The second wave of European World Cup qualifiers took place on Saturday night, including former world champions Italy and Spain.

To Group D first, where the Republic of Ireland took control of the pool with a deserved 1-0 win against Austria (more of which you can read about here and here).  James McClean scored the only goal of the game with a well-taken effort three minutes into the second half.

Wales, meanwhile were looking to bounce back from their 1-1 draw against Georgia with a home game against Serbia. Gareth Bale had the hosts ahead on the half-hour mark, but Chris Coleman’s side had to settle for a 1-1 draw as Aleksandar Mitrovic equalised late on.

In the group’s other game, Moldova secured a surprise 1-1 draw at Georgia. Valeri Kaziashvilli had the hosts ahead within the first twenty minutes, but they were pegged back by Aleksandru Gatcan late into the second half.

#WCQ GROUP D STANDINGS (Europe)
Austria 0-1 Republic of Ireland
Georgia 1-1 Moldova
Wales 1-1 Serbia pic.twitter.com/Uki5tCQJ2X

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 12, 2016

To Group G next, where Spain were looking to maintain their strong start with a home tie against Macedonia. Darko Velkovski scored Spain’s goal for them when he put through his own net ten minutes before half time, with further goals from Vitolo, Artiz Aduriz and Nacho Monreal gave the home side a comfortable 4-0 win.

Italy, meanwhile, ensured that they stayed neck-and-neck with Spain with a 4-0 win of their own, away to Liechtenstein. Andrea Belotti opened and closed the scoring, with Ciro Immobile and Antonio Candreva netting in between, with all four goals coming in the first half.

Israel remain just one point behind the leaders as they ran out 3-0 winners against nine-man Albania, Erin Zahavi, Daniel Einbinder and Eliran Atar doing the necessary damage.

#WCQ GROUP G STANDINGS (Europe)
Albania 0-3 Israel
Liechtenstein 0-4 Italy
Spain 4-0 FYR Macedonia pic.twitter.com/TficD9ahjd

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 12, 2016

Finally, to Group J, as Croatia stayed on top of the pile with a 2-0 win at home to Iceland. Marcelo Brozovic opened the scoring after fifteen minutes, before the Inter midfielder made sure of the win with a second in injury time.

Ukraine move to second place with a 1-0 win against Finland. Artem Kravets scored the only goal of the game midway through the first half to see the home side leapfrog Iceland.

Turkey claimed their first win of the campaign with a 2-0 win at home to Kosovo. Burak Yilmaz and  Volkan Sen sealed the win within ten minutes of the restart to bring Fatih Terim’s side into contention for the playoffs.

#WCQ GROUP I STANDINGS (Europe)
Croatia 2-0 Iceland
Turkey 2-0 Kosovo
Ukraine 1-0 Finland pic.twitter.com/kmLYIJykEJ

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 12, 2016

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