ENGLAND moved back to the top of Euro 2012 Group G with an comfortable 2-0 win over Wales at the Cardiff Millennium Stadium.
Frank Lampard converted a penalty and Darren Bent scored a tap-in to leave the match over as a contest after barely 15 minutes.
The Welsh dragon failed to roar and the players in red started nervously in front of the 68,959 crowd.
James Collins made the first critical mistake on seven minutes, slipping before clumsily bringing down Aston Villa team-mate Ashley Young in the box.
And once Lampard sent Wayne Hennessey the wrong way from 12 yards, the dye in this match had been cast.
The lead was doubled within quarter of an hour when Glen Johnson played a rasping pass to Young who whipped the ball to Bent who applied the finish.
Three touches and it was in the net - this was clinical stuff from England who had adopted a 4-3-3 formation with Wayne Rooney and Young flanking Bent.
It was disappointing, then, that England's performance somewhat denigrated as the match wore on and the possibility of handing out a thrashing was passed up.
Still, the victory returns Fabio Capello's men to the summit of the qualifying group, level on 10 points with Montenegro but with a superior goal difference.
Switzerland and Bulgaria remain third and fourth in the group on just four points after they cancelled each other out in a drab 0-0 draw in Sofia.
And Wales' fourth successive defeat of this qualifying leaves them bottom without a point and the size of the unenviable task for new manager Gary Speed is clear for all to see.
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland's chances of making it to the finals took a hit after a 2-1 defeat away to Serbia on Friday night.
Nigel Worthington's men had looked to take advantage of the fact that there were no home fans in the ground following the violence which caused Serbia's last qualifier against Italy to be abandoned.
Indeed, it looked to be going to plan when Gareth McAuley looped a header in from Chris Brunt's free-kick.
But, amid an eerie atmosphere, the 240 Northern Irish fans who were allowed to attend saw a second-half comeback from the home side in Belgrade.
Marko Pantelic restored parity with a 65th-minute shot before Zoran Tosic won it for the hosts late on.
Northern Ireland have a chance to redeem themselves on Tuesday when their Group C campaign continues with a home match against Slovenia.
However, Italy have now taken control of the group after they beat the Slovenians 1-0 in Ljubljana through a Thiggo Motta goal.
The narrow win means Italy have 13 points from five games, six clear of Slovenia and Serbia. Estonia are fourth on six points from four games with Northern Ireland down in fifth with five points from four matches.
The Republic of Ireland's chances of making it to the finals are in rather better shape after they secured a 2-1 home win over FYR Macedonia in Dublin.
Just like England earlier in the day, the Irish controlled the first part of the game and they were 2-0 up in 21 minutes.
Indeed, it took Aiden McGeady just 84 seconds to open the scoring with a low strike that goalkeeper Edin Nuredoniski should have saved.
Nuredoniski was at fault again for the Irish second after he failed to hold Darron Gibson's free-kick, enabling Robbie Keane to pounce for his 46th international goal.
At this stage, it was all too easy for Ireland and Shane Long should have made it 3-0 but he sliced wide with only Nuredoniski to beat.
But Giovanni Trappatoni's men got a rude awakening just before half-time when Ivan Trickovski turned Richard Dunne too easily and slotted the ball past Keiran Westwood.
In the second period, the Irish had to be on their guard against a Macedonia team ever increasing in confidence.
Goran Pandev volleyed wide in the opening minutes of the half but it was a Westwood save from Trickovski towards the end which ensured the points would go to Ireland.
At the halfway stage in Group B, Republic of Ireland are on 10 points alongside Slovakia - who squeezed home 1-0 against rock-bottom Andorra - and Russia who were held in Armenia.
While it would be a brave man to predict the outcome of that group, the identity of some of the qualifiers is already looking quite clear.
Defending champions Spain lead Group I by six points after they beat their closest rivals Czech Republic 2-1.
Barcelona striker David Villa became Spain's all-time leading scorer with two goals to put himself on 44 international goals, two clear of Raul with whom he was previously level.
The Czechs had threatened an upset in Granada after Jaroslav Plasil gave them a half-time lead but two Villa goals in four second-half minutes ensured the World Cup holders would retain their 100% record.
