Walcott the hat-trick hero as England grab their revenge over Croatia
Croatia 1 – England 4 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Croatia had a shot off-target in the 12th minute, Ivan Rakitic fired into the side-netting following a corner. But it was England who move ahead in the match as Theo Walcott fired across the keeper to find the far post in the 26th minute. Walcott almost scored a carbon copy of his goal, but his second attempt was dragged wide of the post. (First half highlights here.) England came out firing in the second half, Lampard’s free-kick was palmed away, but Croatia shot themselves in the foot when Kovac was sent off moments later. England then scored one of their best goal for year to make it two-nil. They held possession on the edge of the box, Lampard fired a ball into Heskey who controlled expertly, Rooney picked up the ball and played in Walcott with a peach of a pass and Walcott fired home number two. And it got better for the Three Lions, Ashley Cole’s tackle freed Jenas who burst down the left and his cut back was converted by Wayne Rooney. Frank Lampard had a goal chalked off, and the Croatians pulled a goal back through Mandzuki. But England wouldn’t be stopped and Rooney (fantastic game) controlled a ball beautifully in the middle of the pitc, fed Walcott, and the Arsenal youngster stole the show with his hat-trick goal.
Russia 2 – Wales 1 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Wales should have got ahead in Russia went Gareth Bale won a penalty, only to see his spot kick turned round the post by Igor Akinfeev. And the Welsh were made to suffer minutes later, Carl Robinson felled Zyrianov in the box and Roman Pavlyuchenko coolly slotted home from the spot. Bale made amends after the interval, crossing for Joe Ledley to equalise in the 67th minute. But Wales were eventually undone by Pogrebnyak who scored on the rebound after Hennessey pushed out a fierce shot.
Iceland 1 – Scotland 2 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Scotland took an early 18th minute lead away at Iceland when Kirk Broadfoot headed home a corner.
Northern Ireland 0 – Czech Republic 0 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Northern Ireland maintained their terrific Windsor Park record against the Czechs with a creditable draw.
Bosnia-Herzegovina 7 – Estonia 0 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Zvjezdan Misimovic scored a hat-trick.
Faroe Islands 0 – Romania 1 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Romania had defender Sorin Ghionea sent off in the 49th minute for violent conduct before Razvan Vasilic put them ahead with a low shot from outside the box ten minutes later.
Italy 2 – Georgia 0 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Italy moved ahead against Georgia with a stunning strike from De Rossi which ripped into the net. (First half highlights here.) De Rossi added a second in the second half, firing low fron the right hand side.
Finland 3 – Germany 3 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Jonatan Johansson got the first Finland goal after the German defence failed to clear a forward pass and he slotted the ball easily past Robert Enke. Five minutes later Klose replied after Sami Hyypia failed to control a pass. Finland regained the lead in the 43rd minute when Mika Vayrynen converted Daniel Sjolund’s pass but two minutes later Klose latched on to the ball after a mistake by goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. Sjolund’s header with little over half an hour to go gave Finland the lead for the third time but Klose earned Germany a point, bundling the ball home after a goalmouth scramble.
Spain 4 – Armenia 0 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Joan Capdevila fired the home side in front after only seven minutes, and soon after Euro 2008 top scorer David Villa doubled the lead as Spain threatened to cut loose. Xabi Alonso played in David Villa for his brace 11 minutes from time, and Senna wrapped up the win with a fine 25-yard drive, three minutes later.
Macedonia 1 – Holland 2 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) John Heitinga broke the deadlock just after the interval when he headed home a cross from Arjen Robben. Mark van Bommel set up Van der Vaart just before the hour mark and the playmaker doubled the lead with a fierce shot. Pandev pulled a goal back for the hosts from the spot.
France 2 – Serbia 1 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Thierry Henry led the way at the Stade de France, collecting a through ball by Sidney Govou to hit the back of the net with an angled shot from inside the area on 54 minutes. Sub Anelka doubled the advantage with a fine goal ten minutes later, twisting his way past two defenders to shoot home from the edge of the box. Serbia reduced the arrears with a header from a corner by Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic 14 minutes from time.
