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Match of the Day Live


England vs Estonia - Sat 13 Oct, 2:30 pm - 5:15 pm
Gary Lineker hosts live coverage of England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia at Wembley, in which Steve McClaren's side aim to move a step closer to reaching next year's finals in Austria and Switzerland.

England have won both competitive matches they have played at Wembley and will be expecting to make it a hat-trick against Estonia this afternoon. The visitors have scored just three goals in total in their qualifying campaign, and England beat them 3-0 in the corresponding fixture in Tallinn - with goals from Joe Cole, Peter Crouch and Michael Owen.

McClaren's biggest worry should be ensuring that his players stay fit and don't pick up bookings that might rule them out of Wednesday's crunch away game in Russia. But, despite some recent good results, England have made heavy weather of this qualification campaign and will need to guard against over-complacency. [S]



Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/matchoftheday

England 3-0 Estonia
ENGLAND 3 ESTONIA 0 Wayne ends 1,211-day goal wait, but Cole KO mars victory stroll





Wayne Rooney's long wait is over.

The international goal drought that had lasted 1211 days of competitive football ended during England's victory stroll over Estonia at Wembley.

Now Steve McClaren's men know if they win the vital showdown against Russia in Moscow on Wednesday they will qualify for the Euro 2008 finals.

Rooney said: "It's been a long time since my last goal. As a striker it does play on your mind a bit.


"I hope now we can go on and get the three points in Moscow and then we'll have qualified. We know what we've got to do."

England boss McClaren said: "Wayne had a point to prove and he proved it. He was a constant threat. He deserved his goal and it's good to have him back."

Ashley Cole was carried off with an ankle injury after 49 minutes.

Although a hospital scan showed nothing broken, he looks likely to miss Wednesday's game in Moscow and could be sidelined for a lengthy spell. McClaren said: "We're assessing the injury. It doesn't look good at the moment."

Mirror

Scotland 3-1 Ukraine
UEFA EURO 2008 Austria-Switzerland SCOTLAND 3 MILLER 4, McCULLOCH 10, McFADDEN 68 UKRAINE 1 SHEVCHENKO 24 Tasty Scots fired by James and Lee


Scotland produced the biggest Hampden miracle of all yesterday and planted one foot in the Euro 2008 finals.

For this was the victory that announced Scotland on the world stage, even above the wins over France.

Last September, no one expected anything from the home match against the World Cup finalists until Gary Caldwell's dramatic winner.

And the return in Paris last month seemed even more formidable until James McFadden spectacularly won the match.


Yesterday, in a sun-baked Hampden, Alex McLeish's men again produced the goods when the heat was on.

Scotland's young side did it against one of the best teams in the game, with its backs against the wall. This was the defining day in the qualifiers when the upstarts became partisans.

With 24 points, McLeish's men are still top of their group, a total that looked impossible at the outset.

Yesterday, the Ukrainian players looked as dejected as their manager, the legendary Oleg Blokhin. His job as Ukraine boss may have finally been undone by a team containing several monumental performances.

McFadden, for the third time in three games, fired the final goal in wins that have elevated him to legendary status.

The Everton player said: "Going into the game, we thought it was probably the hardest match we've had because of the expectation levels.

"But the confidence in the squad to win games is incredible.

If I get chances, then obviously I'll get confidence that I'll score goals.

"It showed today again. We keep winning and long may it continue."

Alongside McFadden, skipper Barry Ferguson displayed the quality that offers him a place on any football stage, while rookie midfielder Scott Brown ran for his life, defending and attacking in equal exemplary measures.

At the back, David Weir was a man-mountain when the pacy, clever Ukrainians plotted to undo McLeish's ambitions.

Behind him, Craig Gordon underlined the £9million price tag that hangs round his neck with another performance of pure international class.

Now Georgia awaits on Wednesday, followed by a visit from Italy next month and, still amazingly, the Scots cannot take their place in Euro 2008 for granted.

But one thing was clear as the Tartan Army trudged home in triumph: a win against the World Cup winners will clinch a finals place whatever happens next week.

