TheSportsCampus

The long, winding road to Brazil 2014 began in earnest last night as the European leg of the World Cup qualifiers kicked-off. All the big guns endured a happy night but for Italy as the 2012 Euro finalists were held to a 2-2 draw by Bulgaria. England thrashed Moldova 5-0 while their great rivals France edged Finland 1-0. Germany strolled to a 3-0 victory over the Faroe Islands while their arch-enemies Holland began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat of Turkey. Finally, Russia and Portugal also opened their accounts with a victory a piece while Bosnia and Herzegovina provided the fireworks on the night by hammering Liechtenstein 8-1.

England kick-started yet another campaign for a major tournament with promising signs as Roy Hodgson’s outfit struck five past Group H opponents Moldova. Frank Lampard netted a brace, with his first coming from the penalty box on 4 minutes before he made it 2-0 on 29 minutes. Jermain Defoe then broke open the floodgates three minutes later, turning in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross with ease. Steve Gerrard hobbled off at the end of the 1^st half but England continued to press as James Milner added a 4^th on 74 minutes before the scoring was rounded-off by Leighton Baines’ free-kick on 83 minutes.

Group B began in cracking fashion as Bulgaria and Italy played out an entertaining 2-2 at Sofia. The Bulgarians opened the scoring on the half-hour mark courtesy of Stanislav Manolev’s stunning strike. But the Italians were ahead by the break as Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo struck a quick brace, netting twice in the space of three minutes to put Italy 2-1 ahead in 40 minutes. The home side were about to give up though as Georgi Milanov equalized on 66 minutes and but for Gianluigi Buffon, the Bulgarians would have found a winner.

It was the night for midfielder’s in Group C as Germany emerged 3-0 victors from their home game against Faroe Islands, with Mario Gotze and Mesut Ozil the goal-scorers. The minnows maintained a tight ship at the back until the 28^th minute when Gotze opened the scoring with a simple finish. The Germans pushed forward in search of a 2^nd goal and it arrived nine minutes after the restart through Ozil, who then secured the three points by adding a 3^rd on 71 minutes. Faroe Islands’ keeper Gunnar Nelson deserves special mention as the ex-Man City stopper turned in a heroic display in goal.

Netherlands were made to fight hard for the three points against Turkey, with Robin van Persie the hero for the Dutch. The Manchester United striker maintained his purple patch by scoring the opener on 16 minutes, heading in Wesley Sneijder’s corner to kill Turkey’s great start to the game. But the Turks regained their composure to pepper Tim Krul’s goal, with Umut Bulut even hitting the woodwork. And, it wasn’t until Luciano Narsingh’s injury-time goal that the home side were home and dry. Elsewhere in Group D, Hungary thrashed Andorra 5-0 while Romania overcame Estonia 2-0.

Cristiano Ronaldo finally had something to smile about as the ‘sad’ star from Real Madrid turned in a match-winning performance for Portugal against Luxemburg. The former Manchester United star was on-hand to draw the Portuguese level on 28 minutes after Daniel Da Mota Alves had given Luxemburg a surprise lead. Helder Postiga then wrapped up the points nine minutes after the break with a shot from the right. Portugal’s biggest rival in Group F, Russia also began their campaign with a win as Fabio Capello was a happy man after their 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland. Viktor Fayzulin put them ahead on the half-hour mark with a sweet strike. And, the Russians had to wait till the 78^th minute to double their lead as Roman Shirokov converted from the spot after Craig Cathcart was deemed to have fouled Alexander Kokorin.

Arsenal’s Abou Diaby continued his great start to the season as the midfielder scored the solitary goal in France’s narrow win over Finland. Karim Benzema setup Diaby for the goal on 20 minutes as the Didier Deschamps-ear began with a win for Les Blues. Spain are yet to begin their campaign in Group I on Tuesday against Georgia.

Results:

Group A:
Croatia   1 - 0    Macedonia
Wales   0 - 2    Belgium
Group B:
Malta   0 - 1   Armenia
Bulgaria    2 - 2  Italy
Group C:
Kazakhstan    1 - 2   Ireland
Germany    3 - 0   Faroe Islands
Group D:
Estonia   0 - 2  Romania
Andorra    0 - 5  Hungary
Netherlands    2 - 0  Turkey
Group E:
Albania    3 - 1  Cyprus
Slovenia   0 - 2  Switzerland
Iceland    2 - 0  Norway
Group F:
Russia   2 - 0  Northern Ireland
Azerbaijan    1 - 1  Israel
Luxembourg  1 - 2  Portugal
Group G:
Liechtenstein    1 - 8  Bosnia-Herzegovina
Lithuania    1 - 1  Slovakia
Latvia    1 - 2  Greece
Group H:
Montenegro    2 - 2    Poland
Moldova   0 - 5    England
Group I:
Georgia   1 - 0   Belarus
Finland  0 - 1    France