Scotland, who are in this section but not playing competitively in March, are in third place on four points, eight behind the Spanish.
Meanwhile, Germany - beaten finalists in Euro 2008 - lead Group A by eight points after an easy 4-0 home win over Kazakhstan.
Braces from Miroslav Klose and Thomas Mueller meant the Germans' grip on their 100% record was never in danger of being lost in Kaiserslautern.
The Nationalmannschaft were also helped by Austria's 2-0 home defeat to Belgium. The Belgians now leapfrog the Austrians into second place but both sides on seven points are well behind Joachim Loew's leaders.
France appear to be in control of Group D after an unconvincing 2-0 win in Luxembourg gave them 12 points from five matches, a four-point lead over Belarus and Albania.
Albania beat Belarus 1-0 in Tirana today but it is fair to say that the unusual identity of France's challengers says everything about the disappointing campaigns of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania.
Bosnia inflicted further woe on the Romanians by beating them 2-1 in Sarajevo and leaving them with just two points from four matches.
Romania finished fifth in their qualifying group for World Cup 2010 and there are now genuine fears that the same fate may befall them in this competition.
Another east European nation now staring into the wilderness are Hungary after their 4-0 home defeat to the Netherlands left them six points adrift of the Dutch in Group E.
Rafael van der Vaart, Ibrahim Affelay, Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie got the goals as Netherlands retained their 100% record in the Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest.
Hungary remain second in the group for now but Sweden are much more a threat to the Oranje, currently third on six points but with two games in hand on the Dutch.
Group F and Group H are shaping up to be three-horse battles in the second part of the campaign.
Euro 2004 champions Greece lead Croatia by a point in Group F with Temuri Ketsbaia's Georgia just a further point behind.
The unbeaten Georgians pulled off another shock with a 1-0 win over Croatia allowing Greece to take the lead in the group after their late 1-0 win over Malta.
The Group H table is still led by Norway after Erik Huseklepp snatched a late leveller in a 1-1 home draw with Denmark.
The Danes had taken the lead in the first half through a brilliant volley by Dennis Rommedahl but they could not hold onto their advantage in Oslo.
Egil Olsen's Norwegians are on 10 points from five games, three clear of Denmark and Portugal who usually improve in the second half of the qualifying stages.
Frank Lampard converted a penalty and Darren Bent scored a tap-in to leave the match over as a contest after barely 15 minutes.
The Welsh dragon failed to roar and the players in red started nervously in front of the 68,959 crowd.
James Collins made the first critical mistake on seven minutes, slipping before clumsily bringing down Aston Villa team-mate Ashley Young in the box.
And once Lampard sent Wayne Hennessey the wrong way from 12 yards, the dye in this match had been cast.
The lead was doubled within quarter of an hour when Glen Johnson played a rasping pass to Young who whipped the ball to Bent who applied the finish.
Three touches and it was in the net - this was clinical stuff from England who had adopted a 4-3-3 formation with Wayne Rooney and Young flanking Bent.
It was disappointing, then, that England's performance somewhat denigrated as the match wore on and the possibility of handing out a thrashing was passed up.
Still, the victory returns Fabio Capello's men to the summit of the qualifying group, level on 10 points with Montenegro but with a superior goal difference.
Switzerland and Bulgaria remain third and fourth in the group on just four points after they cancelled each other out in a drab 0-0 draw in Sofia.
And Wales' fourth successive defeat of this qualifying leaves them bottom without a point and the size of the unenviable task for new manager Gary Speed is clear for all to see.
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland's chances of making it to the finals took a hit after a 2-1 defeat away to Serbia on Friday night.
Nigel Worthington's men had looked to take advantage of the fact that there were no home fans in the ground following the violence which caused Serbia's last qualifier against Italy to be abandoned.
Indeed, it looked to be going to plan when Gareth McAuley looped a header in from Chris Brunt's free-kick.
But, amid an eerie atmosphere, the 240 Northern Irish fans who were allowed to attend saw a second-half comeback from the home side in Belgrade.
Marko Pantelic restored parity with a 65th-minute shot before Zoran Tosic won it for the hosts late on.
Northern Ireland have a chance to redeem themselves on Tuesday when their Group C campaign continues with a home match against Slovenia.
