Four complete passage to Portugal

There are six automatic places in Portugal to play for on next month's final day of UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying after four group winners were confirmed last night. France, Bulgaria and Sweden all won through, while the most impressive performance came from the Czech Republic, who beat the Netherlands 3-1 to book their place.

Poborský heroic
The Czech hero was Karel Poborský, who won a penalty to put his side ahead before scoring himself. His delighted coach Karel Brückner, who was hoisted on to the players' shoulders after the match, toasted the midfield player. "It was unbelievable how much running he managed," he said.

Perfect record intact
France beat Slovenia 2-0 in Group 1 and remained the only side with a 100 per cent qualification record, to the relief of Jacques Santini. "That was our toughest qualifier and the defenders did their job really well," the French coach said. Slovenia finished second after Israel drew 2-2 with Malta.

Söderberg delight
Sweden beat Group 4 rivals Poland 2-0 to end Latvia's chances of pipping them to top spot. Sweden co-coach Tommy Söderberg said: "This group of players are at their best on the big occasions." Latvia need to beat Sweden to claim second place, though Hungary and Poland could still overtake them.

Bulgaria boost
The situation is also tense in Group 8, which Bulgaria won with a 3-0 away success in Andorra. The race for the play-offs is tight as Belgium's 2-1 victory against ten-man Croatia brought the two nations level. Belgium need to beat Estonia and hope Bulgaria can hold Croatia in the final game. Belgium coach Aimé Anthuenis said: "We do not have a world-class team so have to compensate with hard work."

All to play for
Group 2 remains the most open, with four teams capable of finishing in the top two. Denmark retain first place but needed a 95th-minute equaliser from Martin Laursen against Romania, but both teams could yet be caught - with Bosnia-Herzegovina needing a win to top the section. Denmark coach Morten Olsen said: "If you do not dare to play football you should stay in the changing rooms - too many of our players did not dare to play football."

Russia warning
The Republic of Ireland did not play in Group 10 but know they need to beat Switzerland in the remaining game to make the play-offs at least. Russia brushed aside the Swiss 4-1 and need to beat Georgia to be sure of at least a play-off place. "It would be stupid to lose points against Georgia," warned coach Georgi Yartsev.

England in pole
England needed two second-half goals from Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney to see off a stubborn Liechtenstein side at Old Trafford, and must avoid defeat in Turkey to win Group 7. England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson said: "People talk about Turkey but we had to beat Liechtenstein first. We were very professional."

Valerón celebrates
Spain are certain of at least a place in the play-offs after beating Ukraine 2-1, much to the relief of Juan Carlos Valerón: "We are happy to continue celebrating victories with our fans," he said. Elsewhere, Italy need a home win against Azerbaijan to pip Wales to first place in Group 9 despite conceding a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Serbia and Montenegro. "I believe we will win against them," said coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

Germany on top
Germany eased the pressure on coach Rudi Völler with a battling 2-1 win against Scotland and lead Group 5. They need only a draw with Iceland to secure qualification, to the relief of Völler. "We had a point to prove after the hammering we took from the press after the Iceland match and I think the lads lived up to the challenge." Qualifying concludes on 11 October.