Inspired Spain sink Turkey as 10-man Italy foiled

By Justin Palmer

LONDON (Reuters) - Winger Albert Riera struck a stoppage-time winner for European champions Spain who came from behind to win 2-1 in Turkey and maintain their 100 percent record in 2010 World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday. Spain, the world's top-ranked side in the FIFA rankings, made it six wins from six in Group Five and can almost certainly start planning for next year's finals in South Africa.

England continue to banish memories of their failed Euro 2008 qualifying campaign with defender John Terry hooking in the winner five minutes from time as Group Six rivals Ukraine were beaten 2-1 at Wembley.

The Netherlands, like England, also extended their perfect record in Group Nine with Dirk Kuyt scoring twice in a 4-0 demolition of Macedonia.

Europe's other heavyweights flexed their muscles with differing performances and results.

World champions Italy, a man down for almost the entire game in Bari after striker Giampaolo Pazzini's early red card, were foiled by a late Robbie Keane equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Ireland in Group Eight.

Group Four leaders Germany eased to a 2-0 win over Wales in Cardiff while France scraped a 1-0 win over Lithuania in Paris.

Spain extended their remarkable unbeaten run to 31 games stretching back to November 2006 but were again forced to display their resilience after Samih Senturk, who scored three goals in Turkey's run to the semi-finals of Euro 2008, had fired the hosts ahead at a raucous Ali Sami Yen stadium in Istanbul.

Turkey, who lost 1-0 to Spain in Madrid on Saturday, took the lead against the run of play after 26 minutes. Tuncay Sanli got to Ara Turan's teasing cross into the danger zone before Iker Cassilas and with the Spain keeper out of position, an off-balance Tuncay was able to square for Semih to slot in.