Images from the football World Cup qualifiers

Striker Nilmar scored a hat-trick for a second-string Brazil as they beat Chile 4-2 at home and denied the visitors the victory they required to seal a place in the finals.

In the absence of the suspended Kaka, Lucio, Luis Fabiano and injured Robinho, Villarreal striker Nilmar made the most of opportunity in a match of flaring tempers and lunging tackles.

Brazil's Felipe Melo was sent off in the 52nd minute for a bad foul on Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean was also shown a red card, in the 77th minute, for dissent.

Julio Baptista scored the other goal for Brazil, while Humberto Suazo pulled one back for Chile with a penalty just before half-time.

Portugal struck early and held on for a 1-0 win over Hungary to breathe life into their bid for a place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Pepe gave Portugal the lead, towering above the Hungarian defence to head in from Deco's free-kick in the 10th minute.

Real Madrid 'Galactico' Ronaldo came close to doubling Portugal's lead in the 30th minute when Meireles's through-ball put Ronaldo clear, but the winger's curling shot was blocked by 'keeper Gabor Babos.

Victory took Portugal to third place in Group One with 13 points from eight matches, with two still to play.

Denmark top the group with 18 points after being held to a 1-1 draw by Albania, while Sweden moved up to second on 15 points after their 1-0 win over Malta. Hungary, like Portugal, have 13 points.

Russia brushed aside Wales 3-1 at the Millennium stadium on Wednesday to set up a crunch match against World Cup qualifying Group Four rivals Germany, who crushed Azerbaijan 4-0.

Striker Miroslav Klose scored twice in 10 minutes to help Germany stay top of Group Four.

Goals either side of half-time from Russia's Igor Semshov and Sergei Ignashevich helped mute the patriotic Welsh crowd, who found their voice briefly in the second half when James Collins struck on 51 minutes.

Striker Roman Pavlyuchenko added a late third to finish off Wales and eliminate them from contention for a 2010 World Cup place.

Russia now have 21 points, one less than group leaders Germany.

Serbia coach Radomir Antic praised 10-man France for a spirited fightback in a 1-1 draw against his team in their World Cup Group Seven qualifier on Wednesday.

A win would have steered Serbia into next year's finals and they looked to be on their way after Nenad Milijas gave them the lead with a soft penalty, which also produced a red card for France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Thierry Henry equalised in the 31st minute and France dominated proceedings in the second half, laying siege to the Serbian goal in the closing stages. However, they failed to find the net despite constant raids into the box.

Despite the draw France are still not assured of even a play-off berth.

Ecuador crushed a soft-bellied Bolivia 3-1 away in their qualifier on Wednesday to stay in fourth, the last of the automatic places for the 2010 finals in South Africa, after they overtook Argentina by one point.

Ecuador scored early through Edison Mendez, who shot home past keeper Hugo Suarez from close range.

Suarez made good saves from left back Walter Ayovi and Mendez but Antonio Valencia rifled the ball past the keeper less than a minute after the interval for the second goal. Valencia skipped past his marker on the right in the 57th and hit a low cross which Cristian Benitez turned into the net for the third.

Bolivia pulled one back in the 86th minute when substitute Gerardo Yecerotte headed a cross into the bottom corner at the far post.

Meanwhile, in the Asian World Cup play-off, Bahrain scored in the last minute of stoppage time to beat Saudi Arabia on the away goals rule on Wednesday.

Bahrain advanced to a final play-off against Oceania champions New Zealand after substitute Ismaeel Latif's last-gasp goal secured a 2-2 draw following their scoreless draw in Manama at the weekend.

Samuel Eto'o scored his eighth goal of the World Cup qualifying campaign on Wednesday to help steer Cameroon to a 2-1 win over Gabon and top place in African Group A.