England and Italy were able to start repairing their reputations with contrasting wins in their first Euro 2012 qualifiers and Spain swatted away Liechtenstein 4-0 with an ease befitting their status as world and European champions.

England played with the quick passing and invention that eluded them in South Africa as they beat Bulgaria 4-0 at Wembley, Jermain Defoe netting a smartly taken hat-trick and Adam Johnson getting the fourth in the Group G clash.

Italy were almost embarrassed but were ultimately able to celebrate a 2-1 victory after coming from a goal down away to Estonia in Group C.

There were wins too for Germany, Russia and the Netherlands — who provided a heartwarming moment with the goalscoring return of Ruud van Nistelrooy — but the night’s compelling story was in Paris, where it became abundantly clear that a change of coach alone will not change French fortunes.

This was a miserable night for the home side, as a much changed team from the World Cup was cheered on to the pitch but roundly booed off it.

Laurent Blanc’s first competitive match since replacing Raymond Domenech after a World Cup campaign that veered between farce and fiasco offered few positives as a late goal from Sergei Kislyak consigned them to a Group D defeat.

“I want to thank the fans who came here to support us,” France captain Florent Malouda told the angry crowd.

Portugal were among the other heavyweight teams to flop in South Africa and missing the injured Cristiano Ronaldo and suspended coach Carlos Queiroz they flirted with disaster against Cyprus in Guimaraes.

The home side twice fell behind before hauling themselves 4-3 ahead only to concede an equaliser to Andreas Avraam two minutes from time.

SUCCESS STORIES

While Europe’s first big night of competitive international action since the World Cup was a chance for atonement for some, it was a celebration for the three big success stories of a tournament dominated by the continent.

Spain led the way as two goals from Fernando Torres and one from World Cup hero David Villa — who moved to within one goal of equalling Raul’s scoring record for the country — helped them brush past Liechtenstein in a Group I match in Vaduz.

David Silva was the other scorer in the opening match of the defence of the title Spain won in Austria and Switzerland in 2008.

The Netherlands, beaten by the Spanish in the Johannesburg final, saw off San Marino 5-0 in Group E.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored a hat-trick but it was the returning Van Nistelrooy who stole Dutch hearts, scoring in injury-time after being recalled to the squad for the first time in two years.

The 34-year-old was given a standing ovation as he came on and capped his return with an injury time strike.

“If it comes back again when you really thought it was not possible this is an exceptional moment,” Van Nistelrooy said.

Germany, third at the World Cup, had a tougher night against more serious opponents in Group A but came through 1-0 against Belgium with a goal from the ever reliable Miroslav Klose.

Their main rivals in Group A will be Turkey, who won 3-0 away to Kazakhstan.

In the night’s other David and Goliath clash, Russia grabbed a workmanlike 2-0 win away to Andorra in Group B thanks to two goals from Pavel Pogrebnyak.

Ireland, who felt themselves cheated out of a place at the World Cup when Thierry Henry’s handball set up the winner for France in their play-off, joined Russia at the top of the group after escaping with a 1-0 win away to Armenia.

WET BALL

While Blanc was suffering the ignominy of defeat, Italy’s new coach Cesare Prandelli was able to celebrate — but only after an almighty scare.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 31st minute when Sergei Zenjov struck after Italian keeper Salvatore Sirigu lost his grip on the wet ball.

The 2006 world champions just managed to halt their seven-game win drought thanks to second-half goals from Antonio Cassano and Leonardo Bonucci.

England’s commanding win over Bulgaria will have come as a relief to another Italian coach in Fabio Capello, whose position was called into question after England’s limp exit to Germany in the World Cup.

“Overall the performance was really, really good,” Capello said. “The movement without the ball was fantastic and Defoe is always very important for us.”

Source: supersport.co.za

Pic: soccernet.espn.go.com

But both last 16 games were mired in controversy.

Capello slammed the Uruguayan referee as his team crashed out in a Bloemfontein humiliation.

Frank Lampard had a legitimate goal disallowed by referee Jorge Larrionda when England were trailing 2-1 just before half-time.

With England surging forward, the midfielder unleashed a drive that beat goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, came off the underside of the crossbar and landed over the goal-line before bouncing out.

Amazingly, Larrionda waved play on and Thomas Mueller scored twice within four minutes midway through the second half to finish the job.

“The referee made one of the biggest mistakes,” said Capello.

But he could not disguise his admiration for a young German team who could never have dreamt they would finish such convincing winners.

“Germany are a great team. We were caught out on the counter-attack,” admitted the man, who took England to the first African World Cup in such impressive style.

Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski had given Germany a 2-0 lead as England’s defence was repeatedly carved open before Matthew Upson won an aerial duel to nod his side back into contention.