However, Italy have now taken control of the group after they beat the Slovenians 1-0 in Ljubljana through a Thiggo Motta goal.
The narrow win means Italy have 13 points from five games, six clear of Slovenia and Serbia. Estonia are fourth on six points from four games with Northern Ireland down in fifth with five points from four matches.
The Republic of Ireland's chances of making it to the finals are in rather better shape after they secured a 2-1 home win over FYR Macedonia in Dublin.
Just like England earlier in the day, the Irish controlled the first part of the game and they were 2-0 up in 21 minutes.
Indeed, it took Aiden McGeady just 84 seconds to open the scoring with a low strike that goalkeeper Edin Nuredoniski should have saved.
Nuredoniski was at fault again for the Irish second after he failed to hold Darron Gibson's free-kick, enabling Robbie Keane to pounce for his 46th international goal.
At this stage, it was all too easy for Ireland and Shane Long should have made it 3-0 but he sliced wide with only Nuredoniski to beat.
But Giovanni Trappatoni's men got a rude awakening just before half-time when Ivan Trickovski turned Richard Dunne too easily and slotted the ball past Keiran Westwood.
In the second period, the Irish had to be on their guard against a Macedonia team ever increasing in confidence.
Goran Pandev volleyed wide in the opening minutes of the half but it was a Westwood save from Trickovski towards the end which ensured the points would go to Ireland.
At the halfway stage in Group B, Republic of Ireland are on 10 points alongside Slovakia - who squeezed home 1-0 against rock-bottom Andorra - and Russia who were held in Armenia.
While it would be a brave man to predict the outcome of that group, the identity of some of the qualifiers is already looking quite clear.
Defending champions Spain lead Group I by six points after they beat their closest rivals Czech Republic 2-1.
Barcelona striker David Villa became Spain's all-time leading scorer with two goals to put himself on 44 international goals, two clear of Raul with whom he was previously level.
The Czechs had threatened an upset in Granada after Jaroslav Plasil gave them a half-time lead but two Villa goals in four second-half minutes ensured the World Cup holders would retain their 100% record.
Scotland, who are in this section but not playing competitively in March, are in third place on four points, eight behind the Spanish.
Meanwhile, Germany - beaten finalists in Euro 2008 - lead Group A by eight points after an easy 4-0 home win over Kazakhstan.
Braces from Miroslav Klose and Thomas Mueller meant the Germans' grip on their 100% record was never in danger of being lost in Kaiserslautern.
The Nationalmannschaft were also helped by Austria's 2-0 home defeat to Belgium. The Belgians now leapfrog the Austrians into second place but both sides on seven points are well behind Joachim Loew's leaders.
France appear to be in control of Group D after an unconvincing 2-0 win in Luxembourg gave them 12 points from five matches, a four-point lead over Belarus and Albania.
Albania beat Belarus 1-0 in Tirana today but it is fair to say that the unusual identity of France's challengers says everything about the disappointing campaigns of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania.
Bosnia inflicted further woe on the Romanians by beating them 2-1 in Sarajevo and leaving them with just two points from four matches.
Romania finished fifth in their qualifying group for World Cup 2010 and there are now genuine fears that the same fate may befall them in this competition.
Another east European nation now staring into the wilderness are Hungary after their 4-0 home defeat to the Netherlands left them six points adrift of the Dutch in Group E.
Rafael van der Vaart, Ibrahim Affelay, Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie got the goals as Netherlands retained their 100% record in the Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest.
Hungary remain second in the group for now but Sweden are much more a threat to the Oranje, currently third on six points but with two games in hand on the Dutch.
Group F and Group H are shaping up to be three-horse battles in the second part of the campaign.
Euro 2004 champions Greece lead Croatia by a point in Group F with Temuri Ketsbaia's Georgia just a further point behind.
The unbeaten Georgians pulled off another shock with a 1-0 win over Croatia allowing Greece to take the lead in the group after their late 1-0 win over Malta.
The Group H table is still led by Norway after Erik Huseklepp snatched a late leveller in a 1-1 home draw with Denmark.
The Danes had taken the lead in the first half through a brilliant volley by Dennis Rommedahl but they could not hold onto their advantage in Oslo.
Egil Olsen's Norwegians are on 10 points from five games, three clear of Denmark and Portugal who usually improve in the second half of the qualifying stages.
