Michael Krohn-Dehli and Nicklas Bendtner struck the decisive goals for the hosts to earn them automatic entry, despite a superb free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo in stoppage time.

Norway's 3-1 win over Cyprus did little to alter the complexion of the group as they had to settle for third, on goal difference, behind Portugal.

Sweden spoiled Group E leaders' the Netherlands unblemished qualifying with a 3-2 win as Hungary had to settle for third in the group.

Two goals in the space of a minute in the second half from Ola Toivonen and Sebastian Larsson cancelled out Dirk Kuyt's goal that had put the Netherlands ahead 2-1, as Sweden booked their playoff spot to finish second in the group.

Hungary needed a needed a huge win to leap-frog Sweden but could only manage a 0-0 draw with Finland, as Moldova easily accounted for San Marino 4-0 in the other game.

A Samir Nasri penalty earned France a vital 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina to see them top Group D and consign their opponents to a playoff spot

Albania and Romania drew 1-1 in the group's other fixture.

The Republic of Ireland secured a 2-1 win over Armenia in Group B to secure the playoff spot, while leaders Russia destroyed Andorra 6-0.

Valeri Aleksanyan put the ball into his own net to give Ireland the lead on 43 minutes before Richard Dunne gave the hosts some breathing space 16 minutes later with a second.

Despite playing with ten men, Henrikh Mkhitarian scored for Armenia just three minutes later and Ireland forward Kevin Doyle was dismissed for a second bookable offence late on.

Russia cruised to a resounding victory in Moscow and made sure of top spot in the group with Alan Dzagoev scoring twice in the 6-0 rout over Andorra, while Macedonia and Slovakia shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

The Czech Republic pinched the playoff spot from Scotland in Group I with a 4-1 win over Lithuania after Scotland were denied 3-1 by world champions Spain.

Two goals from Jan Rezek eased the Czech Republic to second in the group, while a David Silva brace upheld Spain's flawless record in qualifying as Scotland were left empty handed yet again.

Turkey claimed the playoff spot in Group A, with Burak Yilmaz's goal on the hour enough to see them finish second after Belgium lost 3-1 to Germany.

Only a win against Azerbaijan would be enough for Turkey, who were behind Belgium by a point with an inferior goal difference. They looked nervy in Istanbul before breaking the deadlock through Trabzonspor forward Yilmaz.

Kazakhstan endured a goalless draw at home to Austria, who had the better of the chances in a match that had no bearing on qualification.

Greece and Croatia both won to finish first and second respectively in the already decided Group F.

A slip up from Greece could have handed Croatia top spot, and they nearly got it as Georgia scored first through David Targamadze in the 19th minute.

It took a second-half salvage job from Greece, with Giorgos Fotakis and Angelos Charisteas scoring in the last 11 minutes to seal a memorable 2-1 win.

The result propelled them two points clear of Croatia, who had to settle for the playoff spot despite winning 2-0. Israel also won 2-0 away to Malta in the group's other match.

Italy had no problems taking care of Northern Ireland 3-0 and finish top of Group C as Serbia failed take their chance to finish second in the group in a 1-1 draw with Slovenia.

That saw Estonia take the playoff spot in the group, with Dare Vrsic's goal on half-time enough to hold off Serbia.

Montenegro, who had already secured the playoff berth in Group G behind England, lost out to third-placed Switzerland 2-0, while Gareth Bale's lone goal gave Wales back-to-back wins over Bulgaria.

The playoffs will be played on November 11 or 12, with the return legs on November 15.