World Cup champions Italy eye finals, Portugal cling on

PARIS (AFP) - Two bizarre own goals allowed defending champions Italy to edge closer to the World Cup finals on Saturday, but Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal were left clinging for survival.Italy saw off Georgia 2-0 in Tbilisi to stay a point ahead of the Republic of Ireland in Group Eight thanks to a pair of own-goals from AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze. The Irish defeated Cyprus 2-1 in Nicosia thanks to a late strike from Robbie Keane.Italy coach Marcello Lippi claimed his team deserved their luck."Georgia sparkled at the beginning but we controlled them very well. Then in the second half we deserved the luck we had with the goals," he said."Tonight there were two (own goals) because they were caused by attacking play. It was quite lucky but that happens when you often attack your opponents' goal."Portugal, who were semi-finalists in 2006, still face shock elimination despite Brazilian-born striker Leidson marking his debut with a headed equaliser three minutes from time against Denmark in Copenhagen.Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner had volleyed Group One leaders Denmark ahead in the first half.The result may still not be enough to ensure Portugal, coached by former Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz, make the 2010 finals in South Africa.They have slumped to fourth place, seven points behind Denmark, three behind Hungary and two back from Sweden who won 2-1 against the Hungarians in Budapest.All four have three games left to play.Sweden were indebted to a winner by Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in injury-time for their 2-1 win in Hungary.Russia and Scotland kept their World Cup hopes on track.Russia edged minnows Liechtenstein 3-0 in St Petersburg in Group Four to move just a point behind leaders Germany, who they meet in Moscow on October 10.CSKA Moscow defender Vasily Berezutsky and Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, with two penalties, made sure of the three points for Guus Hiddink's team.Veteran striker Jari Litmanen came off the bench to grab a late winner to give Finland a 2-1 win in Azerbaijan to keep up his team's hopes of grabbing second spot in the group.In Glasgow, Scotland grabbed a 2-0 win over Macedonia courtesy of Scott Brown's first international goal and a superb solo effort from James McFadden.Macedonia had looked the better team in the first-half but a magnificent second-half showing sealed the three points for Scotland, who now need to beat the Netherlands on Wednesday to secure second place in Group Nine.The Dutch have already qualified for the finals with a perfect 21 points from seven matches, leaving their rivals to scramble over the runners-up spot and a possible place in the play-offs."We always had the belief we could win the match. The players showed the commitment, passion and belief that was needed," said Scotland boss George Burley."We've come off the park with a lot of smiling faces. It was a good feeling and we want that feeling again on Wednesday night."In Group Five, Bosnia defeated Armenia 2-0 in Yerevan to stay second behind European champions Spain who were facing Belgium later Saturday. Bosnia now have 15 points from seven matches while Spain have a perfect 18 points from six.Turkey, World Cup semi-finalists in 2002, stay third after a 4-2 home win over Estonia.In Kiev, Ukraine needed three penalties to see off little Andorra 5-0 to stay in contention for the runners-up spot in Group Six where England are virtually assured of making the finals having won all of their seven matches.Croatia stay second thanks to a 1-0 home win over Belarus.The Croatians go to England on Wednesday where Fabio Capello's home side can secure qualification with victory.Switzerland went top of Group Two with a 2-0 home win over Greece.Slovakia and the Czech Republic drew 2-2 in Bratislava top leave the home side on top of Group Three.Former Liverpool striker Milan Baros scored six minutes from time to keep the Czechs' slender hopes of a play-off place alive.France, the 1998 world champions and runners-up in 2006, welcome Romania to Paris.The French are second in Group Seven, five points behind Serbia but with a game in hand ahead of a testing trip to Belgrade on Wednesday.Only Europe's nine group winners are assured of places in the finals; the eight best runners-up have to play-off.

Source: Eurosport