EURO2012 Qualifying
Group-by-Group update
Group-by-Group update
GROUP A
Germany continue to dominate Group A after a 4-0 win against Kazakhstan. Austria, who were second in the group last week, dropped to fourth after successive 2-0 defeats to Belgium and Turkey. The Belgians made it two wins in a week with a fine 4-1 victory over Azerbaijan to move into second place. Turkey are third, a point behind but with a game in hand in the chase for a playoff place.
Austria 0-2 Belgium
Germany 4-0 Kazakhstan
Turkey 2-0 Austria
Belgium 4-1 Azerbaijan
GROUP B
Slovakia, Russia and Republic of Ireland are all on 10 points after the Russians dropped points while the Slovakians and the Irish sneaked wins. Armenia are still a threat in fourth place on eight points at the halfway stage.
Armenia 0-0 Russia
Andorra 0-1 Slovakia
Republic of Ireland 2-1 FYR Macedonia
GROUP C
Italy confirmed their control of Group C with a 1-0 win over Slovenia, a result which leaves the Azzurri five points clear at the top. Second place is up for grabs, though, after Tuesday's two draws. Slovenia and Serbia are both on eight points from six games with Estonia, in fourth on seven points from five games, and Northern Ireland, in fifth place on six points from five, still in touch.
Serbia 2-1 Northern Ireland
Slovenia 0-1 Italy
Estonia 1-1 Serbia
Northern Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
GROUP D
France hold a four-point lead at the top of Group D, ahead of surprise challengers Belarus and Albania. Bosnia-Herzegovina, currently in fourth, nonetheless remain favourites for second spot after their 2-1 win over Romania left them on seven points from four games - just a point behind the Belarussians and Albanians. Fifth-placed Romania beat Luxembourg 3-1 for their first win of another terrible campaign.
Luxembourg 0-2 France
Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 Romania
Albania 1-0 Belarus
Romania 3-1 Luxembourg
GROUP E
Scoring nine goals in the process, the Dutch did the double over Hungary this week to lead Group E after 18 points out of 18 so far in this qualifying campaign. Sweden took advantage of the Magyars' miserable week by moving second with a 2-1 win over Moldova. Both the Swedes and the Hungarians have nine points each but Sweden are in a better place to challenge the Dutch as they have two games in hand.
Hungary 0-4 Netherlands
Sweden 2-1 Moldova
Netherlands 5-3 Hungary
GROUP F
Either Greece or Croatia seem likely to end up as Group F winners but Israel and Georgia cannot be discounted. Euro 2004 winners Greece went top of the group after a late 1-0 win over Malta while Croatia were going down to a shock 1-0 defeat in Georgia. But the Georgians then lost 1-0 in Israel who moved third with their second home win of the week. Greece have 11 points from five games, Croatia 10 points from five, Israel 10 points from six, and Georgia nine points from six.
Georgia 1-0 Croatia
Israel 2-1 Latvia
Malta 0-1 Greece
Israel 1-0 Georgia
GROUP G
England moved top of Group G on goal difference above Montenegro who were not in competitive action this week. An easy 2-0 win over Wales helped Fabio Capello's men to 10 points from four games. Bulgaria and Switzerland cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw and both remain well adrift on just four points. Wales have yet to score a point.
Wales 0-2 England
Bulgaria 0-0 Switzerland
GROUP H
Norway scored a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Denmark to retain their three-point advantage at the top of Group H. The Norwegians have 10 points from four games, three ahead of the Danes and Portugal who did not play this week.
Cyprus 0-0 Iceland
Norway 1-1 Denmark
GROUP I
Spain stretched their lead at the top of Group I to six points with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic on Friday. David Villa scored twice to become Spain's highest international goalscorer in history. The Czechs recovered in midweek to beat Liechtenstein 2-0 but Spain won yet again, 3-1 in Lithuania, to retain their 100% record. Those wins for the top two are particularly bad news for Scotland who did not play this month. The Scots are now 11 points behind Spain and five behind the Czech Republic although they do have a game in hand.
