Arshavin inspires Russia
Russia bounced back from their World Cup qualifying group four defeat by Germany as Andrei Arshavin inspired them to a 3-0 win over Finland.
Petri Pasanen deflected the Zenit St Petersburg playmaker's shot into his own goal for the opener (22), before Sergei Semak doubled the lead (65).
Arshavin added the third (89) as Russia moved to six points to put pressure on Germany and Wales at the summit.
Van Bommel seals points
Mark van Bommel's first international goal since September 2004 gave Holland a 1-0 win in Norway in Scotland's World Cup qualifying group nine.
The midfielder finished from 20 yards after Giovanni van Bronckhorst's corner was cleared by Brede Hangeland (64).
Veigar Pall Gunnarson's tap-in lifted Iceland off the foot of the group as they beat Macedonia 1-0, with keeper Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson the hero.
Italy ease to victory
Italy saw off Montenegro 2-1 in the Republic of Ireland's group eight - more easily than the score suggested.
Alberto Aquilani's opener was cancelled out by Roma striker Mirko Vucinic, only for Jovan Tanasijevic's own goal to hand the Azzurri victory.
That left them three points ahead of Giovanni Trapattoni's side, who lead Bulgaria - held to an eventful 0-0 draw in Georgia - by four.