Scots pressure

Macedonia are now third with seven points from six matches, level with Scotland who have a game in hand and a superior goal difference.

But the Norwegians, who needed a win to draw within a point of Scotland, are now rooted to the bottom of the group with three points from five matches while Iceland are fourth with four points from seven games.

In Skopje goals from Aco Stojkov and his substitute Filip Ivanovski gave Macedonia a comfortable home victory, keeping the Balkan country in contention for a place in South Africa.

Midfielder Stojkov fired the Macedonians into an early lead with a neat header after a surging run and cross by Filip Despotovski.

Ilco Naumoski missed two good chances for Macedonia before Ivanovski, who came on for Stojkov shortly after the hour, sealed their win in the 85th minute with a close range effort.

In Rotterdam Andre Ooijer and Arjen Robben scored to earn the Netherlands a 2-0 home victory over Norway.

The Netherlands, who booked their place in next year's finals on Saturday, went close to opening the scoring in the first minute and had to wait till the 33rd before Ooijer nodded in a free kick from Rafael van der Vaart.

Norway's only chance came just after halftime but Maarten Stekelenburg saved a shot from Morten Gamst Pedersen and a minute later Robben settled the match with a tight angled shot after good work from Van der Vaart and Robin van Persie.

Europe's nine groups winners qualify automatically for the World Cup while the eight best runners-up meet in a two-leg play-off for another four berths.