LONDON (AP) — The Netherlands survived a scare yesterday to beat Hungary 5-3 and maintain their 100 per cent record in European Championship qualifying, while Spain stretched their perfect start to Group I with a 3-1 win at Lithuania.

Hungary scored twice in five minutes at the start of the second half to lead 2-1. Wesley Sniejder equalised and veteran striker Ruud van Nistelrooy put the Dutch ahead, but Hungary playmaker Zoltan Gera made it 3-3 with 15 minutes left to again threaten the Group E leaders.

Dirk Kuyt secured victory with two goals in the last 12 minutes to take the Netherlands to 18 points from six matches, nine clear of Hungary and on the verge of a place in next year’s tournament. Sweden share second place with Hungary after beating Moldova 2-1.

World Cup holders and defending European champions Spain won their fifth straight qualifier with another dominant midfield performance by midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who scored the opening goal.

Lithuania surprisingly equalised in the 57th but Spain triumphed with an own goal and an effort by Juanma Mata.

But with only 10 Euro 2012 qualifying matches, several other teams were in friendly action.

Australia scored two goals in four second-half minutes to rally and beat a much-changed Germany side 2-1, while a second-string England side conceded an injury-time equaliser to draw 1-1 with Ghana at Wembley in the teams’ first ever meeting.

World Cup semi-finalist Uruguay scored three times in the first half to win 3-1 at Ireland, Italy won 2-0 at European Championship co-hosts Ukraine and France drew 0-0 with Croatia.

The Netherlands, who opened the scoring in the 13th through Robin van Persie, are still on course to qualify, but coach Bert van Marwijk lamented the defensive frailties of a side that reached last year’s World Cup final.

“You need to have discipline,” Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said. “We started well, scored a quick goal but then things changed. We kept losing the ball unnecessarily.”

The Netherlands, who last week beat Hungary 4-0 with their crisp passing game, produced a disjointed performance and struggled to counter the a well-organised Hungarian attack.

Spain’s quick-passing game was slowed by a poor pitch in Kaunas, but the favourites were always in control.

“It was an important result today, especially with the state of the field, which was woeful,” Xavi said after helping Spain to their 11th straight competitive win.

“We reached our objective, so we can go forward happy… the team played a complete game.”

Xavi’s shot hit Andrius Skerla and deflected into the net to put Spain ahead in the 19th minute, and the World Cup holders created several more chances through Fernando Llorente’s ability to hold up the ball.

Goalkeeper Zydrunas Karcemarskas again saved from Llorente at the start of the second half before Marius Stankevicius fired through a crowd of players from outside the area for a 57th-minute equalizer.

But Spain quickly responded and Xavi set Mata free down the wing before Lithuania defender Tomas Razanauskas guided the substitute’s pass into his own goal in the 70th. Mata, who had replaced Cazorla, then slipped a low shot from the left past Karcemarskas.

Defender Sergio Ramos came on in the 90th, the 24-year-old Real Madrid fullback becoming the youngest Spain player to reach 75 caps.

Spain’s 15 points puts it six ahead of the Czech Republic, who beat Liechtenstein 2-0.