The Hampden stands could hardly believe their eyes when Scotland led on just four minutes after Brown was fouled on the right.

McFadden swung over the free-kick toward the near post and Kenny Miller was last to arrive as he flicked the ball into the net.

Astonishingly, that lead was doubled six minutes later when a short free-kick between Ferguson and McFadden found Lee McCulloch unmarked on the left. He needed a single touch before gliding the ball into the top corner.

But any suggestions that the match was over were swiftly revised on 24 minutes when Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko calmly swivelled in a yard of space before shooting high into the net.

Three strong penalty appeals followed before half-time - one for Ukraine and two for Scotland - but referee Pieter Vink waived away the shouts.

McFadden, brought down inside the Ukraine box, claimed the ref later admitted he made an error by not pointing to the spot. He said: "The referee admitted his mistake to me in the second half and that's all you can ask for. Thankfully, it wasn't a big mistake and we didn't need it."

The start of the second half saw an uneasy spell for McLeish's side but Ukraine's resistance was finally overcome on 68 minutes when Alan Hutton found McFadden left of centre at the edge of the box.

The striker's left-foot drive flew into the net and Hampden erupted, sparking off a nation's celebrations.
Mirror

Croatia 1-0 Israel



Eduardo Da Silva scored the only goal to give Croatia a vital victory over Israel that kept them clear at the top of England's Euro 2008 qualifying group.

The 52nd-minute goal was Eduardo's 10th for Croatia in 10 qualifying matches. The Brazilianborn Arsenal striker scored a hat-trick at Israel in an earlier qualifier.

Israel kept a tight defence early on and the Croatians also played it carefully with their top two frontmen, Bosko Balaban and Mladen Petric, both out of the side with injuries.

Ivica Olic nearly gave Croatia the lead in the 17th minute, but his shot from just five yards out hit Israeli goalkeeper Nir Davidovitch in the legs and bounced safe.

That was the best chance of an uneventful first half, but Croatia laid siege to the Israeli penalty box after the break and it didn't take long for Eduardo to grab the winner.

He side-footed home an inviting cross from Manchester City's Vedran Corluka.

The visitors were on the back foot after falling behind, and Luka Modric almost doubled Croatia's lead in the 56th minute when his crisp low shot from 20 yards flashed just wide of the far post.

Israel's best chance came on the hour after Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun weaved his way past two defenders and had Stipe Pletikosa at full stretch with a fine shot from the edge of the box.

Croatia remain at the top of Group E with 26 points, three more than England. The Croats will qualify on Wednesday if England win or draw in Russia.
Mirror

CYPRUS 3-1 WALES
UEFA EURO 2008 Austria-Switzerland CYPRUS 3 OKKAS 59, 68, CHARALAMPIDIS 79 WALES 1 COLLINS 21 WALES HUMILIATED AGAIN



John Toshack last night issued a public apology for the way Wales capitulated against minnows Cyprus.

He said: "I don't need too many questions about this performance because I'm bitterly disappointed."

And the contrite Welsh boss went on: "I would like to apologise to all the Welsh fans who travelled here to watch this debacle.

"I'm shell-shocked. I will have to take a long, hard look at myself and what I am doing here. I'm clearly doing something wrong.


"Our performance was poor, but I would like to congratulate Cyprus on the way they played. They thoroughly deserved to win. We were fortunate to go in 1-0 up at half-time. We didn't compete in any area of the field and were second best throughout the game."

Toshack had pledged "never again" after Wales had lost in the sunshine island in a friendly two years ago - but little Cyprus left the Welsh red-faced once again.

It was a night when the kids in Toshack's side showed their many limitations.

They had been fortunate to lead at the interval, but were then simply blown apart by Cyprus.

They had no answer to the potent threat of Yiannis Okkas who scored twice, before Constantinos Charalampides - who had a trial at Cardiff in the summer - set the seal on Cyprus's glory night with their third 12 minutes from time.

Wales now move on for a game on Wednesday against San Marino praying there is no more humiliation to come there.

Craig Bellamy completed a miraculous recovery to lead out Wales at the GSP Stadium.

