World champion Spain and Italy completed the formalities of qualification for Euro 2012 Tuesday, Netherlands is as good as through and England is in a commanding position to secure a place in next year's finals. Alvaro Negredo and David Villa both scored twice in a 6-0 rout of Liechtenstein to leave Spain, which will defend it European title next year, eight points clear of Czech Republic in Group I with two games remaining. Italy was made to sweat in Florence but a late goal by Giampaolo Pazzini earned a 1-0 victory over Slovenia which guaranteed top spot in Group C with two games to spare. Germany qualified Friday, meaning five of the 16 teams for next year's tournament are known including co-hosts Poland and Ukraine. Netherlands beat Finland 2-0 but despite winning all eight of its qualifiers it still needs a point at home to Moldova next month before it can firm up travel arrangements as Sweden is six points behind with two matches left. Kevin Strootman and Luuk de Jong were on target for the world's top-ranked nation while Sweden breezed past San Marino 5-0 with Christian Wilhelmsson netting twice. England, which failed to qualify for the 2008 Finals in Austria and Switzerland, beat Wales 1-0 at Wembley to move six points clear of Montenegro in Group G. Coach Fabio Capello will not be taking anything for granted though as defeat in Montenegro next month could leave the door ajar for the Balkan nation to steal first place. Ashley Young's 35th-minute goal sealed victory for England although Wales should have equalized late on when Robert Earnshaw squandered a golden chance from close range. Italy's win meant second-placed Serbia faces a battle with Estonia to claim the runners-up spot. Serbia beat Faroe Islands 3-1 while Estonia thrashed Northern Ireland 4-1. France, which was also 2010 World Cup flops, edged closer to the Finals with a 0-0 draw in Romania in Group D although it still have work to do after Bosnia pulled within a point of Laurent Blanc's side with a 1-0 win over Belarus. Top spot is likely to be decided in the final game between France and Bosnia in Paris next month. The shock of the night came in Group B in Zilina where Slovakia was beaten 4-0 at home by Armenia which has given itself an outside chance of qualifying. Victory would have put Slovakia level on points with group leaders Russia, which drew 0-0 at home to second-placed Ireland, but instead it dropped to fourth. All the nine group winners qualify automatically plus the runner-up with the best record. The other eight runners-up playoff for the four remaining spots.
