LONDON, May 1: European champions Germany claimed an important 2-0 victory over Ukraine yesterday on a busy night of World Cup qualifying action.

Second-half goals by Oliver Bierhoff and Mario Basler did the damage for Germany who are now just a point behind Ukraine and two clear of Portugal. Romania all but ensured their place in next year's finals in France with a 1-0 home win over Ireland in Group Eight.

Adrian Ilie got the only goal after 32 minutes but keeper Bogdan Stelea saved a Roy Keane penalty three minutes after the break.

Romania have a maximum 18 points from six games, eight clear of Macedonia with Ireland down to fourth on seven points.

Elsewhere in Group Eight Lithuania beat Liechtenstein 2-0 away to stay in the hunt in third place on nine points

In Group Seven Belgium earned a vital 3-1 win in Turkey thanks to a first-half hat-trick by Luis Olivera. Oktay Derelioglu replied for the Turks, also in the first half.

Holland, whose match against San Marino was due to finish later yesterday top the group on 12 points, ahead on goal difference of Belgium with Turkey now five points adrift.

Scotland conceded their first goals in seven qualifying matches when Sweden won their Group Four clash 2-1 in Gothenburg.

Kennet Andersson volleyed Sweden into a deserved lead two minutes before half-time and added the second in the 63rd minute.

Kevin Gallacher pulled one back for Scotland seven minutes from time. Scotland still top the group on 14 points with Austria, who play Estonia later Wednesday on 10, and Sweden nine.

Israel stayed in contention to reach the finals for the first time since 1970 with a 2-0 home win over Cyprus.

Both goals came from veteran striker Eli Ohana, the first after three minutes and the second 18 minutes from time.

The win keeps Israel top of Group Five with 13 points from six games with Russia second on 11 from five.

The Russians had a comfortable 3-0 win over Luxembourg in Moscow with goals by Valery Kechinov, Sergei Grishin and Igor Simutenkov. Luxembourg defender Jeff Strasser was sent off after an hour.

Denmark hammered Slovenia 4-0 to keep up the pressure on Greece at the top of Group One. Two goals by Allan Nielsen and one each for Per Pedersen and Brian Laudrup had the result settled within an hour. Greece were playing Croatia yesterday.

Elsewhere a last minute goal by Tody Jonsson gave the Faroe Islands a 2-1 win in Malta in Group Six -- their first ever World Cup victory, two goals by Juri Shevlyakov gave Latvia a 2-0 home win over Belarus in Group Four and Armenia and Northern Ireland drew 0-0 in Group Nine.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.