World champions Spain regained top spot in their 2014 World Cup qualifying group on Tuesday as they beat former leaders France 1-0 in a hard-fought clash.

While Pedro Rodriguez's second-half goal saw them take a one-point lead over France in Group I, the team they beat in the 2010 World Cup final, the Netherlands, maintained their perfect record with their sixth win in six games, a 4-0 success over Romania.

The Dutch - who have recovered brilliantly under Louis van Gaal since he stepped in after they exited Euro 2012 at the group stage - lead Group D by seven points, second-placed Hungary having drawn 1-1 away in Turkey.

England too came away with a 1-1 draw away at Group H leaders Montenegro. However, having taken an early lead through Wayne Rooney, on the ground where his red card in Euro 2012 qualifying saw him miss the first two group games at the finals, they were fortunate to even take a point.

Montenegro still lead them by two points and could stretch it to five if they beat Ukraine in June before the English play their next qualifier at home to Moldova in September.

Other European heavyweights had little trouble against lightly regarded opponents, Germany cruising to a 4-1 win at home to Kazakhstan and a double from Mario Balotelli seeing Italy to a 2-0 win away in Malta.

Italy lead second-placed Bulgaria by three points - the Bulgarians having drawn 1-1 with Denmark - but with a game in hand.

The Czech Republic could sneak the runners-up playoff spot as a 3-0 win in Armenia on goalkeeper Petr Cech's 100th appearance put them just two points behind Bulgaria and also with a game in hand.

Spain dispelled notions before the match that their mastery of world soccer was on the wane after a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to unfancied Finland on Friday.

Their performance left coach Vicente del Bosque a satisfied man.

"They are three welcome points which change our situation in the table," said the unassuming former Real Madrid coach.

"What is better still is that we remained faithful to our style of play."

However, Del Bosque is too experienced a hand to assume the hard work is over with both his side and France having three games remaining.

"There are still enough matches for the fortunes to change again, so nothing is yet done and dusted," he added.

AFP - Global Times