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Spain and Netherlands remain 100 per cent in Euro qualifiers

Dirk Kuyt celebrates his goal as Netherlands edged an eight-goal thriller against Hungary in Amsterdam.
Dirk Kuyt celebrates his goal as Netherlands edged an eight-goal thriller against Hungary in Amsterdam.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Spain and Netherlands retain their 100 per cent record in Euro 2012 qualifiers
  • Spain win 3-1 in Lithuania while Dutch defeat Hungary 5-3 in a thrilling tie
  • Group I qualifier in Kaunas given all clear by referee despite state of the pitch
  • There are also victories for Czech Republic, Sweden and Turkey on Tuesday
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(CNN) -- World Cup finalists Spain and Netherlands both retained their 100% records in Euro 2012 qualifying on Tuesday, although neither nation had things their own way against Hungary and Lithuania respectively.

World and European champions Spain only knew their Group I qualifier against Lithuania in Kaunas was going ahead shortly before kick-off, with the referee passing the pitch fit to play despite Spanish protests that it was unsuitable for international football.

But, despite the conditions, Spain took the lead through Xavi Hernandez, only for Marius Stankevicius, who plays for Spanish club Valencia, to level matters with a sensational strike from outside the area.

However, defender Tadas Kijanskas put through his own net while under pressure from Fernando Llorente to give Spain the lead again and another Valencia player, Juan Manuel Mata, made it 3-1 to the visitors after finishing off a flowing move with seven minutes remaining.

The result gives Spain 15 points from their five matches with the Czech Republic, who beat Liechtenstein 2-0, clear in second on nine points.

Meanwhile, Netherlands beat Hungary 5-3 in a Group E thriller to remain on course to qualify for the finals.

The Dutch beat Hungary 4-0 when the teams met on Saturday, but this proved a differeent proposition on a night of high drama in Amsterdam.

Robin van Persie gave the hosts the lead but Gergely Rudolf drew the visitors level early in the seconf half, before Zoltan Gera gave Hungary the lead with a sharp volley.

But Wesley Sneijder drew the Dutch level on the hour mark and Ruud van Nistelrooy made it 3-2 with 18 minutes remaining.

Still the scoring was not finished though, and Gera's second of the match just three minutes later looked to be enough to earn Hungary a point.

However, Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt scored twice in three minutes to seal victory for Netherlands to give them a maximum 18 points from their six matches.

Sweden lie second in the group after a 2-1 home win over Moldova, while Hungary are third, level on nine points with the Swedes having played two matches more.

Elsewhere, Belgium closed to within five points of Group A leaders Germany by beating Azerbaijan 4-1 in Brussels. Guus Hiddink's Turkey defeated Austria 2-0 and are now a point behind the Belgians in third place with a game in hand.