Arsenal's Van Persie could face another lay-off after taking knock in Hungary thriller

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger faces an anxious wait to discover whether Robin van Persie faces another injury lay-off.

The striker was forced off with a knee injury before half time of Holland’s incredible 5-3 win over Hungary in their Euro 2012 Group E qualifying tie in Amsterda.

Van Persie had opened the scoring for Holland after 13 minutes but was forced to leave the field a minute before the interval following a late tackle by Vilmos Vanczak.

Injury worry: Van Persie opened the scoring for Holland but later went off injured

It would be a major blow for Wenger and his hopes of maintaining a challenge to Manchester United for the Barclays Premier League title if van Persie is out again. He has been troubled by injury all season, having missed two months before Christmas with an ankle problem.

Van Persie, who has suffered from knee problems in the past, was not too badly injured, according to Holland coach Bert Van Marwijk.

‘It didn’t look very serious but it was too painful for him to carry on as he was hit by a knee just above his own knee,’ the coach said.

Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt’s late double secured victory for Holland to give the Dutch a 14th consecutive victory in qualifying matches after Hungary hit back to draw level at 3-3 at one stage.

Spain made light of a cut up, muddy pitch to beat Lithuania 3-1 and maintain their perfect record in Group I in qualifying for Euro 2012.

Xavi fired the visitors in front with a shot that ballooned off a defender’s leg and over the keeper after 19 minutes.

Marius Stankevicius drilled a fierce long-range volley past Iker Casillas for a spectacular equaliser in the 57th minute and for a while the hosts looked as if they could unsettle the world and European champions.

An own-goal from Tabas Kijanskas restored Spain’s advantage in the 70th minute though and substitute Juan Mata sealed the victory with a fine finish seven minutes from time after being set up by Manchester City’s David Silva.

Three and easy: Spain celebrate sealing the points against Lithuania

Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun returned from a six-month injury layoff to come on as substitute for Israel as they beat Georgia 1-0 in a Group F qualifier with a goal by substitute striker Tal Ben Chaim.

It was Benayoun’s first action for club or country since injuring an Achilles in September.

Serbia, with Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic back in defence after missing the Northern Ireland game through injury, were held to a 1-1 draw in Estonia in their Group C qualifier after missing two sitters and then gifting the hosts their late equaliser after a blunder by goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic.

Away from Euro 2012, Australia pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over Germany in a friendly in Moenchengladbach . Mario Gomez had given a reshuffled German team the lead in the 26th minute before second half goals by David Carney and a David Wilkshire penalty enabled the Socceroos beat Germany for the first time in four matches.

‘We never expected such a result,’ said Australia’s German coach Holger Osieck. ‘I have great respect for Germany, regardless who is on field, they are all excellent players. We wanted to play well but we never thought about such a result.’

Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra and France colleague Franck Ribery were back in front of their home fans for the first time since receiving bans over their roles as ringleaders during the nation’s notorious World Cup strike.

They were both on the bench for the goalless draw against Croatia and there were boos when the stadium announcer read their names out quicker than usual.