They were joined by holders Spain, who qualified with two games to spare after David Villa and Alvaro Negredo scored twice in a 6-0 drubbing of Liechtenstein.
Holland are virtually certain to join them and already-qualified Germany in the finals after recording their eighth consecutive victory.
England, too, are on the verge of reaching the finals after missing out on qualification for the 2008 tournament - a 1-0 home victory over Wales putting them six points clear of Montenegro in Group G.
Ashley Young's 35th-minute goal left England one point away from booking their place in the finals.
In Florence, Giampaolo Pazzini struck in the 85th minute to confirm Italy as winners of Group C with two games to spare.
Inter Milan striker Pazzini came on as part of a triple substitution by coach Cesare Prandelli as Italy laboured to break down a stubborn Slovenia side.
His goal put Italy eight points clear of Serbia, who face a battle with Estonia to claim the runners-up spot and a place in the play-offs. Serbia beat Faroe Islands 3-1 while Estonia thrashed Northern Ireland 4-1.
The Dutch beat Finland 2-0 but they theoretically still need a point at home to Moldova next month before they can firm up their travel arrangements, because both Sweden and Hungary are six points behind with two matches left.
Kevin Strootman and Luuk de Jong were on target for the world's top-ranked nation to leave Sweden, who won 5-0 against San Marino, and Hungary, 2-0 winners in Moldova, battling for the runners-up spot.
Spanish striker Negredo put the world champions ahead in the 34th minute and added a second three minutes later before a sweetly-struck Xavi free-kick gave the home side a 3-0 lead at half-time.
A rare goal from full-back Sergio Ramos and two more from Spain's all-time top scorer Villa completed the rout.
France edged closer to the finals with a 0-0 draw against Romania in Group D, although they still have work to do after Bosnia pulled to within a point of Laurent Blanc's side with a 1-0 win against Belarus.
Croatia moved a point above Greece at the top of Group F thanks to a 3-1 home victory against Israel while Greece could manage only a 1-1 draw in Latvia.
Group H is still too close to call with three sides on 13 points after Denmark beat Nordic rivals Norway 2-0. Portugal top the group on goal difference.
ORIGINAL SOURCE
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