Spain back on track, big guns fire
Source: AFP |
March 28, 2013, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WORLD champion Spain regained top spot in its 2014 World Cup qualifying group on Tuesday as it beat former leader France 1-0 in a hard-fought clash in Paris.
While Pedro Rodriguez's second-half goal saw Spain take a one-point lead over France in Group I, the team it beat in the 2010 World Cup final, the Netherlands maintained its perfect record with its sixth win in six games, a 4-0 success over Romania.
The Dutch - who have recovered brilliantly under Louis van Gaal since he stepped in after they exited Euro 2012 at the group stage - lead Group D by seven points, second-placed Hungary having drawn 1-1 away in Turkey.
England too came away with a 1-1 draw at Group H leader Montenegro.
However, having taken an early lead through Wayne Rooney, on the ground where his red card in Euro 2012 qualifying saw him miss the first two group games at the finals, it was fortunate to even take a point. Montenegro still leads England by two points and could stretch it to five if it beats Ukraine in June before the English play their next qualifier at home to Moldova in September.
Other European heavyweights had little trouble against lightly-regarded opponents, Germany cruising to a 4-1 win at home to Kazakhstan and a double from Mario Balotelli - taking his haul to 10 goals in nine games for club and country since signing for AC Milan from Manchester City - seeing Italy to a 2-0 win away in Malta.
Italy leads Bulgaria by three points - the Bulgarians having drawn 1-1 with Denmark - but with a game in hand.
The Czech Republic could sneak the runner-up playoff spot as a 3-0 win in Armenia on goalkeeper Petr Cech's 100th appearance put it just two points behind Bulgaria and also with a game in hand.
The enthralling duel for top spot in Group A shows no sign of abating as Belgium edged Macedonia 1-0 in Brussels while Croatia stayed on level terms by rallying past plucky Wales 2-1 in Swansea.
Both sides are on 16 points with the Belgians ahead on goal difference, the two of them are nine points clear of Serbia, which put Scotland out of its misery by winning 2-0 in Novi Sad to end the Scots already dim hopes of reaching Brazil next year.
Spain dispelled notions before the match that its mastery of world football was on the wane after a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to unfancied Finland last Friday.
Its performance left coach Vicente del Bosque a satisfied man.
"They are three welcome points which changes our situation in the table," said the unassuming former Real Madrid coach.
"What is better still is that we remained faithful to our style of play."
While Pedro Rodriguez's second-half goal saw Spain take a one-point lead over France in Group I, the team it beat in the 2010 World Cup final, the Netherlands maintained its perfect record with its sixth win in six games, a 4-0 success over Romania.
The Dutch - who have recovered brilliantly under Louis van Gaal since he stepped in after they exited Euro 2012 at the group stage - lead Group D by seven points, second-placed Hungary having drawn 1-1 away in Turkey.
England too came away with a 1-1 draw at Group H leader Montenegro.
However, having taken an early lead through Wayne Rooney, on the ground where his red card in Euro 2012 qualifying saw him miss the first two group games at the finals, it was fortunate to even take a point. Montenegro still leads England by two points and could stretch it to five if it beats Ukraine in June before the English play their next qualifier at home to Moldova in September.
Other European heavyweights had little trouble against lightly-regarded opponents, Germany cruising to a 4-1 win at home to Kazakhstan and a double from Mario Balotelli - taking his haul to 10 goals in nine games for club and country since signing for AC Milan from Manchester City - seeing Italy to a 2-0 win away in Malta.
Italy leads Bulgaria by three points - the Bulgarians having drawn 1-1 with Denmark - but with a game in hand.
The Czech Republic could sneak the runner-up playoff spot as a 3-0 win in Armenia on goalkeeper Petr Cech's 100th appearance put it just two points behind Bulgaria and also with a game in hand.
The enthralling duel for top spot in Group A shows no sign of abating as Belgium edged Macedonia 1-0 in Brussels while Croatia stayed on level terms by rallying past plucky Wales 2-1 in Swansea.
Both sides are on 16 points with the Belgians ahead on goal difference, the two of them are nine points clear of Serbia, which put Scotland out of its misery by winning 2-0 in Novi Sad to end the Scots already dim hopes of reaching Brazil next year.
Spain dispelled notions before the match that its mastery of world football was on the wane after a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to unfancied Finland last Friday.
Its performance left coach Vicente del Bosque a satisfied man.
"They are three welcome points which changes our situation in the table," said the unassuming former Real Madrid coach.
"What is better still is that we remained faithful to our style of play."
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