimes that is how it goes," he said. "But we did play against one of the best teams in the world, and we have to be satisfied with that."

Trapattoni called it "a greatly emotional game, as I am Italian."

"But I am proud to come here with the Irish team," he said, "and it was important to show to all that Ireland is a good team."

Italy top the group with 14 points, while Ireland are second with 12. Bulgaria, who beat Cyprus 2-0, are third with seven points. The other game in the group between Georgia and Montenegro ended in a goalless draw.

In Group 1, Hungary and Denmark managed to put some distance between themselves and the chasing Portuguese and Swedes with 3-0 victories.

The Danes, who beat Albania, top the group with 13, while Hungary have the same number of points after their win against Malta, but have played a game more.

Greece and Switzerland continued their neck and neck race in Group 2. Both have 13 points from six games. Greece beat Israel 2-1 on the night, while Switzerland overcame Moldova 2-0. Latvia, who beat Luxembourg 2-0, are three points behind.

Euzebiusz Smolarek scored four for Poland as they thrashed San Marino 10-0 in Group 3, where Slovakia achieved a stunning 2-1 victory in the Czech Republic.

Slovakia are second in the group with 12 points from five matches, one point behind Northern Ireland, who have played two games more and beat Slovenia 1-0 on the night. Poland are third with 10 points from their six games.

Germany and Russia are first and second in Group 4.

Germany scored a 2-0 victory over Wales in Cardiff, while Russia won 1-0 in Liechtenstein.

Michael Ballack blasted an opening goal for Germany in the 11th minute, and Wales defender Ashley Williams diverted the ball into his net three minutes after the break. It completed the double over Wales and kept Joachim Loew's side four points clear of Russia, who were 1- 0 winners in Liechtenstein on the night.

Germany had beaten Liechtenstein 4-0 Saturday in Leipzig.

"Our aim was to get six points from these two games, and we achieved that," Loew said.

"I expected Wales to show some reaction after their defeat to Finland, and it was important here in an away game to win on the way to 2010."

Franck Ribery scored the winner for France in the 75th minute against Lithuania to keep Les Bleus in the hunt for a place in the finals.

France are second in Group 7, two points behind Serbia. Both have played five games. Austria are fourth after beating Romania 2-1. (dpa)