With European leagues on hold for another week, a host of national teams competed in the first leg of their playoff matches. Those who took a win away from home will have an upper hand come Wednesday’s final game, while the losers will have to pull off something remarkable if they are to have any hope of reaching South Africa next year.

Let’s take a look at the best the weekend had to offer.

New Zealand (1) vs. Bahrain (0): New Zealand secured just their second spot in a World Cup, and their first since 1982, with a tight victory over their Asian opponents, Bahrain. After stealing a goalless draw away from home in the first leg, the All Whites were in the best possible position to claim victory.

The game was a mixed bag, with flashes of brilliance and plenty of missed opportunities. Bahrain knew that they could claim a win on away goals with any sort of draw other than 0-0, but simply failed to the find the target.

The breakthrough came just before halftime when a New Zealand corner allowed an unmarked Rory Fallon to smash his team into the lead. However, after the break a contentious penalty was given, and the Asian qualifiers were already celebrating. But their exuberance was misplaced, as was their penalty attempt, and they never truly recovered after that. When the final whistle blew, some 35,000 New Zealand fans were celebrating a monumental victory.

Russia (2) vs. Slovenia (1): Russia made the most of their home advantage with a 2-1 victory over Slovenia, but their opponents took an away goal for their troubles, allowing for an intriguing second fixture this Wednesday.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov scored twice for the Russians on either side of halftime. The Everton winger has had trouble putting the ball away for his national team, scoring only two goals from 30 matches previously, but the 24-year-old found his form against Slovenia and gave Guus Hiddink’s side a much-deserved victory.

A late consolation goal for Nejc Pecnik gives Slovenia some hope, but they may consider themselves lucky for only being a point behind the powerful Russian outfit.

Republic of Ireland (0) vs. France (1): The 1998 World Champions moved one step closer to South Africa with a hard-fought away win against Ireland. France mimicked their recent form by proving that they could set up plenty of chances, but had a hard time putting any of them away.

After an opening half dominated by France, Ireland came out all guns blazing in the second. However, after Nicolas Anelka put his side into the lead, the wind simply went out of Ireland’s sails. They must be considered massive underdogs to beat France away from home on Wednesday.

Portugal (1) vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (0): In a match where they had to do without their services of their captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal managed to pull off a convincing 1-0 victory over tough opposition.

With the first half providing plenty of opportunities for both squads, it was Portugal who struck first, with defender Bruno Alves grabbing his fifth national team goal. Bosnia-Herzegovina had enough chances, and enough talent, to get back on level terms, but their emotions got the best of them, and four yellow cards meant that they had to change their tactics to avoid conceding a second time.

Portugal are by no means home and hosed yet, but an away goal in Bosnia would certainly go a long way to guaranteeing them a spot in South Africa.

BetUS has posted odds on every second-leg match, so head on over and make a wager on your favorite club; regular European football resumes this weekend.

France: -200
Draw: +275
Republic of Ireland: +575

Ukraine: -120
Draw: +225
Greece: +325

Bosnia-Herzegovina: +200
Draw: +220
Portugal: +130

Slovenia: +200
Draw: +220
Russia: +130

Uruguay: -225
Draw: +275
Costa Rica: +650