Romania beat Macedonia 42 in Bucharest last night to earn Europe's first qualifying berth at the 1998 World Cup finals in France next year. Romania, World Cup quarter-finalists in 1994 but first round losers at Euro 96, are the eighth of 32 countries to qualify for the finals.

Romania join hosts France, holders Brazil and African qualifiers South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Cameroon as countries already qualified with three and half months to go to the draw in Marseille on December 4th.

Ion Moldovan scored twice, one from the spot, with Constantin Galca and Ilie Dumitrescu also on target. Dragan Dzokici scored twice for Macedonia.

Iceland recorded their first win of the campaign with a resounding 4-0 victory over group whipping-boys Liechtenstein in Vaduz.