Berg scores 4 as Sweden routs Luxembourg 8-0 in qualifying

Football - World Cup Qualifiers

Striker Marcus Berg scored four times and captain Andreas Granqvist a brace as Sweden kept alive its hope of automatic qualification for the World Cup by demolishing Luxembourg 80 on Saturday.

It was Sweden's biggest World Cup qualifying win, eclipsing 70 wins against Malta in 1974 and 2002, FIFA said.

The result in Europe Group A moved Sweden two points clear of France in top spot, for at least a couple of hours. The French can guarantee a top-two finish if they win at Bulgaria later Saturday.

The Netherlands, which plays at Belarus, could miss out on a second consecutive major tournament if it fails to win, or if the Dutch don't better France's result in Sofia.

Luxembourg, which held France to a goalless draw last month, endured a nightmarish game as its defensive frailties were exposed immediately. Sweden scored twice in the opening 18 minutes and led 3-0 at halftime.

Granqvist broke the deadlock in the 10th from the penalty spot after Christopher Martins fouled striker Ola Toivonen in the box. Toivonen assisted Berg eight minutes later with a clever low pass inside the area that his teammate sent into the roof of the net after evading his marker with a fine touch.

Berg made it 3-0 before the interval after collecting the ball near the edge of the area. His initial effort was denied by goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert but Berg managed to head home the rebound.

Berg capitalized on the visitors' poor defending after halftime with a curled shot and defender Mikael Lustig made it 5-0 at the hour mark.

Granqvist converted another penalty, Berg was on target again a few minutes later, and Toivonen volleyed home from the edge of the box to complete the rout.

South Korea defender scores 2 own goals in loss to Russia

South Korea defender Kim Juyoung conceded two own goals in three minutes as his team lost to Russia 4-2 in a friendly on Saturday.

Kim turned the ball into his own net at a corner in the 55th minute to go 2-0 down, and seconds after the restart, he tried to cut out a pass from Alexander Yerokhin on the edge of the box, but it bounced off his foot and rolled into the bottom-right corner, leaving the goalkeeper stranded.

Despite his double gift, Kim played the full 90 minutes.

For Russia, it was a moraleboosting first international game since its disappointing Confederations Cup group-stage exit, while South Korea has gone five games without a win despite having qualified last month for next year's World Cup in Russia.

Fyodor Smolov gave the hosts the lead in the 45th when he headed an Alexander Samedov corner off the ground and in. Alexei Miranchuk made it 4-0 on a rebound.

Kwon Kyung-won scored with a header on his international debut in the 87th and Ji Dongwon added another consolation goal in stoppage time.

Nigeria first team from Africa through to World Cup

Nigeria is the first team from Africa to qualify for the World Cup, doing it with a game to spare after beating Zambia 1-0 at home on Saturday.

The victory, clinched by substitute Alex Iwobi's goal with 17 minutes to go, ensured Nigeria will win Group B and qualify for its fifth World Cup out of the last six.

Only the five group winners qualify from Africa.

Tunisia could become the second team through later on Saturday, and Egypt can seal its place on Sunday.

The remaining two groups will go down to the wire, and the last games next month, in a tight qualifying race on the continent.

Belgium dents Bosnia WCup hope with 4-3 win in Sarajevo

Bosnia hopes of a group runner-up finish and staying in contention for World Cup qualification were hurt when Belgium scored late to win their matchup 4-3 in Sarajevo on Saturday.

Already qualified, Belgium fielded a strong squad and twice came from behind.

Seeking its second ever World Cup qualification, Bosnia is under pressure from Greece, which faced Cyprus away late Saturday in Europe Group H.

Belgium scored quickly through Thomas Meunier in the fourth minute, but trailed at the break, conceding to Haris Medunjanin and Edin Visca.

Michy Batshuayi and Jan Vertonghen brought Belgium back.

But Bosnia leveled thanks to Dario Dumic in the 82nd, only to have their hearts crushed by Belgium's Yannick Carrasco two minutes later.