It was an amazing and farcical week of international football across Europe with some stunning comebacks, managers under severe pressure to deliver results and lots of heavy rain.
England had to wait until Wednesday to play Poland after a downpour caused the pitch in Warsaw’s National Stadium to be waterlogged.
Despite the stadium having a roof on it, the refusal to close it meant the pitch quickly became totally unplayable. The game was rescheduled to a 4pm kick-off on Wednesday, finishing 1-1.
The Three Lions will have been disappointed to not collect the three points in Group H but will have been delighted to see one of their main rivals drop points again.
Germany blow it
Ukraine were beaten 1-0 at home by Montenegro which leaves their hopes of qualification hanging by a thread.
The most amazing fightback happened in Group C where Germany threw away a four goal lead for the first time in their history.
Coasting in Berlin at 4-0 up against Sweden, they somehow allowed the Scandinavians back into the match in the last half hour.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mikael Lustig and Johan Elmander all found the target in the space of 14 minutes and a dramatic 93rd minute equaliser from midfielder Rasmus Elm stunned the deflated Germans, who lost their 100 per cent record.
Afterwards, German coach Joachim Loew said: “I can find no explanation as to how we let a 4-0 lead slip out of our hands.
“It’s deathly quiet in the changing room. Players are laid out on the benches and are totally speechless.”
The pressure is still on Giovanni Trapattoni despite an expectant victory for the Republic of Ireland.
Second half goals from Marc Wilson, Jonathan Walters, an own goal and Darren O’Dea helped the Irish to a vital 4-1 away victory in the Faroe Islands.
Despite the victory, there is still speculation that Trapattoni will be relieved of his duties before the next World Cup qualifier.
Fantastic draw for Northern Ireland
Perhaps the result of the night was Northern Ireland’s fantastic 1-1 draw in Lisbon with Portugal in Group F.
Niall McGinn scored a terrific opener in soaking wet conditions for the underdogs and the Portuguese needed former Tottenham misfit Helder Postiga to rescue them a point 11 minutes from time.
Afterwards, Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill praised his hard-working side after a terrific performance, spoiling Cristiano Ronaldo’s 100th cap for his country.
He said: “This is as difficult a place as there is to come. We are disappointed to only come away with a point.
“Credit (to) the players, their desire and work rate was magnificent.
“The togetherness and spirit in the squad is unquestionable. The boys all worked for each other and we soaked up the pressure well.”
Fabio Capello maintained his 100 per cent qualifying record with Russia as they recorded a late 1-0 home victory over a plucky Azerbaijan side.
In the big showdown in Group I, world champions Spain were held to a late 1-1 draw by France.
Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saved a Cesc Fabregas penalty after Sergio Ramos had given the Spanish the lead.
However, Didier Deschamps side showed a lot of character which has been evidently missing from previous French sides.
Arsenal attacker Olivier Giroud scored a stoppage time leveller to earn them a valuable and worthy point and end the Spanish run of 24 consecutive qualifying victories in the European Championships and World Cup.
Levein hanging on by a thread
Craig Levein will do well to hold onto his Scotland job as his side slipped to the bottom of Group A after another defeat.
They lost 2-0 in Belgium, holding out until 69 minutes before being broken down by goals from Christian Benteke and Vincent Kompany.
The SFA have indicated they will discuss Levein’s future in a matter of days.
Wales’s chances of progression look unlikely too after they lost 2-0 in Croatia. Manager Chris Coleman was unhappy about the condition of the pitch.
He told BBC Wales: “When we checked it (the pitch) out, it was very heavy at one end.
“It was the same for both teams don’t get me wrong, but we were very lucky it didn’t rain.”
Serbia slipped to a second successive defeat after surprisingly being beaten 1-0 away in Macedonia.
2006 World Cup winners Italy have complete control of Group B after overcoming Denmark 3-1.
Mario Balotelli was amongst the goalscorers for the Azzuri, although strike partner Pablo Osvaldo was sent off.
And in Group G, a hard-working Greece side took command of a closely-fought group after a 1-0 away win in Slovakia.
2014 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS – RESULTS FROM TUESDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2012
GROUP A
Belgium 2-0 Scotland
Croatia 2-0 Wales
FYR Macedonia 1-0 Serbia
GROUP B
Czech Republic 0-0 Bulgaria
Italy 3-1 Denmark
GROUP C
Austria 4-0 Kazakhstan
Faroe Islands 1-4 Republic of Ireland
Germany 4-4 Sweden
GROUP D
Andorra 0-1 Estonia
Hungary 3-1 Turkey
Romania 1-4 Holland
GROUP E
Albania 1-0 Slovenia
Cyprus 1-3 Norway
Iceland 0-2 Switzerland
GROUP F
Israel 3-0 Luxembourg
Portugal 1-1 Northern Ireland
Russia 1-0 Azerbaijan
GROUP G
Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-0 Lithuania
Latvia 2-0 Liechtenstein
Slovakia 0-1 Greece
GROUP H
Poland 1-1 England (Match postponed on Tuesday due to a waterlogged pitch, played instead on Wednesday, 17 October)
San Marino 0-2 Moldova
Ukraine 0-1 Montenegro
GROUP I
Belarus 2-0 Georgia
Spain 1-1 France
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
Comments
Post a Comment