England clinched a flattering 5-1 win over hapless Kazakhstan on Saturday as British ambitions spluttered once again on the road to the 2010 World Cup.

Wales kept alive their hopes with a workmanlike 2-0 win against Liechtenstein while Scotland's hopes of making the finals were left hanging by a thread after a dour 0-0 draw against Norway.

At Wembley, Wayne Rooney scored twice as England stayed on top of Group Six with a maximum nine points but the performance was nothing like as convincing as the scoreline suggested.

After the euphoria generated by last month's 4-1 win in Croatia, England coach Fabio Capello had been hopeful of another impressive display to make international rivals sit up and take notice.

But they had to wait until seven minutes into the second half to take the lead through a Rio Ferdinand header before defender Alexandr Kuchma put through his own goal to double their advantage.

Zhambyl Kukeyev's well-taken strike briefly gave the visitors hope before Rooney's double and a late strike from substitute Jermain Defoe spared their coach a tense finale.

"In the first half we had couple of chances and could have gone in one or two goals up at half-time. But we knew we had to be patient," said Rooney.

"We knew the chances would come and we would take them. We know we can play better, but the result was the main thing — to get the points on the board."

In the same group, Ukraine were held at home to a goalless draw by Croatia in Kharkov, which means England lead the table by two points from Ukraine and five from Croatia after three games.

Scotland's World Cup qualification hangs in the balance after a goalless draw against Norway at Hampden in Group Nine.

Chris Iwelumo, making his international debut as a second-half substitute, missed a golden chance to give the Scots a lead from just two yards out.

On Iwelumo's miss, Scotland manager George Burley said: "It was just one of those things. I don't know whether he miss-hit it or was a bit flat-footed."

In Cardiff, Wales were indebted to goals from David Edwards and substitute Chedwyn Evans for their win although skipper Craig Bellamy could have ensured a more comfortable outing had he not missed a first half penalty.

Wales have a much tougher Group Four task on Wednesday when they travel to Germany who were facing Russia in Dortmund later Saturday.

"We've got a win. It could have been better but we got the win," said Bellamy.

In the same group, Finland needed a second-half Mikael Forssell penalty to beat Azerbaijan.

Switzerland, who lost to Luxembourg last time out, saw off Latvia 2-1 in Zurich in Group Two with Ottmar Hitzfeld's side winning thanks to goals from all-time top scorer Alex Frei and Blaise N'kufo.

Austria, who beat France in their Group Seven opener, were held to a 1-1 draw in the Faroes.

On a bumper day of 24 ties in Europe, European champions Spain were facing Group Five whipping boys Estonia having secured a maximum six points so far and have yet to concede a goal.

Defending world champions Italy are at Bulgaria and also have six points from two Group Eight matches.

France, champions in 1998 and runners-up in 2006, travel to Romania lying in fourth place in Group Seven. Defeat on Saturday could cost coach Raymond Domenech his job with the faltering World Cup campaign coming in the wake of their humiliating Euro 2008.

AFP