Italy remained perfect without Mario Balotelli. The Netherlands, meanwhile, still appear to be in a post-World Cup slump. Giorgio Chiellini accounted for all three goals in Italy’s 2-1 win over Azerbaijan in European Championship qualifying Friday and World Cup semifinalist Netherlands laboured to a surprisingly hard-earned 3-1 victory over 10-man Kazakhstan.

Also, World Cup quarterfinalist Belgium held target practice for a 6-0 victory over tiny Andorra. Elsewhere, Croatia won 1-0 at Bulgaria and is level with Italy atop Group H.

The Czech Republic beat Turkey 2-1 in Istanbul and Iceland won 3-0 in Latvia to remain atop Group A. Wales took the Group B lead by one point over Cyprus, Israel and Belgium after holding Bosnia-Herzegovina to a 0-0 draw in Cardiff.

Defender Renat Abdulin gave 127th-ranked Kazakhstan a shock lead at the Amsterdam Arena with a powerful 17th-minute header from a poorly-defended corner and the Netherlands had an anxious wait until the 62nd minute when substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar levelled.

A deflected 82nd-minute shot by Ibrahim Afellay, who started his first international in nearly two years, put the Dutch ahead before Robin van Persie’s penalty in the last minute of regulation time secured the three points and coach Guus Hiddink’s first win in three matches since taking over from Louis van Gaal after the World Cup. In Istanbul, Umut Bulut gave Turkey the lead in the eighth minute but defender Tomas Sivok levelled seven minutes later when he headed in a corner. Borek Dockal gave the Czechs victory with a neat finish just before the hour mark.

Group B is wide open after Friday’s matches with Wales taking the lead with four points from two games after a tough goalless draw at home against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Belgium and Israel both opened their campaign with victories to join Cyprus on three points. Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens scored two goals each for Belgium and Divock Origi and Nacer Chadli added the rest to give the victory a special World Cup flavour since most of the scorers were instrumental in Brazil.