..::Football II::..

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Pedro: Spain is the best team in history

Spain forward Pedro has voiced his belief the current national side is the best in history, but has warned that the team faces no easy task on Tuesday.

The reigning World and European champion squares off with France in its next qualifier for Brazil 2014, and Pedro has insisted the emerging talent in Les Bleus' squad, coupled with the impact of coach Didier Deschamps and established stars Franc Ribery and Karim Benzema, makes the team a force to be reckoned with.

"For its history, France is respected. With the arrival of Deschamps, the Blues have entered a phase of reconstruction," he said in an interview with lesparisiens.fr. "Many new players arrived such as [Yohan] Cabaye, [Mamadou] Sakho, [Etienne] Capoue, a player who combines power and elegance. Besides, there is Ribery and Benzema. France is a great nation. Do not think we will win easily.

"Against France, it's always special. It is true that currently, it is our turn to shine. But I am convinced that France will return soon. They are young."

Spain beat France 2-0 in the knockout phase of Euro 2012, but Pedro insists the match was not as straightforward as some made it out to be.

"Xabi [Alonso] gave us the advantage, but after, I assure you it was intense on the pitch," he went on. "You can not relax against Ribery and Benzema."

Ahead of the meeting in Madrid, comparisons have been drawn between the current Roja outfit and France's World Cup '98 and Euro 2000-winning side, which featured the likes of current boss Deschamps and former Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane.

Pedro, however, is in no doubt as to which team is the greatest of all time.

When asked if he felt he was part of the best team in history, he said: "Yes. Seeing the prize list, nobody has achieved what we did. On the pitch, we understand. And when you take pleasure in playing, it helps to communicate outside. There is really a great friendship between us. Some people have been fundamental in uniting like [Iker] Casillas, Xavi Alonso, hyper intelligent players. The arrival of Vicente del Bosque, too, was fundamental."

 

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Del Bosque: France qualifying clashes are akin to cup knockout matches

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque believes Tuesday's clash with France will be vital in deciding who progresses from Group I in UEFA World Cup qualifying, likening the qualifying meetings with the fellow European power to cup knockout matches.

"There will be 15 points left to play for after the match, but the two games against France may be vital," Del Bosque told reporters at a press conference. "It looks like one of us will qualify outright, and that makes the game a cup knockout which needs to be settled."

The two sides are joint leaders of the group after taking six points from their opening two matches. La Roja beat Belarus 4-0 last Friday to join France atop the table, while Les Bleus fell to Japan 1-0 in a friendly on Friday. The former Real Madrid coach is not reading too much into the latter of those two results, though, and pointed out France's evolution on the back of Euro 2012.

"They've made some substantial changes, particularly to the backbone," Del Bosque said. "The flanks and people up front are the same, but the strong men in central defense and midfield have changed.

Del Bosque also revealed that defender Sergio Ramos was not certain to be available for the encounter after picking up a knock, but stressed that "he would play if he's fit."

 

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Fabregas: I have changed my style of play for Barcelona

Cesc Fabregas has stated he has had to adapt his style of play since transferring from Arsenal to Barcelona because of the difference between the Premier League and La Liga.

Although the Spaniard joined Arsenal when he was 16-years-old, he still believes the basis of his game came from his coaching in the Barcelona academy, where he was trained before joining the Gunners.

"A lot of my style is based on that of the Premier League but with a base of La Masia [the Barcelona academy]," Fabregas told El Pais. "Returning to Barcelona took some work, because I had spent a long time doing other things. Here, there is more order. You have to live through it to understand the difference."

The 25-year-old midfielder also revealed how difficult it was to go from being considered the best player in his position at Arsenal, to a club where they have more competition for places.

"To play for the best team in the world is not easy," Fabregas said. "I was Arsenal captain, I felt super-important, and here you need to take on board that three of the five best players in the world play your position. [But] it is fantastic. All I can do is fight, learn and when one [of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi] is not there, play, work hard, and enjoy myself."