Germany coach Joachim Loew said: “I said to my team at half-time, we need to try to score the third goal. We knew we could hit England on the counter-attack because they were open. Our players carried it off brilliantly.”

Lampard insists the time is right for football to fall in line with other sports by adopting technology.

“I am in favour of goal-line technology, especially after tonight,” said the Chelsea midfielder.

“The ball crossed the line, it was over, it was so obvious. If we had got back to 2-2 at that moment, it could have been different.”

The previous widest margin between the countries was 4-2 for England after extra time in the 1966 World Cup final that also had a controversial moment with a Geoff Hurst goal allowed amid claims the ball did not cross the line.

In Johannesburg, two goals by Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain, his fourth to become the tournament’s top-scorer, allowed Argentina to cruise through.

Mexico forward Javier Hernandez gave his side brief hope when he turned his marker in the 71st minute and smashed his shot past Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

Tevez’s first-half strike was awarded in controversial circumstances as replays showed he was offside when world footballer of the year Lionel Messi gave him the final pass.

The Mexican defence complained bitterly, but Italian referee Roberto Rosetti allowed the 26th-minute goal to stand despite the furore caused by a replay of the incident on Soccer City’s giant TV screens.

Maradona said he was relishing the chance to once again lock horns with Germany.

“I feel like pulling on the jersey and playing myself,” he said.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said two mistakes cost his side Sunday’s game.

“In the first few minutes we were superior. But then we conceded a goal which was offside and then there was an error in the defence. Two mistakes made a dramatic difference,” said Aguirre.

On Monday, the second round continues in Durban with the Netherlands facing Slovakia, whose victory condemned defending champions Italy to an early exit.

In Johannesburg, five-time champions Brazil face Chile.

Ghana, the continent’s last real hope, lost 1-0 to Germany after a thundering 60th minute strike by Mesut Ozil, but finished second in Group D thanks to the Socceroos convincing 2-1 victory over Serbia.

Two half brothers faced each other for the first time at a World Cup when Kevin-Prince Boateng played for Ghana and Jerome Boateng for Germany.

England finally found some of their form to beat a feisty Slovenia, who saw their chance of qualification from Group C agonisingly stolen at the last moment by a USA goal by Landon Donovan in injury time against Algeria.

The last gasp USA victory sparked scenes of joy in Pretoria among American fans and gave them first place in the group over England.

“I’m just shocked and so proud of our guys… unbelievable,” midfielder Donovan said. He broke down in tears in the post-match press conference and former President Bill Clinton went to the changing room to congratulate the players, telling them they had shown the American spirit.

The result put Algeria out — another disappointment in Africa’s poor showing at the continent’s first World Cup.

Donovan’s late goal was also a tragedy for Slovenia, the tournament’s smallest nation with a population of just over two million, who would otherwise have gone through.

As fellow European power France flew home after a shameful first-round exit, England finally played with determination against a feisty Slovenia after two dismal draws from their opening matches. The players expressed relief and said their World Cup ambition had been revived.

Striker Jermain Defoe, brought in as part of a team shakeup by manager Fabio Capello, connected with a James Milner cross in the 23rd minute to notch a goal and give some relief to the hordes of English supporters in Port Elizabeth.

But although England looked better, they never seemed as slick as the Latin American teams who have dominated the tournament, led by Brazil and Argentina.

Capello, whose habitual frown finally turned to a smile, said the result should lift the pressure on his players.

“The mind now is free, without fear,” he said.

The first World Cup in Africa has so far been a struggle for Europe with former champions France heading home after a demoralising player revolt, over the expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka, that has shocked their nation.

Hosts South Africa beat France on Tuesday night to leave them bottom of their group with just one point.

“In 11 days of competition, Raymond Domenech’s gang has succeeded in becoming the laughing stock of the entire world, a mix of arrogance, incompetence, a lack of talent and professionalism,” said France Soir newspaper.

President Nicolas Sarkozy called for a total shake-up of French soccer after a special government meeting on Wednesday and said no player should receive bonuses. He hinted that there should be resignations among French soccer officials.

South Africa were the first hosts to be eliminated in the first round but at least held their heads high, garnering four points, losing out only on goal difference, and ending with their best ever international victory.

Bafana Bafana’s elimination has quietened the vuvuzela trumpets a little but the nation remains proud of the achievements of its underdog team and even more of its success in organising a successful tournament, despite years of gloomy predictions from critics that it would be a disaster.

Argentina have led Latin American dominance of the World Cup so far, Diego Maradona’s team brimming with confidence after a perfect first round record of three wins.

The artistry of Argentina, Brazil and even smaller Latin American teams too has been in sharp contrast to the pedestrian European performances.

Chile’s players, who have won two games out of two, say a ripped and muddy flag rescued from the debris of February’s massive earthquake has helped inspire them.

