LONDON — Spain's run of 24 consecutive qualifying wins was halted by France on Tuesday, while Germany spectacularly collapsed to let Sweden fight back from four goals down to draw 4-4 in the campaign to reach the 2014 World Cup.
England's qualifier against Poland didn't even start as a deluge in Warsaw led to the game being postponed until Wednesday afternoon.
World and European champion Spain led through Sergio Ramos' 25th-minute header, but Cesc Fabregas had a penalty saved and Olivier Giroud clinched a 1-1 draw for France in the final attack.
Germany had been rampant against Sweden, with an early double from Miroslav Klose and further goals from Per Mertesacker and Mesut Oezil.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic began Sweden's comeback in 62nd minutes, with Mikael Lustig and Johan Elmander also netting before Rasmus Elm's unexpected equalizer in stoppage time.