 

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Blatter: Messi and Ronaldo rivalry tremendous for the game

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has hailed the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as "tremendous" for the sport.

The Barcelona and Real Madrid stars have been at the center of a debate over who is the world's best player for a number of years, and the head of the sport's governing body beileves the competition is a great asset to the modern game.

Speaking after delivering a lecture in Geneva, the 76-year-old Blatter told reporters, "We face two men with a different game and perhaps contrasting personalities. This is a good thing for football. I find it something tremendous.

"This struggle to determine who is the best in the world and who is second is something that we also have to see in football. Football cannot have one type of player. Imagine there were two like Messi or two like Ronaldo. It would not work well. They are polar opposites and I believe it is tremendous for football to have personalities like them."

Both Messi and Ronaldo are favorites for this year's Ballon d'Or prize, a title that the Portuguese star won back in 2008 but has been held by the Argentine maestro for the last three years.

Blatter explained that FIFA does not have final say on who is given the award, but that national federations are the ones responsible for voting.

"FIFA (does) not choose who is best. It is not us who decides," Blatter said. "It is the federations that have the election and the president has neither the right to veto, nor the right to vote. It's something sporting."

 

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World Cup Qualifying Fixtures 2012.10.16

World Cup Qualifying Fixtures 2012.10.16

Group 1

Croatia Vs Wales
Macedonia Vs Serbia
Belgium Vs Scotland

Group 2

Czech Republic Vs Bulgaria
Italy Vs Denmark

Group 3

Faroe Island Vs Ireland
Austria Vs Kazakhstan
Germnay Vs Sweden

Group 4

Andorra Vs Estonia
Romania Vs Netherlands
Hungary Vs Turkey

Group 5

Cyprus Vs Norway
Iceland Vs Switzerland
Albania Vs Slovenia

Group 6

Russia Vs Azerbaijan
Israel Vs Luxemburg
Portugal Vs Nothern Ireland

Group 7

Latvia Vs Liechtenstein
Bosnia Vs Lithuania
Slovakia Vs Greece

Group 8

Ukraine Vs Montenegro
San Marino Vs Moldova
Poland Vs England

Group 9

Belarus Vs Geogia
Spain Vs France
​

 

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Spain 1-1 France: Giroud strikes late to earn Deschamps' side vital point

Spain hopes of a 25th consecutive win in qualifying were dashed after a last minute goal saw France record a 1-1 draw in an entertaining World Cup qualifying Group I clash at Vicente Calderon.

The opener came in the 25th minute through Sergio Ramos, who needed two attempts to divert the ball into the net after earlier hitting the bar. Despite French pressure, Cesc Fabregas would see a penalty saved by Hugo Lloris, with France being denied an equalizer due to the offside flag.

The visitors stepped up the pressure in the second half, but despite numerous opportunities, it wasn't until the 93rd minute in which substitute Olivier Giroud netted to secure a dramatic equalizer.

The world champions started the more emphatic of the two sides, with Jordi Alba causing havoc on the left wing. France, meanwhile would have to contend with a seriously inexperienced midfield, with Maxime Gonalons handed only his fifth cap ahead of Etienne Capoue.

Nevertheless, it would be Vicente del Bosque's men who would suffer the first blow. David Silva only lasted 12 minutes before being substituted in favor of Arsenal's Santi Cazorla, with the Manchester City star hobbling down the tunnel.

Didier Deschamps' men quickly slipped into the lull which marked their Euro 2012 exit at the hands of La Roja, and it seemed that history would repeat itself as Andres Iniesta galloped down the flank before a brilliant interjection by the returning Laurent Koscielny inside the box.

It wasn't long until the hosts took the lead, amidst poor defending from Les Bleus. Xavi's corner was imperiously met by Sergio Ramos, who would first head against the bar. Pedro's cross back into the danger-zone was parried by Hugo Lloris before the Real Madrid defender converted after 25 minutes to seize the advantage.

