Spain all but secured their place in the World Cup finals after a 4-0 win over Georgia in Tbilisi saw Luis de la Fuente's side set a new national record of 30 matches unbeaten.
Mikel Oyarzabal, on his 50th international appearance, set the European champions on their way with an 11th-minute penalty, given following a VAR review.
Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi soon doubled the lead and Ferran Torres added a third before half-time, with Oyarzabal scoring another just after the hour.
Spain are three points clear of Turkey – who beat bottom side Bulgaria 2-0 in in Bursa – at the top of Group E, with the two teams meeting in their final qualifier in Seville on Tuesday.
Graham Potter’s first match in charge of Sweden ended with a 4-1 defeat away to Switzerland, who are three points clear at the top of Group B and another team on the brink of qualification.
Breel Embolo put the home side ahead at Stade de Geneve, before Celtic winger Benjamin Nygren equalised ahead of half-time.
Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka restored Switzerland’s lead from the penalty spot on the hour, with Dan Ndoye adding a third before Johan Manzambi slotted in during added time.
Kosovo maintained hopes of a first World Cup finals appearance with a 2-0 win over 10-man Slovenia in Ljubljana, but look set for runners-up spot given Switzerland’s superior goal difference ahead of their match in Pristina next week.
Scotland’s hopes of automatic qualification from Group C suffered a setback with a 3-2 defeat in Greece, despite a late fightback.
Steve Clarke’s men found themselves 3-0 down just after the hour after goals from Anastasios Bakasetas, Konstantinos Karetsas and Christos Tzolis.
Ben Gannon-Doak and then Ryan Christie reduced the deficit to sent up a grandstand finish, but a late equaliser just would not come, even after Bakasetas was sent off in the closing stages.
Scotland must now beat Denmark – who were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Belarus – in Glasgow on Tuesday night to finish top.
Belgium were also held to a surprise 1-1 draw away in Kazakhstan, but remain on course for qualification at the top of Group J.
Wales kept themselves in contention for runner-up spot in the group after a second-half goal from Jordan James closed out a 1-0 away win over Liechtenstein – and now will need to beat North Macedonia in Cardiff next week to make the play-offs.
Marko Arnautovic scored twice as Austria won 2-0 in Cyprus to sit two points clear at the top of Group H.
Bosnia and Herzegovina beat 10-man Romania 3-1 in Zenica to also guarantee at least a play-off place ahead of their final match in Austria.
Watch Hungary v Republic of Ireland in World Cup qualifying on Sunday from 1.00pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
