Turkey missed a late penalty as they drew 0-0 with Austria and Azerbaijan defeated Kazakhstan 3-2 in Baku.
Turkey rue penalty miss; Azerbaijan secure second success
Arda Turan's missed penalty in injury time shattered Turkey's hopes of taking a big step to the European Championship finals as they were held to a goalless draw in Austria in Group A.
Victory for the Turks would have sent them four points clear of third-placed Belgium with just two games to play. Instead they will take only a two-point advantage into next month's clash with already-qualified Germany.
Turan's powerful spot-kick was tipped round the post by Austrian keeper Pascal Grunwald in a dramatic finish which also saw Martin Harnik's 84th-minute effort for the home side ruled out for offside.
Azerbaijan struck three times in 14 second-half minutes to recover from an early deficit against Kazakhstan in Baku and pick up their second win in Euro 2012 qualifying with a 3-2 success.
Visitors Kazakhstan took the lead through Sergey Ostapenko in the 20th minute and they held that advantage until eight minutes into the second half.
However, Azerbaijan, who held Belgium 1-1 on Friday, then turned the game on its head with goals from Rauf Aliyev, Mahir Shukurov (penalty) and Vagif Javadov to go 3-1 ahead.
Kazakhstan pulled a goal back with 13 minutes remaining through substitute Vitaly Yevstigneev but they could not force an equaliser in the closing minutes as Azerbaijan held on for the victory.
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