Argentina suffered their worst defeat in World Cup qualifying when they wilted 6-1 against Bolivia at high altitude yesterday.

The result eclipsed the 5-0 defeat against Colombia in 1993 and ruined the early promise shown under coach Diego Maradona who had earned three victories in three games with no goals conceded since he took over last November.

Bolivia, second to last in the South American race, were celebrating only their sixth-ever win over Argentina - all at home - and first since 1997. The Bolivians matched their most goals against Argentina by half-time, when they led 3-1 at Hernando Siles Stadium. Joaquin Botero claimed a hat-trick in the 33rd, 56th and 66th minutes.

Meanwhile, defending champions Italy were held to a 1-1 draw by Ireland 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.

Points behind

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 their 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.

Spain trailed Turkey after Semih Senturk scored in the 26th, but Xabi Alonso equalised from the penalty spot in the 62nd after defender Ibrahim Uzulmez blocked the ball with his hand in a rough challenge just in front of goal.

Riera benefitted from a gap in the Turkish defence to score in the second minute of injury time from a pass by Daniel Guiza to put the European champions six points ahead of Bosnia in Group 5.

Bosnia-Herzegovina remain behind Spain after Edin Dzeko scored twice in a 2-1 win over Belgium. Estonia beat Armenia 1-0.

Late winner

At Wembley Stadium, Peter Crouch's goal put England ahead in the 29th, but substitute Andriy Shevchenko levelled in the 74th with a half-volley after the home side failed to clear a free kick.

Terry produced the late winner, 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 towards qualifying for South Africa with their 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 are three points behind leaders Northern Ireland, which beat Slovenia 1-0. Poland have a game in hand.

Denmark and Hungary remained at the top of Group 1 after both won 3-0. But Denmark, which beat Albania, have played a game less than Hungary, which defeated Malta.

In Group 2, Dimitris Salpigidis and substitute Georgios Samaras scored a goal each to help Greece beat Israel 2-1 and remain level with Switzerland at the top of Group 2. The Swiss beat bottom-place Moldova 2-0.

In Asian qualifying, Australia almost became the first to secure a place in South Africa by beating Uzbekistan 2-0. Also, South Korea beat North Korea 1-0 and Saudi Arabia defeated the United Arab Emirates 3-2.