The Spanish, considered one of the game’s most powerful nations but with a poor World Cup history, will now face a play-off with European opponents to be determined in Friday’s draw.

Fernando Torres, who scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Belgium at the weekend, netted three while Sergio Ramos scored two after Antonio Lopez had got Luis Aragones’ side off to a flying start in the first minute.

Belgium ended their unsuccessful campaign with a 1-1 draw in Lithuania – Karel Geraerts put the Red Devils ahead but an own goal from Olivier Deschacht earned the Baltic side a point.

The Czech Republic booked themselves a play-off spot after they defeated Finland 3-0 in Helsinki with goals from Tomas Jun – a replacement for the injured Milan Baros – Tomas Rosicky and Marek Heinz.

Group winners Holland failed to end their successful qualification campaign in style as they were held to a goalless draw by FYR Macedonia in Amsterdam.

Armenia moved off the bottom of the group with a comfortable 3-0 win over Andorra.

Sweden qualified for the 2006 World Cup finals with a 3-1 victory at home to Iceland – a result which was enough to ensure they join group eight winners Croatia in Germany.

Kari Arnason gave Iceland the lead but Sweden hit back through Zlatan Ibrahimovic, former Celtic striker Henrik Larsson and Kim Kallstrom.

Croatia’s 0-0 draw in Hungary means Zlatko Kranjcar’s side go to Germany as group winners for their third consecutive appearance on the big stage.

Malta drew 1-1 with Bulgaria in a match with no qualification issues at stake.

Turkey won the three-way battle to claim second place in group two as their 1-0 victory over Albania earned them a play-off berth at the expense of group top scorers Denmark and European champions Greece.

Tumer Metin’s goal means Fatih Terim’s can now look forward to the draw for the play-offs.

The Danes beat Kazakhstan 2-1 in Almaty with goals from Michael Gravgaard and former Newcastle striker Jon Dahl Tomasson, before Aleksandr Kuchma replied four minutes from time.

With their rivals both drawing 0-0 at the time, Dimitrios Papadopoulos’ 17th-minute strike had put the Greeks in the driving seat for the play-off place.

But second-half turnarounds in the other games meant Greece could only finish a disappointing fourth in the group.

France won Group Four thanks to a 4-0 win over Cyprus, with Switzerland's 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland earning them a play-off place.

Israel, who were relying on France losing to Cyprus, never looked likely to go through, but Ireland did have a chance – they needed to beat Switzerland at Lansdowne Road.

For their part France never looked in danger of losing, with Zinedine Zidane, Sylvain Wiltord, Vikash Dhorasoo and Ludovic Giuly getting on the scoresheet.

Ireland threw everything they could at their opponents in the dying minutes but were playing against a Swiss side who seemed at times happy to sit back and try and catch Ireland on the break.

Switzerland will now sit back and wait for Friday’s draw with one of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey and Norway their opponents for one of three final European places in the World Cup.

Alberto Gilardino spared Italy’s blushes with a late winner as the Azzurri completed their World Cup Group Five qualifying campaign with a 2-1 defeat f Moldova in Lecce.

With qualification as pool winners already secured, the stalemate was eventually broken after 70 minutes, Christian Vieri breaking his 18-month goalscoring drought for the national side.

Alexandru Gatcan equalised five minutes later but substitute Gilardino struck after 85 minutes to hand Lippi’s men victory.

Norway were already guaranteed a play-off place and a second chance at advancing to Germany.

And the Scandinavians celebrated with a victory on Wednesday as Thorstein Helstad’s solitary goal was enough to see off Belarus in Minsk.

Scotland put the disappointment of Saturday’s defeat to Belarus behind them with a resounding 3-0 win in Slovenia.