New Delhi: European football powerhouses had a satisfying outing on Wednesday night during their Euro 2008 qualifiers.
Italy remained in the second spot in Group B defeating Lithuania 2-0.
Fabio Quagliarella's twin strikes on his first start for the Azzuri sunk Lithuania. The result also kept Italy in second spot as they head towards September's home clash with leaders France.
Sampdoria striker Quagliarella lashed home from the edge of the penalty area with his left foot in the 31st minute after cutting inside from the right wing.
The 23-year-old, only a late substitute in his previous two appearances, then scored with a delightful dipping effort on the stroke of half-time to settle Italy's nerves after a difficult start.
In the other match of Group B France's Samir Nasri netted his first international goal in his third appearance to earn his team a 1-0 home victory over Georgia as the World Cup finalists remained top of group.
The Olympique Marseille midfielder, voted the league's best young player this season and superb in Saturday's 2-0 win over Ukraine, struck in the 33rd-minute of a one-sided contest.
France now have 18 points from seven games and lead second-placed Italy by two points. Raymond Domenech's side, who were without captain Patrick Vieira and top striker Thierry Henry, next travel to Italy on September 8.
David Beckham had a great time and set up two goals to steer England to a morale-boosting 3-0 win over Estonia that put their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign firmly back on track.
Joe Cole gave England the lead with a crisp half-volley before Beckham set up Peter Crouch for the second in the 54th minute and then lined up Michael Owen for the third in the 62nd.
The victory takes England to 14 points from seven games, one point behind Russia, who drew 0-0 in Croatia. Israel, 2-0 winners in Andorra, have 17 from eight with Croatia top on 17, also from seven matches.
PAGE_BREAK
Croatia, too, stayed on course to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals and extended their unbeaten home run to 32 competitive matches after a 0-0 draw with Russia in their Group E qualifiers.
The Croatians, who have never lost a European Championship or World Cup qualifier at home, top the group with 17 points from seven matches, ahead on goal difference of Israel who have played a game more.
Third-placed Russia, on 15 points from seven games, and England, in fourth on 14 from seven, are also very much in the hunt ahead of what Russia's coach Guus Hiddink believes will be their crucial double-header in September and October.
Germany, however, did not have it easy and scraped a 2-1 win over Slovakia to move five points clear in Group D and take another stride towards qualifying for Euro 2008.
Germany took an early lead when Jan Durica put the ball into his own net, under pressure from Miroslav Klose, but another own-goal, this time from Christoph Metzelder, levelled the scores in the 20th minute.
Thomas Hitzlsperger headed Germany back in front two minutes before half-time and the tiring home side held on in a poor second half to maintain their unbeaten record with six wins and a draw from their seven matches.
Germany lead the group with 19 points, with the Czech Republic second on 14 and Ireland third a point further back. Slovakia, who needed a win to get back in the hunt, are fourth on nine.
All results:
Group A: Armenia 1, Poland 0; Finland 2, Belgium 0; Kazakhstan 1, Azerbaijan 1.Group B: Faeroe Islands 0, Scotland 2; France 1, Georgia 0; Lithuania 0, Italy 2. Group C: Bosnia-Herzegovina 1, Malta 0; Greece 2, Moldova 1; Norway 4, Hungary 0. Group D: Germany 2, Slovakia 1. Group E: Andorra 0, Israel 2; Croatia 0, Russia 0; Estonia 0, England 3. Group F: Latvia 0, Denmark 2; Liechtenstein 0, Spain 2; Sweden 5, Iceland 0. Group G: Bulgaria 2, Belarus 1; Luxembourg 0, Albania 3; Romania 2, Slovenia 0.
Comments
0 comment