Scotland 2 – 0 Macedonia
What I love most about the Scots is how consistently close they get to achieving something before failing spectacularly at the last hurdle. So it is then that their obviously doomed qualification campaign trundles on. After a justifiably nervy opening half in which the Tartan Army were clearly second best, Celtic midfielder Scott Brown headed Scotland into an early second half lead, with James McFadden scoring a fine solo second, bursting through the Macedonian defence and putting the game safe.
Cyprus 1 – 2 Ireland
Ireland successfully failed to concede five goals on this particular visit to the island, big Kevin Doyle gave the visitors the lead with a low strike after five minutes, but Cyprus hit back, Marios Elia collecting the ball after a lucky ricochet to launch one past Shay Given into the corner. Robbie Keane headed in Damien Duff’s cross seven minutes from time as Ireland held on to second place in the group behind Italy.
Poland 1 – 1 Northern Ireland
Striker Kyle Lafferty collected a ball from David Healy to fire the ball through Poland keeper Artur Boruc’s legs as Northern Ireland stormed into a first half lead. Poland eventually levelled ten minutes from time as Mariusz Lewandowski scored from close-range after being teed-up by Pawel Brozek. Northern Ireland still, fantastically, have a real chance of qualifying.
Spain 5 – 0 Belgium
The reigning lords of all football absolutely tonked the Belgians. Big David Villa surprisingly missed a first half penalty before David Silva put the European champions ahead. David Villa did get on the score sheet early in the second half, young Gerard Pique adding the third, David Silva scoring again before Villa also bagged his brace in a comfortable victory.
Argentina 1 – 3 Brazil
Argentina coach Diego Armando Maradona remains footballs biggest bastard and will never be foprgiven for his shenanigans in 1986. Consequently, every defeat that propels them further away from qualification pleases me greatly. Two quickfire goals midway through the first-half silenced the Rosario. Luisao headed home an Elano free-kick and Luis Fabiano scored from close range to put Dunga’s side in control. Jesus Datolo brought the home side back into the match with a cracking left-footed effort only for Brazil to go up the other end a minute later and finish off the match. Kaka played a delicious through ball for Luis Fabiano who chipped the ball home for his second and Brazil’s third.
Denmark 1 – 1 Portugal
Portugal, who collectively remain football’s second biggest bastards after Maradona, went into the break absolutely gutted after dominating this must-win game but failing to net an opener, Much loved Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner did superbly well to chest a cross in the box and crashed a shot into the roof of the net moments before the halftime whistle. Portugal salvaged a point, and just maybe their World Cup hopes, four minutes from time as their brand new just-getting-his-passport-in-time-for-the game Brazilian ringer Liedson equalised on debut.
