England's Theo Walcott (centre) is hugged by teammates Rio Ferdinand (left) and Wayne Rooney, after scoring against Croatia in Zagreb yesterday. England trounced Croatia 4-1. - AP

LONDON (AP):

DENMARK SCORED two goals in the final minutes to come back and beat Portugal 3-2, Germany salvaged a 3-3 draw at Finland, and England and France produced victories to relieve the pressure on their coaches yesterday in World Cup qualifying.

Daniel Jensen headed in the winning goal in injury time to cap a late comeback for the Danes, who trailed 2-1 in the 86th minute. Finland led three times against Germany, but the three-time World Cup champions got three goals from Miroslav Klose to secure the draw.

Three goals

England teenager Theo Walcott also scored three goals in a 4-1 win over Croatia that came only four days after the team struggled to beat Andorra 2-0. France's humiliating loss at Austria on Saturday put Raymond Domenech's future under scrutiny, but the World Cup runners-up overcame Serbia 2-1.

World Cup champion Italy, who squeezed past Cyprus in their Group 8 opener, beat Georgia 2-0, and European champions Spain defeated Armenia 4-0.

Nani gave Portugal the lead in the 42nd in Lisbon, but Nicklas Bendtner equalised for Denmark in the 84th. Deco restored the host team's lead two minutes later, but Christopher Poulsen scored in the 90th and Jensen added the other to complete the upset.

Also in Group One, Albania beat Malta 3-0 and Sweden defeated Hungary 2-1.

In Helsinki, Klose equalised three times after goals from Jonatan Johansson, Petri Vayrynen and Daniel Sjolund. Klose took advantage of some slack marking in the 38th, and then added another in the 45th and the last in the 83rd.

"All the time I have confidence for Klose," Germany coach Joachim Loew said. "His qualities are known for us all and I had the feeling that he was to be better. That was to be seen in practices lately. Our faith in him got rewarded."

Germany lead Group Four with four points. Russia are next after opening their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Wales. Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein drew 0-0.

Chance squandered

Wales squandered a chance to take the lead when Gareth Bale missed a penalty in the 16th. Roman Pavlyuchenko then converted from the spot for Russia in the 22nd.

Italy maintained their 100 per cent record in Group Eight when Daniele De Rossi scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Georgia.

"It's great to win when you're struggling," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. "In a month we'll be back in better condition."

Shay Given made several saves to give Ireland a 0-0 draw at Montenegro to remain second behind Italy.

England avenged their two losses to Croatia in Euro 2008 qualifying by winning easily in Zagreb.