Michael Owen scored a hat trick as England beat Germany 5-1 Saturday, only the Germans' second World Cup qualifying loss ever, while Poland clinched a spot in next year's tournament.

Dietmar Hamann (right) and Germany couldn't contain England's Michael Owen who scored a hat trick. (AP)

On a day of 21 games in Europe, the Netherlands was virtually eliminated from contention with a 1-0 loss to Ireland, while Iceland kept its hopes alive by upsetting the Czech Republic 3-1.

Italy and Russia wasted a chances to qualify. Italy tied 0-0 at Lithuania, while Russia lost 2-1 at Slovenia.

Spain virtually guaranteed itself a berth with a convincing 4-0 victory over Austria. Spain needs just one point from its final match on Wednesday in Liechtenstein - which has lost every group match so far - to mathematically ensure its place in the tournament.

Elsewhere, 1998 World Cup champion France lost 2-1 at Chile in an exhibition game, Honduras beat the United States 3-2 in the CONCACAF region, and Thailand and Iran tied 0-0 in an Asia Group A qualifier.

The day's most significant result was in Munich, as England won in Germany for the first time in 36 years. Germany's only previous loss in a World Cup qualifier was in 1985, when it was beaten 1-0 by Portugal after having already qualified.

Germany (5-1-1), a three-time World Cup champion, could have clinched a qualifying berth with a victory Saturday. Instead, England (4-1-1) closed to within three points in the standings and, with a game in hand, can still win the group and gain a direct qualifying berth.

Germany went ahead 1-0 after just seven minutes on Carsten Jancker's goal.

Owen tied it six minutes later, and also scored in the 48th and 66th minutes. His club teammates with Liverpool, midfielder Steven Gerrard and Emile Heskey had the other goals.

"We are a good team and it is about time we started showing them how good we are," Owen said.

German coach Rudi Voeller's father had a heart attack at halftime and was in stable condition at a hospital.

Meanwhile, Poland beat Norway 3-0 in Chorzow to win Group 5 and clinch a berth for the first time since 1986. Pawel Kryszalowicz (45th minute), Nigerian-born Emmanuel Olisadebe (77th) and Marcin Zewlakow (88th) scored.

The Dutch, semifinalists at the 1998 World Cup, are all but eliminated after their loss in Dublin.

Ireland won despite having Gary Kelly ejected 13 minutes into the second half. Ten minutes later, Jason McAteer took a cross from Steven Finnan and half-volleyed the ball into the net.

"Doing it with 10 men makes it all the sweeter," Ireland manager Mick McCarthy said. "When you talk about great wins the most recent one always seems the best but this must be right up there at the top of the list."

The Netherlands, runner-up in 1974 and 1978, has not missed a World Cup since 1986.

With 22 more games next Wednesday, the qualifying situation will become much clearer.

The nine European group winners qualify directly, while the runners-up go into playoffs to determine the other five qualifiers.