The visitors were in the ascendancy after conceding, and almost issued a response nine minutes later. Franck Ribery's simple pass found Karim Benzema in the box, with the striker forcing club teammate Iker Casillas into a fine low save as Deschamps' side rallied.

France would see a goal ruled out five minutes before the break. A brilliant delivery from Yohan Cabaye found Benzema at the far post, with the 24-year-old heading past Casillas, only for the German linesman to rule it out for offside, though replays would suggest otherwise.

Defensive instability came back to haunt the visitors, as Koscielny clattered into Pedro, with referee Felix Brych not hesitating to award a penalty. Up stepped Cesc Fabregas, whose powerful effort was superbly parried away by Lloris. The Tottenham custodian then produced a fantastic double save to deny Fabregas and Pedro just before the interval as La Roja failed to extend their advantage.

The hosts started the second half with similar injury concerns after Alvaro Arbeloa was forced off after a challenge by Ribery, with Atletico Madrid's Juanfran replacing the right-back. Though France did improve, creating more frequent attacking forays, it would continuously struggle against the speed of the hosts' passing movements.

Ribery was once more in the thick of things, as his fizzing shot from the edge of the box whistled narrowly past Casillas' post, before a tame header would be an easy catch for the captain. At the other end, Alba's surge to the by-line was hurriedly countered by Mamadou Sakho with the French noticeably on top.

The visitors were far more enterprising midway through the second period, and were unlucky not to have equalized once more as Benzema's movement on the left provided a low cross in towards Jeremy Menez, with the PSG winger unable to connect with what would've been a simple tap-in.

The lively Benzema would once more get in behind the Spanish rearguard after latching onto a fine pass from the midfield, before his cross into Moussa Sissoko at the far post would be poorly fired over by the Toulouse midfielder as Les Bleus' frantic search for a deserved goal was prolonged.

Indeed the wait would last until the 93rd minute, in the last move of the game, a speculative cross from Ribery, was turned in by the head of the substitute Giroud to send the stadium into silence and hand the advantage to France.

France tops the group on seven points, with Spain in second by virtue of head-to head. The champions travel to Panama for a friendly in November, with Deschamps' side tackling Italy ahead of the resumption of qualifying in March 2013.

 

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Aparade Spain dinanna thibba Match 1kaAnyway Congratzzzzzz Spain!

VAMOS ESPANA​

 

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Germany 4-4 Sweden: Germany stunned as Elm completes Sweden's incredible four-goal comeback

Germany threw away a four-goal lead, as a late Sweden comeback saw the two sides share a point in a wild 4-4 World Cup qualifying draw at the Olympiastadion.

Miroslav Klose got the hosts off to a brilliant start as he netted two early goals, putting him two strikes away from equalling Gerd Muller's record of 68 goals for Germany. Per Mertesacker added another before the break, and soon after the restart Mesut Ozil gave Joachim Low's side a comfortable lead.

The Swedes responded impressively in the second half, with Erik Hamren's halftime substitutions having a great effect, as they had a hand in all the goals. Strikes from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mikael Lustig and Johan Elmander set up a tense finish, and the visitors completed an astounding comeback in stoppage time through Rasmus Elm.

Sweden began its ascent in 62nd minute as Ibrahimovic beat the offside trap to steer a header past Manuel Neuer from Kim Kallstrom's ball forward. Seemingly galvanized by that goal, another ball over the top, again courtesy of Kallstrom, created another chance for the visitors. Lustig controlled it well, and with his second touch powered a shot at Neuer that somehow squirmed into the goal.

Tthe Swedes then came to within one goal of the hosts, stunning the Berlin crowd in the process. In space on the left, Alexander Kacanikilic picked out Elmander who beat Holger Badstuber to the ball and poked it in at the far post.