Portugal 2 – Denmark 3 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Nani opened the scoring after 42 minutes when he tapped home Hugo Almeida’s excellent cross from the left. The game then erupted in the final 10 minutes. Denmark levelled through Nicklas Bendtner in the 83rd minute before Portugal retook the lead three minutes later with a Deco penalty. Denmark equalised again in the 89th minute with a Christian Poulsen header and the Danes then grabbed all three points with Jensen’s deflected shot two minutes into stoppage time.
Turkey 1 – Belgium 1 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Wesley Sonck gave Belgium the lead in Turkey. Emre levelled with a second half penalty.
Kazakhstan 1 – Ukraine 3 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Two goals from Serhiy Nazarenko and another from Andriy Shevchenko brought Ukraine a 3-1 away win against Kazakhstan.
Latvia 0 – Greece 2 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Gekas scored the first goal in the 10th minute, picking up a cross from Giourkas Seitaridis to fire in a shot in from close range. Gekas sealed the win by heading in a cross from Vassilis Torosidis in the 49th.
Lithuania 2 – Austria 0 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Danilevicius struck twice in six second-half minutes as the home side maintained their 100% record with a comfortable victory.
Andorra 1 – Belarus 3 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Dzmitry Verkhovtsov set Belarus on the way in the 36th minute but Andorra struck back with a Marc Pujol penalty midway through the second half. Vitaly Rodionov put away Aleksandr Hleb’s pass to restore the visitors’ lead 12 minutes from time, and at the end Rodionov set up another substitute, Vyacheslav Hleb, for the third.
San Marino 0 – Poland 2 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) San Marino had a penalty saved after just three minutes when Arsenal’s Lukasz Fabianski stopped captain Andy Selva’s effort. Euzebiusz Smolarek broke the deadlock, tapping in on 36 minutes and the visitors had to wait until the 67th minute to double their advantage when Robert Lewandowski marked his debut with a goal.
Albania 3 – Malta 0 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Second-half goals from Erjon Bogdani, Klodian Duro and Armend Dallku gave Albania a comfortable win over Malta at the Qemal Stafa stadium.
Suriname 0 – El Salvador 2 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008)
North Korea 1 – South Korea 1 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) North Korea went ahead through a 64th minute penalty converted by Hong Yong Jo before South Korea’s Ki Sung Yueng leveled the score five minutes later.
U.A.E. 1 – Saudi Arabia 2 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008)
Uzbekistan 0 – Australia 1 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Australia broke the deadlock on 26 minutes when Scott Chipperfield headed home Luke Wilshire’s cross.
Qatar 1 – Bahrain 1 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008)
Chile 4 – Colombia 0 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Gonzalo Jara broke through for Chile after 26 minutes turning home a cross. Humberto Suazo made it 2-0 before the break and goals from Ismael Fuentes and Matias Fernandez completed the scoring for Chile.
Uruguay 0 – Ecuador 0 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008)
Peru 1 – Argentina 1 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Argentina snatched the lead with an Esteban Cambiasso goal in the 83rd minute. However, Johan Fano slid in the equaliser after a stunning 70-metre run by Juan Vargas in the fourth minute of injury time.
Brazil 0 – Bolivia 0 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) After Brazil’s excellent win at Chile on Sunday, Dunga’s side had a wake-up call with a disappointing draw against Bolivia. Fabio could have done better with a headed chance in the first-half and Bolivia themselves had chances but they were happy to settle for a point once Justiniano was sent-off for a foul on Robinho.
United States 3 – Trinidad & Tobago 0 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and Brian Ching with the goals.
Mexico 2 – Canada 1 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008) Second-half headers from Omar Bravo and Rafa Marquez secured the win for Sven’s side, Gerba pulled one back for Canada.
Honduras 2 – Jamaica 0 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008)
Guatemala 4 – Cuba 1 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008)
Haiti 1 – Costa Rica 3 (2010 World Cup qualifier, September 10, 2008)
***
Espanyol 5 – Santboia 1 (Catalonia Cup, September 9, 2008)
