Miroslav Klose and Cristiano Ronaldo stole the limelight on a busy night of World Cup qualifying fixtures on Friday that saw several European nations edge closer to a place at the finals in Brazil.
Veteran Klose set Germany on the way to a 3-0 win against Austria, which keeps them firmly in control of Group C, while Ronaldo netted a hat-trick as Portugal came from behind to triumph 4-2 in Northern Ireland.
Reigning world champions Spain eased to a 2-0 win in Finland, while Italy are just one more victory away from qualifying for the finals after a 1-0 defeat of Bulgaria in Palermo, but it was not all plain sailing for the big boys, with the Netherlands having to scramble to draw 2-2 in Estonia.
Photo: AFP
Germany were far too strong for Austria in Munich, with the 35-year-old Klose setting them on their way with the 68th international goal of his career.
That saw him equal Gerd Mueller’s German record for the most goals scored for his country, before Bayern Munich pair Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller got the other goals for the hosts on the night.
Germany are now five points clear of Sweden, who won 2-1 in the Republic of Ireland with Johan Elmander and Anders Svensson getting their goals after Robbie Keane had put the home side in front.
Meanwhile Kazakhstan defeated the Faroe Isles 2-1 in Friday’s other Group C encounter.
Portugal are still two points clear of Russia at the top of Group F, but having played a game more, after winning an eventful game in Belfast.
In a match that featured three red cards, Northern Ireland twice led before Real Madrid man Ronaldo scored three times in 15 minutes late on to move him above the great Eusebio in his country’s list of all-time leading scorers on 43.
Russia had earlier swatted aside group whipping boys Luxembourg 4-1, with Alexander Kokorin of Dynamo Moscow scoring a brace, to keep automatic qualification in their own hands.
Spain are now three points clear at the top of Group I with just two games remaining after Jordi Alba and Alvaro Negredo struck in Helsinki, while France, in second, drew 0-0 in Georgia.
Italy’s single-goal win against Bulgaria in Sicily means they need only beat the Czech Republic on Tuesday to book their ticket to Brazil from Group B.
Behind them, the race for second and a prospective play-off berth remains open, particularly after Armenia won 2-1 in the Czech Republic.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands saw their perfect record in Group D come to an end in their 2-2 draw in Estonia.
Arjen Robben put the Dutch ahead early on, but a stunning double from Konstantin Vassiljev turned the game on its head and the Oranje needed a last-gasp Robin van Persie penalty to spare their blushes.
Elsewhere, England took control of Group H thanks to their 4-0 defeat of Moldova which featured a brace from Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck.
England lead the section on goal-difference from Montenegro, who drew 1-1 in Poland, with the Ukraine a further point back in third.
Ukraine hammered hapless San Marino 9-0 and England must go to the Ukraine on Tuesday without Welbeck, who is suspended.
Elsewhere, Belgium are on the brink of qualifying from Group A after a 2-0 win in Scotland coupled with Croatia’s 1-1 draw in Serbia left them five points clear at the summit.
Also in that group, Real Madrid new boy Gareth Bale was an unused substitute as Wales lost 2-1 in Macedonia.
Switzerland are still four points clear of Norway at the top of Group E despite a remarkable 4-4 home draw with Iceland, for whom Johann Gudmundsson scored a hat-trick, while Group G leaders Bosnia-Herzegovina lost 1-0 at home to Slovakia, allowing Greece to join them there with a 1-0 win in Liechtenstein.
In the other Group G game, Latvia beat Lithuania 2-1.
In other games it was:
Group B
‧ Malta 1, Denmark 2
Group D
‧ Turkey 5, Andorra 0
‧ Romania 3, Hungary 0
Group E
‧ Slovenia 1, Albania o
‧ Norway 2, Cyprus 0
Additional reporting by staff writer
Brazil has four teams, more than any other country, in the expanded Club World Cup that kicked off yesterday in the US, but for SE Palmeiras, the competition holds a special meaning: winning it would provide some redemption. Under coach Abel Ferreira since 2020, Palmeiras lifted two Copa Libertadores titles, plus Brazilian league, cup and state championships. Even before Ferreira, it boasted another South American crown and 11 league titles. The only major trophy missing is a world champions’ title. Other Brazilian clubs like Fluminense FC and Botafogo FR, also in the tournament, have never won it either, but the problem for Palmeiras
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped FIFA Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday. Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar. Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta, while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, are to
Twelve days after winning her second Grand Slam title at the French Open, Coco Gauff fell at the first hurdle on grass in Berlin on Thursday as beaten Paris finalist Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the quarter-finals. Recipient of a first round bye, American Gauff lost 6-3, 6-3 to Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu as world number one Sabalenka beat Rebeka Masarova 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) in her second round tie. Winner of 10 main tour titles, including the US Open in 2023 and the WTA Finals last year, Gauff has yet to lift a trophy in a grass-court tournament. “After I won the first
Sergio Ramos on Tuesday outfoxed two Inter players and artfully headed home the first goal for Monterrey at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 39-year-old Ramos slipped through the penalty area for the score just as he did for so many years in the shirts of Real Madrid and Spain’s national team, with whom he combined smarts, timing and physicality. Ramos’ clever goal and his overall defensive play at the Rose Bowl were major factors in Monterrey’s impressive 1-1 draw against the UEFA Champions League finalists in the clubs’ first match of the tournament. “There is always a joy to contribute to the
RSS