The West Ham United striker had undergone a hernia operation only eight days previously, but was declared fit to play.

The hot and humid conditions did not prevent Bellamy launching one surging early break, before his cross was inches too high for Simon Davies.

Wales were being outgunned in midfield in those early stages, needing inspiration to lift them. It came after 21 minutes, when James Collins struck his first international goal to edge them ahead.

Collins found himself alone at the far post to meet a free-kick from Gareth Bale with a firm drive past keeper Antonis Georgallides.

Okkas had a goal ruled out for offside soon after the break but the warning lights were flashing as Wales found themselves under siege.

Cyprus drew level on 58 minutes and it was that man Okkas who provided the breakthrough. From an Efsta Aloneftis free-kick Okkas nipped in ahead of keeper Danny Coyne and rammed it home. Worse was to follow for Wales.

There was more indecision as another free-kick from Aloneftis bobbled around in the penalty area. Coyne was slow to react and the ball broke for Okkas to drive home his second.

The final nail in Wales' coffin was driven home when Alexandros Garpozis headed another Aloneftis cross back into the danger area, and sub Charalampides headed in.

CYPRUS WALES

6 Shots on target 2

11 Shots off target 2

4 Shots blocked 0

9 Corners 0

14 Fouls conceded 20

7 Offsides 3

2 Yellow cards 2

0 Red cards 0

86 Pass success % 76

21 Tackles 18

86 Tackle success 94

63 Possession % 37

58 Territ. advant. % 42

HOW THEY RATED

CYPRUS

Georgallides, Okkarides, Satsias, Elia, Michail, Paraskevas, Garpozis, Makridis, Nicolau, Aloneftis, Okkas.

WALES

Coyne 5, Ricketts 5, Gabbidon 6, Collins 6 (Morgan 6), Nyatanga 6, Bale 5, Davies 5, Robinson 5, Ledley 6, Eastwood 4 (Earnshaw 6), Bellamy 5.

Manager Toshack 4

Referee C Bertolini 6

MAN OF THE MATCH

OKKAS

Two goals stole the show, and the game
Mirror

England face Euro shock after defeat to Russia

Russia (0) 2 England (1) 1

England's chances of qualifying for next summer's European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland is hanging by a thread after defeat in Russia.

England remain in second place, two points ahead of their opponents in Moscow, but having played a game more. Should Russia win away in Israel and at home against the part-timers of Andorra, and Croatia pick up a point against Macedonia, England's final match at home against Croatia will be meaningless with England eliminated.

Telegraph

Russia 2-1 England
EURO 2008 RUSSIA 2 ENGLAND 1 McClaren on the brink after England hopes take dive on man-made pitch

Steve McClaren last night blamed "five minutes of madness" for England's devastating defeat which leaves their Euro 2008 qualification hopes - and his job - hanging by a thread.

McClaren admitted his players were "devastated" after Russia super-sub Roman Pavlyuchenko scored twice, including a 69th-minute penalty after a foul by Wayne Rooney which was outside the area.

The England manager described the penalty award as "disgraceful" and Russia boss Guus Hiddink twisted the knife, claiming McClaren could not cope with his tactical changes and second-half substitutions on the controversial plastic pitch.

Defeat left McClaren inconsolable and England's qualification hopes now depend on Russia slipping up in their next qualifier in Israel next month. If England don't make it, McClaren's troubled 14-month reign as coach will be over.

"Five minutes of madness have cost us," he said. "The players are devastated. I have seen the penalty decision again and it is an absolute disgrace.

"That decision has cost us. I am not blaming the players. I can't fault the players' attitude or endeavour.

"We were in control and we were defending magnificently. We didn't allow them a clear shot apart from when they hit the post.

"We looked a threat on the break and this game turned in four minutes.

Qualification is now out of our hands. The group is over 12 games so it is difficult to reflect on that now.

"No one likes losing games and I don't like losing games. But we have to stick together.

"We were away from home, Russia had a lot of possession but they hardly had a shot at goal." Rooney had fired home a 29thminute wonder goal to give England a dream start.

But they were overwhelmed by Russia in the second half after Hiddink ended his jinx of never beating an English team.

