The World Cup hopes of Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and Chelsea's Robert Huth were dealt a blow as hosts Germany suffered a 4-1 defeat by Italy on Wednesday.

Both Premiership-based players are fringe contenders for a starting berth at this summer's tournament and though defender Huth claimed Germany's consolation, the result has not helped their cause.

Goals from Alberto Gilardino and Luca Toni gave the hosts a 2-0 lead with just six minutes played.

The visitors' agony continued as Daniele De Rossi's 36th minute header added his side's third.

Alessandro Del Piero completed a great night for the Italians shortly before the hour mark before Huth struck with seven minutes remaining.

World Cup holders Brazil continued to warm up for their title defence with a 1-0 win over Russia in Moscow.

Ronaldo got the winner on 15 minutes when a Roberto Carlos shot deflected off him into the Russian net.

1998 World Cup winners France suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat by Slovakia.

Former Arsenal striker Sylvain Wiltord found the net for Les Bleus.

But it wasn't enough to save them from defeat as Szilard Nemeth and Jozef Valachovic both scored for the visitors.

Spain had to come from behind to beat Ivory Coast 3-2 at home.

Jose Antonio Reyes and Juanito both netted in the final 16 minutes for the home side.

Portugal beat Saudi Arabia 3-0 in a match played in Dusseldorf with two goals from Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo and another from Chelsea midfielder Maniche.

The Czech Republic, second only to Brazil in the FIFA World Rankings, were held 2-2 in Istanbul by Turkey, who failed to qualify.

Karel Poborsky's penalty and Jiri Stajner's goal gave the Czechs a 2-0 lead which they defended to virtually the end.

However, Turkey substitute Umit Karan scored two goals in the last two minutes to earn a draw.

Holland were 1-0 home winners over Ecuador as Dirk Kuijt netted the only goal three minutes into the second half.

Serbia & Montenegro tuned up nicely for the finals with a 1-0 win against Tunisia, who will also be among the 32 finalists.

Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman's 12th-minute strike was sufficient to sink the Carthage Eagles in Tunis while the Serbo-Montenegrin defence that conceded only one goal in qualifying once again showed its resilience.

The United States needed a Clint Dempsey goal to beat Poland 1-0 in a match between two World Cup qualifiers played in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Argentina went down to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Croatia in Basle, Switzerland.

The game had uncanny echoes of when Argentina lost 3-2 to England on their last visit to Switzerland.

The game got off to an electric start with Ivan Klasnic putting Croatia ahead but then Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi made it 2-1 to the Latin Americans with only six minutes played.

Darijo Srna squared the match seven minutes after the interval before Dario Simic sealed the win in stoppage time.

Iran in the end had to hang on to win 3-2 against a Costa Rica team that will, like their conquerors, be playing in the World Cup finals.

Meanwhile, Park Chu-Young was the goalscorer in South Korea's 1-0 win over Angola.

Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes scored an equaliser as Spain twice came from behind to beat the Ivory Coast 3-2.

France's World Cup preparations hit an unexpected hurdle as Slovakia beat Les Bleus at the Stade de France.

The visitors threatened on the break during the first half and, therefore, it came as no surprise when Szilard Nemeth put them ahead on the hour mark.

Normal service seemed to have been resumed when Sylvain Wiltord equalised 13 minutes later with a dubious penalty but Slovakia had the final say when Jozef Valachovic fired home a free-kick.

Arsenal captain Thierry Henry came off the bench in the second half.

A fortuitous 15th-minute goal by Real Madrid striker Ronaldo helped Brazil to a hard-fought 1-0 win in Russia.

Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt scored the only goal of the game as Holland beat Ecuador in Amsterdam.

The Feyenoord striker netted the decider three minutes after half-time against an Ecuador team that only really started to produce the goods in the later stages of the match at the Amsterdam ArenA.