LONDON, 4 September 2005 — Ukraine were denied a place in the World Cup finals for the first time when they conceded a goal a minute from time to draw 1-1 in Georgia yesterday.

Ukraine, who would have qualified with a win, seemed set to make history after taking a 1-0 lead just before halftime through Ruslan Rotan in a match played behind closed doors because of previous crowd problems.

They held the advantage until seconds from time when Georgi Gakhokidze equalized for the home side.

Victory would have given them an unassailable lead at the top of European Group Two, but they can get over their disappointment in Kiev on Wednesday by picking up the one point they now need against Turkey to go through.

However, there will be some nervous Ukrainians, who have seen their team miss out on major tournaments three times by losing playoffs since gaining independence in 1991.

In other early action yesterday, England and Tunisia also moved a step closer qualifying.

England won 1-0 against Wales in Cardiff to maintain their unbeaten start in European Group Six while Tunisia beat Kenya 2-0 in Nairobi to move within a point of qualifying from African Group Five.

England moved to the top of their section, for a few hours at least until Poland played Austria later yesterday, taking their tally to 19 points from seven matches.

Joe Cole scored the only goal of the game in Cardiff with a deflected shot eight minutes into the second half as England restored some pride after their 4-1 defeat in last month’s friendly in Denmark.

Northern Ireland were the other early winners in the same group beating Azerbaijan 2-0 in Belfast for their first victory in a competitive match at home for four years. Although they have no hope of qualifying it at least boosts their confidence before they host England on Wednesday.

Stuart Elliott scored from a free kick after 25 minutes and substitute Warren Feeney doubled their lead with a penalty five minutes from time.

Russia kept the pressure on Portugal and Slovakia in Group Three with a 2-0 win over minnows Liechtenstein with Alexander Kerzhakov scoring once in each half.

Russia wasted a good chance to settle their nerves early on when Sergei Ignashevich missed a penalty but the Russians did well to contain a lively visiting side to move on to 18 points.

They are now level with Slovakia, who do not play yesterday. Portugal are at home to Luxemborg and should stretch their lead to five points at the top of the table later.

Sweden took temporary pole position in Group Eight, at least until Croatia play Iceland later, after a comprehensive 3-0 win over Bulgaria in Stockholm.

All three goals were evenly spaced in the last 30 minutes with Fredrik Ljungberg scoring after 60 minutes, Olof Mellberg after 75 and Zlatan Ibrahimovic after 90 after Bulgaria had Blagoy Georgiev sent off in the 49th.

The top of Group Four remains as tight as ever after Switzerland and Israel drew 1-1 in Basel leaving the top four in the group all unbeaten.

Ireland and Switzerland have 13 points, Israel 12 and France 10, but France should move on to 13 with a win over Faroe Islands in Lens later on Saturday.

Alexander Frei put Switzerland ahead after five minutes with Adoram Keise equalized for the visitors 15 minutes later — the sixth time in the campaign that they have come from behind to win or draw.

Italy remain in control of Group Five but had to work hard to earn a 1-1 comeback draw in Scotland.

The Scots led through a Kenny Miller header in the 13th minute but Italy levelled through substitute Fabio Grosso 14 minutes from time.

Italy have 14 points with Norway and Slovenia, who meet later, both on nine. Scotland have seven points, along with Belarus, who surprisingly lost 2-0 in Moldova.

Elsewhere Australia crushed the Solomon Islands 7-0 in the first leg of their Oceania group final playoff in Sydney to leave new Dutch coach Guus Hiddink a happy man.

Mark Viduka scored twice with Tim Cahill, Scott Chipperfield, and Brett Emerton all among the scorers.

Australia will complete the formality in the second leg on Wednesday before meeting the team that eventually finished fifth in the South American group in a playoff in November for the right to play in the finals in Germany next year.

In one of the early matches played in Africa, Tunisia beat Kenya 2-0 behind closed doors in Nairobi to move within a point of qualifying for the finals.