Edging towards the World Cup
September 7, 2013Spain earned a 2-0 win in Finland Friday, with goals from Jordi Alba and Alvaro Negredo. The defending World and European champions are now three points ahead of France, who drew 0-0 with Georgia, and leading Group I with 14 points.
Alberto Gilardino's header proved the winner for Italy in their away match versus Bulgaria. The Italians are now seven points clear in Group B with three matches to play.
England beat Moldova 4-0 at home, with a Danny Welbeck brace following early goals from Steven Gerard and Rickie Lambert. The win puts them atop Group H with 15 points, ahead of Montenegro – who drew 1-1 with Poland – on goal difference with a game in hand. Ukraine kept their qualification hopes alive with a 9-0 victory against San Marino, giving them 14 points.
Cristiano Ronaldo's hat trick helped Portugal to a 4-2 away win over Northern Ireland and atop Group F. Russia, who trail them by just two points, made easy work of Luxembourg in a 4-1 victory.
A stoppage time penalty from Robin Van Persie salvaged a 2-2 draw for the Netherlands in Estonia, keeping them undefeated in World Cup qualification. The Dutch are first in Group D with 19 points. Romania, who defeated Hungary 3-0, are six points behind in second place.
Belgium are on track for World Cup qualification after their 2-0 win over Scotland gave them a five point cushion atop Group A with two matches to play. Croatia, in second place, were held to a 1-1 draw away to Serbia, while Macedonia were 2-1 winners at home to Wales.
Switzerland managed only a point at home in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Iceland. Despite the result they still lead group E with 15 points, four ahead of Norway, who beat Cyprus 2-0.
Greece took advantage of Bosnia-Herzegovina's 1-0 home loss to Slovakia with a 1-0 away victory of their own against Liechtenstein. The two sides are tied atop Group G with 16 points each. Slovakia are just four points behind them.
Friday's full UEFA World Cup qualifying results:
Macedonia 2-1 Wales
Serbia 1-1 Croatia
Scotland 0-2 Belgium
Czech Republic 1-2 Armenia
Malta 1-2 Denmark
Italy 1-0 Bulgaria
Kazakhstan 2-1 Faroe Islands
Germany 3-0 Austria
Ireland 1-2 Sweden
Romania 3-0 Hungary
Turkey 5-0 Andorra
Estonia 2-2 Netherlands
Norway 2-0 Cyprus
Slovenia 1-0 Albania
Switzerland 4-4 Iceland
Russia 4-1 Luxembourg
Northern Ireland 2-4 Portugal
Latvia 2-1 Lithuania
Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-1 Slovakia
Liechtenstein 0-1 Greece
England 4-0 Moldova
Ukraine 9-0 San Marino
Poland 1-1 Montenegro
Georgia 0-0 France
Finland 0-2 Spain