11 Things We Learned from Tuesday's World Cup Qualifiers

Tuesday's second round of 2014 World Cup qualifiers saw much of the same from the big names expected to make a run for Brazil.

One blowout reigned supreme over all the others, while several nations continue to underachieve despite excellent performances just a few days ago. Other countries made amends for poor showings last Thursday, with hope now restored for some groups of fans.

As the opening round comes to a close, we noticed some interesting story lines that are sure to continue on and only get better throughout the remainder of qualifying over the better part of the next two years, before Brazil rolls out the red carpet for the best nations in the world.

Serbia absolutely unloaded on the Welsh National Team on Tuesday night with a 6-1 thrashing that saw seven different players hit the back of the net.

Gareth Bale was the lone goal scorer for the Dragons, who were slain unmercifully.

The Beli Orlovi are pushing strong to have a chance to make the trip to Brazil in 2014, and a few more results like Tuesday's could go a long way towards seeing that dream realized.

Spain may have made quick work of Saudi Arabia last Thursday in their 5-0 international friendly victory, but Tuesday's match against Georgia was not the same match.

The small far eastern European nation frustrated the defending World Champions and reigning European champions until late in the second half. Valencia striker Roberto Soldado rescued the victory from what looked like a match headed for a frustrating draw.

It could be a case of Olympic hangover, as several players in the squad were part of the London contingent of youngsters that crashed out of the summer tournament. There is also a chance that the national team's confidence was so high that they were a little too sure of their chance at victory.

England are another side that much like Spain got off to a strong start in this past weeks international matches. A 5-0 thrashing of Moldova saw the team come to life, but they were brought back to earth against a tough Ukrainian team at Wembley.

Giving the ball away and failure to link up well throughout the night saw Roy Hodgson's side frustrated to a 1-1 draw.

National team captain Steven Gerrard found himself sent off for two yellow cards. 

Jurgen Klinsmann claimed that his United States national team would not lose again this past weekend in reports from ESPN, and he made sure of it with the national team defeating Jamaica in Columbus, Ohio, thanks to a goal by Hercules Gomez.

It has been over a year since Robin van Persie saw time away from the game because of injury. However, that appears to have changed; he was forced off at halftime in the Netherlands' 4-1 victory over Hungary.

He will, hopefully, not be out for long; Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is sure to be unhappy.

Argentina has, without a doubt, one of the most talented National teams in the world. Their continued underachievement frustrates more than most international teams because of their amount of first rate stars.

Gonzalo Higuain rescued a draw against Peru to see the nation remain at the top of CONMEBOL in unconvincing fashion.

Japan got off to a solid start with a 1-0 victory over a tough Iraq national team. Ryoichi Maeda scored the lone goal for the Samurai, who hope to make their way to Brazil in 2014.

Bulgaria fought Armenia to a 1-0 victory amidst a flurry of untidy play and three red cards between the home side's Svetoslav Dyakov and Armenia's Marcos Pizelli and Gevorg Ghazaryan.

The Bulgarians have made an impressive start to their qualifying run and will hope to continue their strong performance.

Turkey and Romania look set to fight over the second place spot in UEFA Group 4, a group that is almost certain to be won by Holland despite their frustrations of late.

Turkey defeated Estonia 3-0, while the Romanians knocked off Andorra 4-0 to move ahead of Holland in their group.

Italy were slow to get off the mark, but their 2-0 victory over Malta saw them take the top place in their qualifying group that contains another strong competitor in Denmark.

The Azzurri continue to prove that they have the tools to once again make a run at the World Cup just as they did in 2006 when they defeated France in the final.

Fabio Capello continues his hot streak as the new Russian National team boss, as his side blitzed Israel 4-0 to take the top spot in their UEFA Qualifying group.

Portugal are tied on points for second on goal differential after their 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan.

Both nations look to be the ones to beat to the final places unless Northern Ireland or Israel can make an unprecedented run to a second place finish.