The Spain and Netherlands two World Cup finalists kept their records of 100% in Euro 2012 qualifying Tuesday, although no nation respectively had things in their own way against the Hungary and the Lithuania.
World and European champions Spain knew that their group I qualifier against Lithuania in Kaunas would come shortly before the launch, with the referee from the pitch fit to play despite Spanish protests that it was appropriate for international football.
But despite the conditions, Spain took the lead through Xavi Hernandez, only for Marius Stankevicius, who plays for Spanish club Valencia, at the level of the questions with a sensational strike from outside the area.
However, Defender Tadas Kijanskas put through his own net while under pressure from Fernando Llorente to give the Spain once again, the lead and another player of Valencia, Juan Manuel Mata, so 3-1 for the visitors after finishing with a move that runs with seven minutes from the end.
The result gives Spain 15 points of their five matches with the Czech Republic, who defeated the Liechtenstein 2-0 clear in the second on nine points. During this time, Netherlands fighting Hungary 5-3 in a thriller of group to continue to qualify for the final. The Dutch beat Hungary 4-0 when the teams met on Saturday, but this proved another proposal on a night of drama in Amsterdam.
Robin van Persie gave the hosts the lead, but Gergely Rudolf attracts half, the visitors level at the beginning of the following before Zoltan Gera gives Hungary lead with a volley of sharp.But Wesley Sneijder has attracted Dutch level on the hour mark and Ruud van Nistelrooy was 3-2 to 18 minutes.
Yet the scoring was not been completed but and Gera the second of the match just three minutes later considered sufficient to make a point of Hungary.However, the scorer of Liverpool Dirk Kuyt scored twice in three minutes to seal the win for the Netherlands to give them a maximum of 18 points from their six matches.
Sweden lie second in the group after a win at home 2-1 in Moldova, while the Hungary are third, level on nine points with the Swedes having played two games more. Elsewhere, Belgium closed within five points of group a leaders (Germany) by beating Azerbaijan 4-1 in Brussels. Guus Hiddink Turkey beats Austria 2-0 and are now a point behind the Belgians to third place with a game in hand.