Defending champion Italy was held to a 1-1 draw by Ireland on Wednesday in World Cup qualifying, and European champion Spain, England and the Netherlands maintained their perfect records. Robbie Keane scored from Caleb Folan's header in the 89th minute to salvage a 1-1 draw for Ireland after Italy forward Giampaolo Pazzini was sent off in the third minute for elbowing John O'Shea while going up for a header, bloodying the Ireland defender's face. Vincenzo Iaquinta had put Italy in front in the 10th, redirecting a pass that Fabio Grosso slid across the goal mouth. The draw put Ireland two points behind Italy at the top of Group 8. Spain got a late goal from Albert Riera to beat Turkey 2-1, Dirk Kuyt scored two to lead the Netherlands over Macedonia 4-0 and John Terry put in the winning goal in the 85th minute to give England a 2-1 win over Ukraine. Also, Germany maintained its four-point lead at the top of Group 4 with a 2-0 win at Wales, while Franck Ribery scored his second goal in five days against Lithuania to lead France to a 1-0 win in Group 7. Bosnia-Herzegovina remains behind Spain after Edin Dzeko scored twice in a 2-1 win over Belgium. Estonia beat Armenia 1-0. At Wembley Stadium, Peter Crouch's goal put England ahead in the 29th, but substitute Andriy Shevchenko leveled in the 74th with a half-volley after the home side failed to clear a free kick. Terry produced the late winner from close range, scoring from close range after Steven Gerrard had touched on David Beckham's free kick. Also in Group 6, Belarus routed Kazakhstan 5-1 and Croatia beat Andorra 2-0. The Netherlands also took a major step toward with its win in Group 9. The Dutch team now has an eight-point lead over Scotland, which beat Iceland 2-1. In Group 3, Poland routed San Marino 10-0 and is three points behind leader Northern Ireland, which beat Slovenia 1
