Switzerland qualify

Alexander Frei converted an early penalty to give Kobi Kuhn's side some daylight before Tuncay Sanli and Hakan Sukur put the hosts ahead.

Necati added a penalty early into the second-half to put the Turks within a goal of qualification, but Marco Streller pulled one back late on.

Tuncay netted a second into injury time, but the Swiss held on to book their place in Germany next year.

The baying crowd at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium was momentarily silenced in the second minute when Alpay Ozalan handballed inside the area and Frei sent Volkan Demirel the wrong way to give the Swiss a shock lead.

But the home side dominated from then, and got a well-deserved equaliser in the 22nd minute when Tuncay headed a deep free-kick from Emre Belozoglu into the roof of the net.

With the Turks spurred on by a wall of noise from the home fans, Fatih Terim's side went 2-1 ahead just before half-time, veteran striker Hakan Sukur nodding in an Ergun Penbe free-kick at the far post.

And just six minutes into the second half, the hosts scored a third - Necati slotted home a penalty after Serhat Aki had gone down theatrically in the box - and Istanbul was preparing itself for a huge night of celebrations.

With Turkey just a goal away from a remarkable comeback, the match - already incredibly physical - started to turn ugly. Referee Frank de Bleeckere appeared to lose control over the game, with the Turkish players surrounding the Belgian official after each decision against them.

And in a succession of yellow cards against both sides, Turkish subsitute Tuemer Metin was fortunate to escape with just a caution after stamping on Tranquillo Barnetta following his initial challenge on Daniel Gygax.

But as Turkey pressed forward in search of a winner, Switzerland caught them on the counter-attack, and Streller rounded Volkan before slotting the ball into an open net to put the Swiss back into the aggregate lead.

With just injury-time remaining, Tuncay latched on to a Hakan Sukur nod on to head the ball home, but Switzerland held on to book their place in the World Cup finals.

The visitors were forced to run into the dressing rooms when the final whistle was blown, with objects being thrown from the angry home supporters.

Terim paid tribute to his side, but vented his fury at the officials, who he blamed for the exit.

"You have to congratulate our players after they fell 1-0 behind," he told Turkish television.

"I say well done to them (Switzerland) but I have never seen two such immoral referees both here and there.

"Some of our players lost their concentration and as a result we conceded two goals."