Spain 2-1 Czech Republic
Czech Republic 2-0 Liechtenstein
Lithuania 1-3 Spain
Germany continue to dominate Group A after a 4-0 win against Kazakhstan. Austria, who were second in the group last week, dropped to fourth after successive 2-0 defeats to Belgium and Turkey. The Belgians made it two wins in a week with a fine 4-1 victory over Azerbaijan to move into second place. Turkey are third, a point behind but with a game in hand in the chase for a playoff place.
Austria 0-2 Belgium
Germany 4-0 Kazakhstan
Turkey 2-0 Austria
Belgium 4-1 Azerbaijan
GROUP B
Slovakia, Russia and Republic of Ireland are all on 10 points after the Russians dropped points while the Slovakians and the Irish sneaked wins. Armenia are still a threat in fourth place on eight points at the halfway stage.
Armenia 0-0 Russia
Andorra 0-1 Slovakia
Republic of Ireland 2-1 FYR Macedonia
GROUP C
Italy confirmed their control of Group C with a 1-0 win over Slovenia, a result which leaves the Azzurri five points clear at the top. Second place is up for grabs, though, after Tuesday's two draws. Slovenia and Serbia are both on eight points from six games with Estonia, in fourth on seven points from five games, and Northern Ireland, in fifth place on six points from five, still in touch.
Serbia 2-1 Northern Ireland
Slovenia 0-1 Italy
Estonia 1-1 Serbia
Northern Ireland 0-0 Slovenia
GROUP D
France hold a four-point lead at the top of Group D, ahead of surprise challengers Belarus and Albania. Bosnia-Herzegovina, currently in fourth, nonetheless remain favourites for second spot after their 2-1 win over Romania left them on seven points from four games - just a point behind the Belarussians and Albanians. Fifth-placed Romania beat Luxembourg 3-1 for their first win of another terrible campaign.
Luxembourg 0-2 France
Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 Romania
Albania 1-0 Belarus
Romania 3-1 Luxembourg
GROUP E
Scoring nine goals in the process, the Dutch did the double over Hungary this week to lead Group E after 18 points out of 18 so far in this qualifying campaign. Sweden took advantage of the Magyars' miserable week by moving second with a 2-1 win over Moldova. Both the Swedes and the Hungarians have nine points each but Sweden are in a better place to challenge the Dutch as they have two games in hand.
Hungary 0-4 Netherlands
Sweden 2-1 Moldova
Netherlands 5-3 Hungary
GROUP F
Either Greece or Croatia seem likely to end up as Group F winners but Israel and Georgia cannot be discounted. Euro 2004 winners Greece went top of the group after a late 1-0 win over Malta while Croatia were going down to a shock 1-0 defeat in Georgia. But the Georgians then lost 1-0 in Israel who moved third with their second home win of the week. Greece have 11 points from five games, Croatia 10 points from five, Israel 10 points from six, and Georgia nine points from six.
Georgia 1-0 Croatia
Israel 2-1 Latvia
Malta 0-1 Greece
Israel 1-0 Georgia
GROUP G
England moved top of Group G on goal difference above Montenegro who were not in competitive action this week. An easy 2-0 win over Wales helped Fabio Capello's men to 10 points from four games. Bulgaria and Switzerland cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw and both remain well adrift on just four points. Wales have yet to score a point.
Wales 0-2 England
Bulgaria 0-0 Switzerland
GROUP H
Norway scored a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Denmark to retain their three-point advantage at the top of Group H. The Norwegians have 10 points from four games, three ahead of the Danes and Portugal who did not play this week.
Cyprus 0-0 Iceland
Norway 1-1 Denmark
GROUP I
Spain stretched their lead at the top of Group I to six points with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic on Friday. David Villa scored twice to become Spain's highest international goalscorer in history. The Czechs recovered in midweek to beat Liechtenstein 2-0 but Spain won yet again, 3-1 in Lithuania, to retain their 100% record. Those wins for the top two are particularly bad news for Scotland who did not play this month. The Scots are now 11 points behind Spain and five behind the Czech Republic although they do have a game in hand.
Spain 2-1 Czech Republic
Czech Republic 2-0 Liechtenstein
Lithuania 1-3 Spain
Next Euro 2012 fixtures take place on 3-4 June. This report was written on Saturday 26 March with the Group updates written on Tuesday 29 March.
No comments:
Post a Comment