Another late goal sees Argentina into World Cup

Diego Maradona's Argentina progressed to next summer's World Cup in South Africa as substitute Mario Bolatti hit a later winner to end Uruguay's hopes of snatching the final automatic qualification berth in the South American zone.

Bolatti fired home with six minutes remaining after the home defence failed to deal with Juan Sebastian Veron's effort from a free-kick.

Uruguay ended the night with 10 men after Martin Caceres picked up a second yellow card in the build up to Argentina's winner.

Maradona has come in for fierce criticism for his disjointed handling of Argentina's qualification campaign, which as seen him call up more than 70 players, but victory in Montevideo should silence his critics - until next summer at least.

Uruguay, meanwhile, now need to prevail in a play-off against Costa Rica if they are to join Argentina in the finals.

At the start of play, Ecuador also had a chance of claiming either the final automatic qualifying berth or the play-off spot, but a 1-0 loss to Chile ended their hopes.

Honduras made it to the World Cup for the first time since 1982 with a 1-0 victory over El Salvador.

Carlos Pavon scored the winner in the 63rd minute to ensure Honduras claimed the third and final automatic qualification berth in the North, Central America and Caribbean zone, although they needed a helping hand from their rivals.

The Hondurans needed a win and for Costa Rica to lose or draw in their match against the United States.

Costa Rica appeared to have done enough as they led 2-1 against the States but Jonathan Bornstein popped up with an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time to condemn Costa Rica to the play-offs.

In the European zone, Slovakia relied on a Seweryn Gancarczyk own goal after three minutes to beat Poland, while the Swiss played out a goalless draw with 10-man Israel.

For Slovakia it meant they qualified for the finals for the first time as an independent nation, as they topped a fiercely-competitive Group Three.

Slovenia claimed second in the group, and a play-off place, after they overcome San Marino 3-0 to dash the slim hopes of Czech Republic and Northern Ireland who could have leapfrogged them.

Croatia, ranked ninth in the world, were the highest-profile casualties as their qualification bid ultimately ended in failure despite a 2-1 win in Kazakhstan.

Slaven Bilic's side had needed Ukraine to slip up in Andorra, but that unlikely scenario never materialised as the eastern Europeans cantered into the play-offs with a 6-0 triumph.

Portugal's stuttering qualification campaign will continue into the play-offs after they defeated Malta 4-0 in Guimaraes.

The Portuguese had won just four of their nine qualifiers but headed into the game knowing a win would be enough to keep closest Group One rivals Sweden at bay in the race for second place.

They were swiftly on course to do that when Manchester United winger Nani netted after 13 minutes before Simao, Miguel Veloso and Edinho completed the rout.

Greece will join Portugal among the four seeded teams in the play-offs after they defeated Luxembourg 2-1 in Athens to clinch second place in Group Two.

Russia and France are the other two seeded teams, and they had already sewed up second place in their respective groups before last night's action.

The other four teams through to the play-offs are Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Ukraine and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Bosnia-Herzegovina last night lost 5-2 to Spain, who secured a perfect qualification record of 10 wins from 10 games.

The draw for the European play-off matches, which will be played next month, will be conducted by FIFA next Monday in Zurich.