Italy and Netherlands punch tickets to Brazil

Powerhouse squads earn early invitations to World Cup dance

Italy and the Netherlands became the first European teams to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, but Germany's passage to the finals in Brazil was delayed despite also winning on Tuesday.

Mario Balotelli's 54th-minute penalty secured a 2-1 win for Italy over the Czech Republic to seal first place in Group B, while Robin van Persie's second-half double in a 2-0 win at Andorra guaranteed the Dutch top spot in Group D.