Hamburg, Sep 6 (DPA) World champions Italy and Europe's title-holders Spain took major steps towards qualifying for next year's World Cup finals with victories, but France and Portugal have a fight on their hands after being held to draws Saturday.

A last-minute goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic meanwhile gave Sweden a 2-1 victory in Hungary to boost their hopes in a closely-fought Group 1 where leaders Denmark were pegged by a late Portugal equalizer.

In other groups Turkey kept their hopes alive with a 4-2 home win over Estonia, Latvia boosted their chances with a 1-0 win in Israel and there were important wins for Russia and Scotland among others.

France were jeered of the pitch at the Stade de France after being held 1-1 by visiting Romania. It leaves Raymond Domenech's side four points adrift of Serbia in Group 7, where Austria kept their outside hopes alive with a 3-1 defeat of the Faroe Islands.

Thierry Henry put France ahead shortly after the break only for Julien Escude to put through his own net shortly afterwards.

France now visit Serbia Wednesday in a match they cannot afford to lose.

Spain brushed Belgium aside with a 5-0 win in Group 5, David Villa and David Silva scoring a brace each and Gerard Pique also on target.

With a maximum 21 points from seven matches, Spain will seal qualification for next year's finals in South Africa if they beat Estonia Wednesday.

Bosnia-Herzegovina were 2-0 winners in Armenia to move to 15 points - six behind Spain - while Turkey improved to 11 with a 4-2 win over Estonia and are now in a battle for a play-off place.

In Group 1, Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner put Denmark ahead against Portugal who managed to grab a point when Liedson levelled with four minutes remaining.

Barcelona's Ibrahimovic gave Sweden the points against Hungary with a 90th-minute goal after Szabolcs Huszti had cancelled out an early Olof Mellberg goal.

Denmark lead the group on 17 points, with Hungary on 13, Sweden on 12 and Portugal - who visit Hungary on Wednesday - on 10.

Group 8 leaders Italy downed Georgia 2-0 thanks to two own goals within 10 minutes from Kakhaber Kaladze, while unbeaten Bulgaria kept their hopes alive by downing Montenegro 4-1. Bulgaria move to 11 points, six behind Italy, with and five adrift of Ireland who defeat Cyprus 2-1 away thanks to a 73rd Robbie Keane winner.