Ten teams have now qualified for the 2014 Brazil World Cup after the midweek round of qualifying matches in Europe and North America.
Hosts Brazil top the list. After Tuesday’s round of matches, Netherlands, Italy, United States, Argentina and Costa Rica, join Japan, Australia, Iran and South Korea, which had earlier made it into the group stage of the soccer showpiece.
Manchester United striker Robin van Persie scored a brace for coach Luis van Gaal’s Netherland in their victory over Andorra to confirm their Brazil ticket.
The manager said after the match that he wants his team to make an impression at the next year’s World Cup stressing that his team had deserved the early qualification.
“We have done the job,” Van Gaal said. “We could not have qualified quicker for the World Cup than we did.
“In Brazil we want to achieve. It’s a once-in-a-life-time experience. At a tournament like the World Cup, being the national coach is an exceptional job.”
Italy became the second European nation to book a slot for the 2014 Brazil World Cup.
The Italians just needed to beat Czech Republic to qualify, and goals from Giorgio Chiellini and Mario Balotelli overturned an early Libor Kozak strike.
USA defeated a struggling Mexico side 2-0 at the Crewe Stadium in Ohio, while Costa Rica drew with Jamaica in Kingston. Both North American teams are through to the Brazil World Cup.
2014 World Cup Qualifying Match Results.
Europe.
Wales 0 vs. Serbia 3
Macedonia 1 vs. Scotland 2
Italy 2 vs. Czech Republic 1
Malta 1 vs. Bulgaria 2
Armenia 0 vs. Denmark 1
Faroe Island 0 vs. Germany 3
Kazakhstan 0 vs. Sweden 1
Austria 1 vs. Republic of Ireland 0
Andorra 0 vs. Holland 2
Romania 0 vs. Turkey 2
Hungary 5 vs. Estonia 1
Norway 0 vs. Switzerland 2
Iceland 2 vs. Albania 1
Cyprus 1 vs. Slovenia 0
Russia 3 vs. Israel 1
Luxembourg 3 vs. Northern Ireland 2
Slovakia 1 vs. Bosnia 2
Greece 1 vs. Latvia 0
Ukraine 0 vs. England 0
San Marino 1 vs. Poland 5
Belarus 2 vs. France 4
Georgia 0 vs. Finland 1
Lithuania 2 vs. Lichtenstein 0
CONCACAF Results.
Jamaica 1 vs. Costa Rica 1
United States 2 vs. Mexico 0
Honduras 2 vs. Panama 2
South America.
Argentina 5 vs. Paraguay 2
