Scotland and Ukraine hit form

Scotland 1-0 South Africa
Substitute Kris Boyd's second-half strike proved the difference between the two sides as Alex McLeish's men edged a narrow win at Pittodrie. South Africa failed to convert first-half domination into goals and were punished by Rangers FC striker Boyd on 71 minutes who finished after being put through by captain Darren Fletcher. The win will be a huge boost to morale to Scotland who are third in Group B, a point behind Italy and three behind leaders France.

Ukraine 2-1 Uzbekistan
Ukraine, who are three points behind Scotland in Group B, also managed a narrow victory after Olexandr Gladkiy and Ruslan Rotan were on target at the Valery Lobanovsky Stadium in Kiev. With Andriy Voronin and Andriy Shevchenko included in the starting lineup the hosts dominated the first half before taking the lead on the half-hour mark when Gladkiy met Serhiy Nazarenko's accurate right-wing cross. Rotan doubled the scoring midway through the second half with a low shot following a Nezarenko corner. The visitors pulled a goal back when Aleksander Geynrikh surprised Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov with a last-minute free-kick.

Lithuania 2-1 Turkmenistan
Lithuania, who sit nine points off second place in Group B, were also winners as Tomas Danilevičius struck either side of half-time to earn the Baltic nation a home win in Kaunas in their first meeting with the Asian visitors. The Lithuania captain's first came four minutes before the interval with a low drive from 18 metres and his second saw him finish off some strong attacking play two minutes after the restart. Turkmenistan soon missed a penalty through Muslim Agayev but Artem Nikitenko was able to earn a late consolation.

Luxembourg 0-0 Georgia
Georgia, who lie a point behind Lithuania having played a game more, passed up chances to earn a win ahead of Ukraine's visit on 8 September – the same day Luxembourg meet Slovenia in Group G as they hunt their first point in qualifying. David Kvirkvelia and Alexandr Iashvili hit the bar and the post respectively for the visitors in the first half while Luxembourg custodian Jonathan Joubert saved a penalty from Iashvili on 34 minutes to ensure a clean sheet.

Sweden 1-0 United States
Sweden overcame the United States thanks to Kim Källström's solitary effort and the Group F leaders would have added more goals had it not been for the inspired goalkeeping of Tim Howard. The Olympique Lyonnais midfielder dribbled his way past Steve Cherundolo on 56 minutes before playing a one-two with Kennedy Bakircioglü just inside the area and driving a powerful left-footed strike past Howard. The Everton FC custodian had produced a string of impressive saves to keep the Swedes at bay - the best coming from striker Zlatan Ibrahimović who was denied from close range.

Denmark 0-4 Republic of Ireland
Denmark are eight points off the pace in Group F and this defeat will have done team morale no favours at all as Robbie Keane and Shane Long both scored twice in the Republic of Ireland's emphatic win in Aarhus. Although the hosts went close when Nicklas Bendtner hit the bar early on they fell behind against the run of play on 29 minutes when Keane lobbed goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen. Eleven minutes later it was 2-0 when Christiansen's punch rebounded off Keane and into the net. Substitute Long scored the third goal of the night (54) after Darron Gibson's shot was deflected into his path and the Reading FC striker then doubled his tally midway through the half.

Iceland 1-1 Canada
Iceland, sixth in Denmark's pool, warmed up for the visit of Spain on 8 September with a 1-1 draw against Canada in the first international fixture between the countries. Emil Hallfredsson and Gunnar Heidar Thorvaldsson both wasted early chances for the hosts, who had to wait until the 65th minute to break the deadlock as Thorvaldsson scored following super approach play from Baldur Adalsteinsson. The lead was to last just eight minutes as Oliver Occean touched in the loose ball after a powerful Paul Stalteri shot had been spilled.

Latvia 1-2 Moldova
Aleksandrs Starkovs' side were defeated for the seventh match in a row but did end their 607-minute wait for a goal. Moldova opened the scoring on 23 minutes when Viorel Frunza headed in from a Denis Zmeu cross. The hosts, who are bottom of Group F, equalised before the break as captain Vitalijs Astafjevs provided a precise header to convert Andrejs Rubins' corner. Moldova had the last word as midfielder Vitalie Bordian headed in and Latvia goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko had to make three great saves to keep the deficit at one goal.