Dutchman Hiddink claimed England could not cope with their tactical changes and they are now firm favourites to qualify from Group E alongside Croatia.

Hiddink said: "At half time we made a change and we said the moment we get the equaliser, we press their defence.

"We knew it would not be easy but we would get a second. They could not cope with that.

"They were vulnerable. We made a change and Joe Cole was almost left at **** and then you create a two-on-one situation.

"That is why we could damage them."
Mirror

Georgia 2-0 Scotland
EURO 2008 Austria-Switzerland Qualifying Group B: Georgia 2 Scotland 0

Scotland's high flyers were brought crashing back to earth in Tbilisi last night.

Alex McLeish's men hoped to take a bold step towards next summer's Euro finals, but were stunned by the flair and confidence of an experimental Georgia side.

Coach Klaus Topmoller threw in three brilliant teenagers for their debuts - and the gamble paid off handsomely.

The travelling Tartan Army were silenced by a 16th-minute header from 17-year-old Levan Mchedlidze and a killer second goal by David Siradze, drilled home in the 64th minute.

And it boils down to this - Scotland must beat World Cup winners Italy in their final qualifier at a frenzied Hampden on November 17, or the Italians and French will almost certainly pip them to the post for tickets to Austria and Switzerland.

McLeish said: "We're disappointed, but we're still in the picture and go into the last game with a wonderful chance - and we can do it. The whole nation should be behind the team.

"Everyone should be proud of what this set-up has achieved, and these players have bounced back before.

"We know we're playing the world champions and we've said all along that Italy and France are the favourites.

"But the Italians have to come to Glasgow and we have to win the match.

"Sometimes when you only have to draw you're not sure how to approach it."

Without key players such as Scott Brown, Paul Hartley and Lee McCulloch, Scotland started poorly and this time the magic wasn't there - from Everton's James McFadden or anyone else.

Whether the impossible dream, which seemed to be coming spectacularly to life with the wins over France and Ukraine, can be resurrected depends on how much belief remains in a side which were second-rate in Tbilisi.

Georgia's decision to field the three teenagers, including 17-year-old keeper Giorgi Makaridze, persuaded McLeish to choose a more attack-orientated side. Plans to play Christian Dailly as an anchor man were ditched, with free-kick expert Shaun Maloney preferred in midfield.

The home fans were soon roaring when Levan Kenia, 17 today, broke down the right.

And they were in full voice following an error by David Weir. The experienced defender could have left a speculative ball into Craig Gordon's area. But having not been given a shout, Weir opted for safety first and headed for a corner. When Zurab Menteshashvili's flag-kick came in, Mchedlidze rose above everyone to score with a header.

Scotland screamed blue murder for a penalty in the 35th minute, and not without plenty of justification.

Georgian skipper Zurab Khizanishvili brought down McFadden after he had been played in by Stephen Pearson, but German referee Knut Kirkher waved play on. McLeish said: "I felt we should have had a penalty.

"If we had got that and scored then it would have changed the complexion of the game. I've been told that it was a stonewall penalty."

Scotland knew it definitely wasn't their night when David Kvirkvelia, who controlled the midfield all evening, made ground down the left before pulling the ball back for Siradze to bullet home a shot from 10 yards. Manchester United's Darren Fletcher said: "If someone had offered us a situation at the start of the campaign where a win against Italy would take us to the finals, we would have taken that all day long."

Georgia: Makaridze, Shashiashvili, Asatiani, Salukvadze, Khizanishvili, Kankava, Menteshashvili, Kenia (Kandelaki 79), Kvirkvelia, Siradze (Jakobia 89), McHedlidze (Kvakhadze 85).

Scotland: Gordon, Murty, McManus, Weir, Alexander, Fletcher, Ferguson, Pearson (Boyd 66), Maloney, Miller (Beattie 66), McFadden.

.. AND GAMES TO PLAY

Nov 17: Lithuania v Ukraine; Scotland v Italy.

Nov 21: Italy v Faroe Islands; Georgia v Lithuania; Ukraine v France.
Mirror