PARIS: Former champions France and 2006 semifinalists Portugal were struggling to keep their 2010 World Cup dreams on track on Saturday as Europe’s major powers toiled on the rocky road to South Africa.

France, the 1998 winners and runners-up just two years ago, came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Romania to leave them in fourth place in Group Seven.

Portugal, who lost to Denmark at home in their last qualifier, could only draw 0-0 in Sweden, a result which put them third in Group One, three points behind the Danes.

Euro 2008 winners Spain also made it three wins in three as a 3-0 victory in Estonia kept them clear in Group Five.

Greece, the European champions in 2004, beat Moldova 3-0 to also stay perfect at the top of Group Two while the Netherlands are the only other nation with maximum points after a 2-0 home win against Iceland.

The future of France coach Raymond Domenech was left hanging in the balance after his team’s 2-2 draw in Constanta.

Florentin Petre and Dorin Goian scored a goal a piece in a dominant first half to leave the hosts with the advantage before Franck Ribery pulled one back for ‘Les Bleus’ in the 36th minute.

It took until the 69th minute for France to draw level thanks to a stunning drive from Yoann Gourcuff. “I was worried in the first 15 minutes,” admitted Domenech who had to shuffle his team when skipper Patrick Vieira was injured in the warm-up.

“But I liked the spirit we showed in the second half and we proved that we have a future in qualifying,” he added.

Only the nine group winners are assured of places in the finals with the eight best runners-up facing a play-off.

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed Portugal’s defeat to Denmark last month because of a knee injury, returned in Stockholm but was unable to inspire victory in a 0-0 draw.

“This wasn’t an easy match. But it was a good result and I feel fine after my injury,” he said.

Italy put their injury concerns to one side to carve out a 0-0 draw against Bulgaria. The point gave Marcello Lippi’s team seven points from their three games in Group Eight.

Spain cruised to a 3-0 win over Estonia to maintain their 100-percent record after three matches in Group 5 as Juanito, David Villa, with a penalty, and Carlos Puyol found the net.

Scotland’s qualification from Group Nine hangs in the balance after a goalless draw against Norway at Hampden.

The Dutch top the section, and have a two-point lead, after a 2-0 win over Iceland with Joris Mathijsen and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on target.

In Group Three, Poland, put their political problems behind them with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic while Slovenia are tied for the lead after a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland.