Denmark accounted for Austria 1-0 at home to ensure they top Group F and advance to the finals - with Scotland seven points adrift in second courtesy of their dramatic victory over the Faroe Islands.

The Scots needed a controversial 86th-minute goal by Dykes to consolidate their place in the standings.

It took some time for VAR to verify Dykes' goal as it looked to come off either his chest or hand, with TV replays inconclusive.

Dykes has now scored in four internationals in a row - the first player to do so for Scotland in 52 years.

"It's great hearing stuff like that," Dykes told Sky Sports.

"I am feeling really good in myself. I felt I could score goals and at the moment everything is just happening for me."

In Copenhagen, Joakim Maehle netted the winner in the 53rd minute as the Danes made it eight wins from as many starts.

They have scored 27 goals and conceded none to be the only side in UEFA qualifying with a 100 per cent record.

The Euro 2020 semi-finalists join Germany - who clinched their berth a day earlier - and directly entered hosts Qatar, with two games to spare for what will be their sixth World Cup finals.

Israel downed Moldova 2-1 to be in third place, four points adrift of the Scots.

Only the group winners from European qualifying advance directly while the runners-up enter the playoffs.

England took another, somewhat faltering, step towards World Cup qualification with a 1-1 draw against Hungary at Wembley to stay top of Group I with two games remaining.

The visitors went ahead with a Roland Sallai penalty after 24 minutes, with England equalising in the 37th through John Stones.

Poland edged hosts Albania 1-0 - in a game that was briefly halted after objects were thrown ontp the pitch - to sit three points behind England, who have games against Albania and San Marino next month to round out their qualifiers.

A 58th career hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo - his 10th in internationals - helped Portugal thump Luxembourg 5-0 to remain a point behind Group A leaders Serbia, who defeated Azerbaijan 3-1 but have played one game more.

Ronaldo scored twice from the penalty spot in the first half before he rounded out the night with a headed goal - his 115th for the national team in 182 appearances.

Elsewhere in European qualifying, Sweden beat Greece 2-0 to move to the top of Group B on 15 points, two ahead of Spain with two games left to play.

Switzerland won 4-0 at Lithuania to join Group C leaders Italy on 14 points with two games remaining in their section.

With Group D leaders France inactive, Finland accounted for Kazakhstan 2-0 to close to within a point of second-placed Ukraine, who could only draw 1-1 at home with Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Australian Associated Press