A second half header by team captain Trifon Ivanov gave Bulgaria a 1-0 win over Russia and a place in next year's World Cup finals, in Sofia last night. Bulgaria, fourth-placed semi-finalists in the 1994 World Cup and the 10th team to qualify for France, held firm during first half pressure and counter-attacks from Russia. Defender Ivanov, who plays in Austria for Vienna, scored the winning goal in the 55th minute after taking Hristo Stoichkov's cross from the left.
Bulgaria had chances to increase their lead in a bad-tempered encounter but were kept at bay by Russian goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov and some indifferent finishing.
Norway destroyed Switzerland's hopes of qualifying with a 5-0 thrashing in Oslo.
After a goalless first half, the Norwegians, who had already secured their place in the finals as group winners, showed no mercy after the interval.
Jahn Ivar Jakobsen opened the scoring in the 46th minute and four minutes later Staale Solbakken notched up his fourth goal of the qualifying campaign. Defender Dan Eggen scored in the 65th minute before substitute Egil Oestenstad and Tore Andre Flo completed the rout in the 74th and 85th minutes respectively. Switzerland now have no chance of qualifying for the finals.
Captain Juergen Klinsmann marked his 100th cap for Germany with two goals to help the European champions crush Armenia 4-0 and almost certainly secure a place in the finals.
Klinsmann, who had not scored a single goal in his eight previous internationals, bounced back in style with a close-range effort in the 70th minute and a brilliant header 14 minutes later.
The Germans, who had made a sluggish start to the game, completed the win with late goals from midfielder Thomas Haessler and striker Ulf Kirsten in the 86th and 90th minutes respectively.
Austria strengthened their qualifying chances in Minsk last night beating Belarus 1-0 to vault back over Scotland to the top of Group Four.
Heimo Pfeifenberger's goal in the 50th minute settled a match in which both sides had many chances. Austria began the second half on the attack and when Harald Cerny found Pfeifenberger in space he steered a nine-yard shot past Belarus keeper Andrei Satsunkevich.
Meanwhile, brothers Brian and Michael Laudrup scored a goal apiece as Denmark beat Croatia 31 to go top of Group One.
Brian Laudrup opened the scoring after 17 minutes, followed in the 36th minute by Michael. The Danes hit the net again in the 41st minute, with a shot from the edge of the box by an unmarked Miklos Molnar.
Denmark then lost concentration and Croatian striker Davor Suker slipped past their defence to head home from a cross by Robert Jarni in the 44th minute.
