Holland Rallies at Estonia

Ruud van Nistelrooy scored twice as the Netherlands had three goals in the last seven minutes to beat upstart Estonia, 4-2, in World Cup qualifying action Saturday.

With his team trailing, 2-1, in Tallinn, Manchester United’s new signee turned the game around with goals in the 83rd and 88th minutes and Barcelona’s Patrick Kluivert added a fourth to keep the Dutch in second place in Group 2 behind Ireland, which tied Portugal, 1-1, in Dublin.

Luis Figo produced a moment of magic to grab a vital point for Portugal.

With his team trailing after Roy Keane’s goal, Figo turned past two defenders 35 yards from the Irish goal, dribbled to the edge of the area and slipped the ball out to the right.

Although the first cross was blocked, the second was lobbed to the far post and the Real Madrid standout timed his run to perfection to head home the equalizer 11 minutes from the end.

Figo also was Portugal’s captain for the game with Fernando Couto forced to watch from the stands after FIFA’s late decision to suspend him over his positive tests for the banned steroid nandrolone. Couto, who has declared his innocence, had flown to Dublin to play until FIFA announced the suspension on Thursday.

The tie keeps both teams unbeaten with Ireland a point ahead of the Dutch and Portugal two points further behind.

Germany salvaged a 2-2 tie with Finland but lost its perfect start to World Cup qualifying after being stunned by two Mikael Forssel goals.

The result in Helsinki keeps the three-time titlist Germans well on course for a place in next year’s finals with 13 points from five games at the top of Group 9, five more than England, which was idle and has a game in hand.

Greece moved above Finland into third place after Ajax Amsterdam striker Nikos Machlas came off the bench to score in a 1-0 beating of Albania.

Qualifying in Europe is becoming clearer with 22 games being staged on Saturday and 21 more to come on Wednesday.

Italy moved closer to an 11th consecutive appearance in the finals by winning, 2-1, at Georgia.

Spain also remained on course for Japan and South Korea, beating Bosnia-Herzegovina, 4-1.

Needing a win in Moscow to revive its chances, Yugoslavia fell behind to Group 1 leader Russia before hitting back for a 1-1 tie.

In South America, Ecuador upset Peru, 2-1, to remain on course for its first World Cup appearance.

At Asuncion, Paraguay beat Chile, 1-0, on an injury-time goal from Humberto Paredes to remain in second place.