They have hung it on a flagpole by their training pitch.

“We’re trying to bring a little happiness to all those people who suffered,” said centre back Waldo Ponce.

Any England goalkeeper guilty of a clanger is given merciless treatment by the national newspapers, with international careers usually then brought to a shuddering halt.

David Seaman, David James, Paul Robinson and Scott Carson can all testify to that.

“Cock-up keeper Green wrecks dream start,” said the News of the World, adding: “Stars and tripe”.

“It’s back to the drawing board after this, with Capello forced to reconsider his options after Green’s mistake.”

“Tainted Glove”, said the Sunday Mirror. “Worst Howler Ever”, said another headline.

“Calamity keeper Robert Green gifted one of the all-time blunder goals last night as the jinx of the England goalies struck again.

“Hapless Green somehow managed to parry the softest of soft strikes into the goal behind him. It was agonising to watch.”

The editorial said: “Poor Robert Green will take a long, long time to live down the goal.”

The Sunday Express meanwhile said of Green that “for all our sakes, he’s got to go – now.”

The Sunday Telegraph said Green’s howler had “cost England dear”.

Former England defender Graeme Le Saux wrote that if England manager Fabio Capello was to axe Green, “he may as well send him straight home.

“He will certainly not play again in this tournament, and that could even be the death knell for his international career”.

The Mail on Sunday said it was a “nightmare start”.

“There was endeavour aplenty and flashes of quality but a fragility remains at the core of the side,” it added.

“The calamitous goal which will threaten the international future of goalkeeper Robert Green was a catastrophe.”

The Independent on Sunday said it was “one of those frustrating opening games the country often produces after all the build-up to a major tournament”.

“An improvement will be required in the second game in Cape Town on Friday against Algeria.”

The Sunday Times referenced the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, saying Green’s error was “one disastrous spill the Yanks won’t complain about”.

It was a “howler that will haunt him for the rest of his career”.

The broadsheet compared Green to a “pub cricketer misfielding on the boundary.

“A scrappy, uncomfortable draw against the second-ranked side in Group C may not stop Capello’s men topping it but it is hard to see England going too far in the knockout rounds if they fail to improve.”

Source: sport24.co.za
Video: youtube.com

England will take on the reigning champions New Zealand in Sunday’s final after the Kiwis outclassed Australia 31-7. The Baby Boks will play Australia in Sunday’s third-place playoff fixture in Tokyo at 15h00* (RSA time — 08h00).

“The guys are really disappointed with the result, but I believe we were defeated by the better team on the day,” said SA under-20 coach Eric Sauls after the match.

“We lost too many line-outs, made some silly mistakes and lost momentum during important stages in the match. Also losing a player like Rynhardt Elstadt, who was red-carded, was a huge blow to us. It was always going to be difficult defending and attacking against a side like England with one man down for 15 minutes.

“The most important thing for the players now, is to forget about the disappointment against England. We play Australia on Sunday and our aim will be end the tournament on a high.”

The Baby Boks conceded four second-half tries to England after leading 11-9 at the break. SA under-20 fullback Francois Brummer converted two penalties kicks with Christiaan Stander scoring the first try of the match. All England’s points in the first half was scored via the boot of fullback Tom Homer, who converted three penalty kicks, in the opening 11 minutes of the match.

South Africa’s lead only lasted two minutes though as England regained the lead after scrumhalf Ben Young ran in to score an excellent individual try after he broke from a line-out 30 metres from the SA try-line. Homer converted the try to hand England a 16-11 lead.

The Baby Boks hit back ten minutes later after centre Nicolaas Hanekom scored South Africa’s second try of the match which was converted by Brummer (18-16). South Africa then gained a five-point (21-16) lead after Brummer converted his third penalty kick of the match after England were penalised for a ruck infringement.

However that was the last points scored by the Baby Boks. England regained the lead (23-21) after James Haskell scored their second try in the 20th minute of the second half which was converted by Homer.

The Baby Boks were then reduced to 14 players after New Zealand referee Chris Pollock red-carded Rynhardt Elstadt four minutes later after the SA under-20 flanker was penalised for a dangerous tackle. Homer added the three points to stretch England’s lead to 26-21.

With the South African’s one-man down, England piled on the pressure and ran in two tries in the final ten minutes of the match thanks to Courtney Lawes and Henry Trinder which were both converted by Homer (20-21).

*Local time in Japan.

Scores:

South Africa – Tries: Christiaan Stander, Nicolaas Hanekom; Conversion: Francois Brummer; Penalties: Brummer (3).
England – Tries: Ben Young, James Haskell, Courtney Lawes, Henry Trinder; Conversions: Tom Homer (4); Penalties: Homer (4).

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za