Cristiano Ronaldo had a good outing, but he was not the scorer as Helder Postiga helped Portugal grind out a vital 1-0 win over Russia, with Belgium inching ever closer towards World Cup qualification.
There were a couple of surprise results as well with Ukraine thrashing Montenegro 4-0, while Mario Balotelli saw that red card he has witnessed so many times yet again as Italy hung on for a 0-0 draw with the Czech Republic.
There were also wins for Scotland, Malta, Ireland, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece and Finland.
In Group F, Portugal were facing a must-win game against Russia, and they came up trumps, jumping out of the blocks like a team possessed to score a quick opener.
Postiga snuck on the end of a Miguel Veloso freekick in the ninth minute to hand Portugal the lead, which they would keep for the rest of the game.
Russia were slow starters, but once they found their groove looked dangerous; Portugal also kept pressing and probing, with Ronaldo, in particular, posing a constant threat.
However, the score remained 1-0 and Portugal climbed to the top of the table with 14 points from seven matches, two more than Russia, who, however, have played two games less. Israel can join Portugal on 14 points if they win their game in hand.
Group A now belongs to Belgium, who secured a 2-1 win over Serbia thanks to goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Marouane Fellaini.
The Belgians went into the game tied at the top with Croatia on 16 points each, and with the latter surprisingly losing to Scotland 1-0 - Norwich midfielder Robert Snodgrass scoring the winner - Belgium now have sole control of the pole position on 19 points, three more than second-placed Croatia with the rest of the teams pretty much out of the running.
In Group B, Italy had Gianluigi Buffon to thank for earning them a point, after the veteran goalkeeper made a string of brilliant saves to keep the score goalless against a dangerous-looking Czech Republic side, in a game which saw Balotelli sent off after picking up two quickfire yellow cards.
The Italian, as is his wont incensed by the decision, stormed off damaging the walls of the Generali Arena tunnel in the process.
Group H opened up for England following Montenegro's loss to Ukraine. Montenegro still lead the group with 14 points, but England, on 12, can go top if they win their game in hand. Ukraine are right behind Roy Hodgson's men on 11 points having played the same amount of matches.
The Republic of Ireland kept their hopes of finishing second behind runaway leaders Germany in Group C alive with a comfortable 3-0 win over minnows Faroe Islands - Robbie Keane netting a hat-trick in his 126th appearance for his country.
In the South American World Cup Qualifiers, Lionel Messi came off the bench, but could not inspire Argentina to a win against Colombia with both sides eventually settling for a goalless draw in an end-to-end game which saw Gonzalo Higuain and Christian Zapata sent off.
Argentina remain in control of the standings, five points clear of Colombia, who do have a game in hand.
In the CONCACAF Group, United States scored a late winner to give them a vital win over Jamaica.
Defender Brad Evans was the hero, getting on the end of a cross from Michael Bradley to calmly slot it into the back of the net in the first minute of stoppage time.
Jermaine Beckford had equalized for the Jamaicans in the 89th minute after Jozy Altidore's opener in the first half.
Elsewhere, Mexico's qualifying woes continued after being held to a 0-0 draw against Panama.
Results: Europe: Group A: Croatia 0-1 Scotland; Belgium 2-1 Serbia. Group B: Armenia 0-0 Malta; Czech Republic 0-0 Italy. Group C: Ireland 3-0 Faroe Islands; Austria 2-1 Sweden. Group E: Iceland 2-4 Slovenia; Albania 1-1 Norway. Group F: Azerbaijan 1-1 Luxembourg. Group G: Latvia 0-5 Bosnia-Herzegovina; Lithuania 0-1 Greece; Liechtenstein 1-1 Slovakia. Group H: Montenegro 0-4 Ukraine; Moldova 1-1 Poland. Group I: Finland 1-0 Belarus.
South America: Argentina 0-0 Colombia; Bolivia 1-1 Venezuela.
CONCACAF: Jamaica 1-2 United States; Panama 0-0 Mexico.
