International Friendlies Saturday Review
South Africa played out a goalless draw with Japan as preparations for next summer's finals gathered pace.
The World Cup hosts could not breach the defence of already-qualified Japan in Nelson Mandela Bay on a day when the frantic fight to reach the finals next June continued across the globe.
The friendly between Germany and Chile, who have both already qualified, was postponed this week as a mark of respect following the death of international goalkeeper Robert Enke.
The United States were beaten 1-0 by fellow World Cup qualifiers Slovakia in Bratislava, with Marek Hamsik's first-half strike the difference between the sides.
In matches involving nations who will not be taking part in the finals, Goran Pandev scored twice as Macedonia beat Canada 3-0 and David Edwards, Simon Church and Aaron Ramsay were on target as Wales beat Scotland 3-0.
Romania won 1-0 in Poland, Saudi Arabia and Belarus drew 1-1 and Estonia and Albania drew 0-0.
Nilmar scored the only goal as five-times world champions Brazil beat fellow qualifiers England 1-0 in Qatar.
The striker arrowed a header into the corner following Elano's dipping cross, while Luis Fabiano missed a penalty as Wayne Rooney's first game as England captain ended in defeat.
World Cup finalists Switzerland lost 1-0 to Norway as John Carew converted a penalty, Danko Lazovic scored the only goal as Serbia beat Northern Ireland 1-0, while Eduardo and Mate Bilic each scored twice as Croatia thrashed Liechtenstein 5-0.
Reigning world champions Italy were held to a 0-0 draw by Holland in Pescara.
Substitute Giampaolo Pazzini was denied a late winner as he was judged to have used his arm to bundle the ball in with seven minutes remaining.
At the other end Gianluigi Buffon made a fine save from Rafael van der Vaart to mark his 100th cap with a clean sheet.
There was bad news for Holland and Arsenal, though, with striker Robin van Persie leaving the pitch nursing an injury just 16 minutes in.
Xabi Alonso struck both goals, including a late penalty winner, as European champions Spain further enhanced their World Cup credentials with an impressive 2-1 victory over Argentina in Madrid.
Alonso, who had only netted five goals in 65 appearances for Spain prior to the match, gave Vicente del Bosque's side a deserved half-time lead only for Argentina to hit back though Lionel Messi's penalty on the hour.
Alonso's 86th-minute spot-kick secured Spain's 38th win in 43 games since the start of 2007.
Elsewhere, finalists Denmark and South Korea shared a goalless draw in Esbjerg, while Luxembourg and Iceland drew 1-1 and Belgium beat Hungary 3-0.
Selected Match Reports
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