Hungary 0 Netherlands 4
With Hungary's PSV Eindhoven winger Balazs Dzsudzsak well covered by Dutch right-back Gregory van der Wiel, the Netherlands made the most of their ascendancy in the middle of the park with a dominant display.
Rafael van der Vaart put the Dutch ahead in the eighth minute, and goals to Ibrahim Afellay, Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt and Arsenal marksman Robin Van Persie ensured the visitors secured their fifth win from five qualifying games, and a six-point lead on top of Group E.
Luxembourg 0 France 2
France struggled to unlock the hosts' defence early, but a free kick from skipper Samir Nasri gave Mexes the opportunity to nod the visitors into the lead in the 28th minute.
Real Madrid goal-scoring machine Karim Benzema went close for Les Bleus, as did Chelsea man Florent Malouda before half-time.
Gourcuff livened up the action with a second goal on 72 minutes, the Lyon man volleying a deflected cross beyond Luxembourg goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert to seal the three points.
Spain 2 Czech Rep 1Barcelona's Villa became Spain's highest ever goal scorer, after entering Friday's match level with Raul on 44 international goals.
Jaroslav Plasil put the Czechs ahead after 29 minutes, and for a while it looked as though the 1996 European Championships runners-up would hold on to pull off the shock; But Villa's cool finish from the edge of the box on 69 minutes levelled proceedings.
He stepped up to convert a penalty four minutes later to hand his side three points - pushing them six points clear of the Czechs in Group I.
No comments:
Post a Comment