England save face with last gasp draw; Henrik Larsson scores a wonder goal

England 2 - Czech Republic 2 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) After Milan Baros had put the Czech Republic in front (thanks to a deflection off Ashley Cole), Wes Brown equalised heading in a Beckham corner at the near post for his first England goal. (First-half highlights here.) Three minutes after the break Jankulovski put the Czechs in front again with a great free-kick. After yet another disappointing Three Lions performance, Joe Cole scambled home the equaliser in the 90th minute.

Denmark 0 - Spain 3 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008) Fernando Torres teed up Liverpool team mate Xabi Alonso to put the reigning European Champions one-up five minutes after the break against Denmark. Xavi scored the second with a lovely curling right-footed effort and on the stroke of full-time Xabi Alonso scored his second of the night following a lightning move culminating in a Capel cross and the Liverpool midfielder finished well. (First-half highlights here.)

Sweden 2 - France 3 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008) Henrik Larsson put Sweden ahead in the fifth minutes with a brilliant flying scissor kick that arrowed into the bottom corner - what a legend. Karim Benzema equalised in the 19th minute from a Sagna cross. France took the lead through Sidney Govou, who finished off a swift counter-attack, and Govou added the third after collecting a magnificent flick from Theirry Henry. Kim Kallstrom pulled a goal back from the spot.

Italy 2 - Austria 2 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008) Marcelo Lippi returned as manager of Italy and saw his team go 2-0 down thanks to goals from Pogatetz and Janko. But the Azzurri hit back with goals from Gilardino and an Ozcan og.

Germany 2 - Belgium 0 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008) A penalty from stand-in captain Bastian Schweinsteiger and a coolly taken goal from youngster Marko Marin gave Germany the win.

Norway 1 - Ireland 1 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008) After a slow start the visitors took the lead through skipper Robbie Keane’s predatory 44th-minute strike. However, substitute goalkeeper Dean Kiely’s error 16 minutes after the break handed Tore Reginiussen an equaliser.

Russia 1 - Holland 1 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008) Robin van Persie put the Dutch in front with a terrific left-footed curling effort. Zyrianov equalised from the penalty spot with twelve minutes to go.

Portugal 5 - Faroe Islands 0 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008) Portugal only scored once in the first half, Martins followed up his initial shot to see his strike deflect into the net. Simao added a second minutes after the restart with a flying header. In the final stages Portugal added thee more goals, Nani’s cross was turned home by Duda at the back post, Bruno Alves smashed home the fourth from a corner, and Nani finally got on the scoresheet with a shot from inside the box.

Slovenia 2 - Croatia 3 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008)

Bosnia 1 - Bulgaria 2 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008) Dimitar Berbatov got both goals for Bulgaria, Ibrcic pulled one back for the home side.

Ukraine 1 - Poland 0 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008) Kravchenko headed the only goal of the game in the 45th minute.

Switzerland 4 - Cyprus 1 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008) Valentin Stocker and Hakan Yakin both netted headers to put the hosts 2-up. Cyprus pulled a goal back through Konstantinos Makridis 10 minutes before the break, but in the second half Alain Nef and Johan Vonlanthen added further goals to give Ottmar Hitzfeld a winning start as the new Swiss boss.

Turkey 1 - Chile 0 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008) Hamit Altintop scored the only goal of the game.

Belarus 0 - Argentina 0 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008)

Japan 1 - Uruguay 3 (International Friendly, August 20, 2008)

***

Armenia 2 - Turkey 1 (Euro Under-21 qualifier, August 20, 2008)

Wales 0 - Romania 1 (Euro Under-21 qualifier, August 20, 2008)