Football: International round up
The international fixtures for World Cup 2014 qualifications had some interesting results. There were a few big matches yesterday and some of them produced unexpected results.
UEFA
The first big match was between Russia and Portugal in a UEFA Group 6 encounter, Russia defeated Portugal by a lone goal scored by Kerzhakov in the 6th minute. This was a disappointing result for the Portuguese. In the other UEFA qualifications Switzerland who defeated Spain in the 2010 World Cup drew with Norway, the score was 1-1. In Group 1, Croatia defeated Macedonia 2-1. Corluka and Rakitic scored the goals for Croatia. Belgium meanwhile trashed Serbia 3-0 with goals from Benteke, Kevin De Bryune and Mirallas. Wales defeated Scotland 2-1 after coming from behind. Gareth Bale scored both the goals for them, of which one was from the spot. The goals were scored late in the game in the 81st and 89th minute.
In Group 2, Czech Republic defeated Malta 3-1. Italy trashed Armenia 3-1 and Denmark drew with Bulgaria in a evenly contested match. In Group 3 Sweden defeated Faroe Islands 2-1 with the prolific scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic once again on the score cards. Germany meanwhile ran over Ireland with a score line of 6-1. Marco Reus and Toni Kroos scored a brace each for the Germans. Ozil scored one from the spot and veteran Klose scored one to round things up. Keogh scored a late consolation goal for the hosts in the 90th minute.
In Group 4 Turkey lost to Romania by a lone goal. Netherlands eased to victory by a 3-0 win over Andorra. Rafael van Der Vaart, Huntelaar and Schaken were the scorers.
In Group 8, England scored 5 to none against a weak San Marino side. Manchester United strikers Rooney and Welbeck both scored 2 goals each and Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade Chamberlain scored the 5th for the English. England went into the match without injured Frank Lampard, the suspended captain Steven Gerrard and first choice right back Glen Johnson. Theo Walcott suffered an injury early on in the match and had to be substituted. Rooney was the stand in Captain for the match. Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey got his maiden match for the 3 Lions yesterday.
In a Group 9 match Champions Spain defeated Belarus, 4-0. Barcelona winger Pedro scored a hat – trick and Barcelona left back Jordi Alba scored the opener.
CONMEBOL
The big match was between Argentina and Uruguay. The 2010 Semi – finalists failed to be of any kind of challenge to the Argentinians. Messi scored 2 and Agureo scored one as they ran 3-0 winners. Messi scored a brilliant free kick to get his second. Ecador defeated Chile 3-1, with Chile getting 2 red cards of which one was to Juventus player Arturo Vidal. Colombia defeated Paraguay 2-0 with a brace from the amazing Radamel Falacao. Bolivia drew 1-1 with Peru.
CONCACAF
USA defeated Antigua and Barbuda 2-1, Mexico trashed Guyana 5-0 and Costa Rica won 1-0 against El Savador.
In an International friendly match Japan defeated France 1-0 with a goal in the 88th minute.
Tags: CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, Football, International Round Up, UEFA, World Cup 2014
