Holland made three wins from three thanks to a 1-0 win over Norway in Oslo and Bert van Marwijk's Oranje now hold a five-point cushion over nearest challengers Scotland.

Mark van Bommel scored the only goal after 64 minutes with a well-struck volley.

Other winners include world champion and Group eight leaders Italy, who held off a strong challenge from Montenegro with a 2-1 win thanks to Alberto Aquilani's double.

Germany also labored to beat Wales 1-0 by a long-range strike from Piotr Trochowski and are still comfortable Group Four leaders with a four point edge over Wales and Russia, who thumped Finland 3-0 in Moscow with the help of two own-goals from the visitors.

David Villa reacts after his goal, during the World Cup group 5 qualifying soccer match against Belgium on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. Spain won 2-1. [Sina.com]

Greece's winning streak was stopped after a 2-1 loss at home to Switzerland but they still top Group Two, one point ahead of Israel and two ahead of Switzerland.

Serbia and Lithuania head Group Seven on nine points after both sides picked up their third qualifying wins.

Serbia produced a devastating first-half spell to claim a 3-1 victory in Austria, while a Tomas Danilevicius goal gave Lithuania a rather more low-key 1-0 success at home to the Faroe Islands.

Austria, France and Romania are all on four points but the latter two still have a game in hand.

In Group three, a second-half goal from Libor Sionko gave the first win to Czech Republic, who edged past Slovenia 1-0 in Teplice.

The Czechs sit fourth in the group, five behind surprise leaders Slovakia, who upset Poland 2-1 with two late goals from Stanislav Sestak.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2008)