Tobias Sana blazed over in front of an open goal in the 85th minute, but unperturbed, Sweden found the eqaulizer at the death. A cross from the left was not dealt with by Mertesacker and his loose header fell to Elm who volleyed in to complete the remarkable comeback.

The first half could not have contrasted more starkly, as following their 6-1 thumping of Republic of Ireland, the Germans got straight into their stride. Less than two minutes had been played when Andreas Isaksson stopped Thomas Muller and the follow-up effort crashed off the post.

The Germans took the lead in the eighth minute, though. Philipp Lahm played Marco Reus in at the byline and his cutback was smashed into the top corner by Klose to finish a brilliant move. Things only got better for the hosts as Klose added his second in the 15th minute following some intricate one-touch play. Reus initiated the move, scything his way into the box with two successive one-twos before pulling the ball back to the 34-year-old, who fired home at the second time of asking.

After stepping off the gas midway through the half, Low's men soon reasserted themselves, and following Isaksson's save to keep Reus out, they got their third in the 39th minute. A cross from the left was kept in play at the back post by Muller, whose looped header was rifled past the keeper by an unmarked Mertesacker.

Germany did not let up after the break, and after Muller was once more denied by Isaksson, he delivered a cross that found Ozil at the back post. The Real Madrid man controlled the ball on his chest before angling a shot into the far corner.

The result means Germany has surrendered its perfect record in Group C but remains three points clear of second-placed Sweden.

 

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OMG!mekanam pattama Comeback 1kak

 

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Belgium 2-0 Scotland: Benteke and Kompany pile the pressure on Levein

Second half strikes from Christian Benteke and Vincent Kompany put another nail in Scotland’s World Cup chances as Belgium claimed a comfortable victory.

The defeat will see the pressure intensify on under pressure boss Craig Levein after his side failed to win any of its first four games.

Belgium had such strength in depth that the team was able to drop Chelsea star Eden Hazard, while the visiting side was forced to bring in Wigan midfielder James McArthur in place of the injured Scott Brown.

The home side almost took the lead after a slack clearance by Gary Caldwell allowed Dries Mertens a sight at Allan McGregor’s goal, but the keeper made two superb stops to deny the midfielder.

The home side continued to pepper McGregor’s goal as Nacer Chadli had a couple of efforts at goal, while Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen also tried his luck, but neither could find a way past the stopper.

Midway through the half Scotland had its first opportunity as Shaun Maloney curled a superb free kick from 35 yards after Kris Commons had been hauled down, but Thibaut Courtois managed to palm the ball away.

The flood of chances going towards the Scotland goal continued as Chadli had another attempt with a curling shot. Mousa Dembele had a long range effort and then Mertens had a chance to put the home side ahead after a cross from the right by Kevin De Bruyne, but the visiting defense managed to hold.

The last chance of the half came the Scots way as Commons attempted a free kick from just outside the box, but Belgian stopper Courtois stretched out to divert the ball away yet again.

Marc Wilmots side should have taken the lead just after the interval as a cross from Toby Alderweireld was headed towards goal by Benteke, but the Aston Villa striker’s effort went over the bar.

Despite having all the possession, Scotland continued to have the odd chance, as both Steven Fletcher and substitute Jamie Mackie attempted to get onto a cross from the left wing, but Vertonghen managed to hook the ball away for a corner.

With the home fans getting frustrated, Belgium had yet another set of chances, with Hazard trying his luck with a long range free kick and De Bryune also forcing McGregor into making a save with an effort from a similar range.

The breakthrough came moments later as De Bryune crossed from the left wing after a short corner, to the back post for Benteke to rise above both Danny Fox and Christophe Berra and bullet his header into the back of the net.

It didn’t take long for Belgium to add to the advantage as Kompany received the ball on the edge of the area and twisted and turned James McArthur, before rifling the ball past the helpless McGregor to double the lead.

The home side comfortably saw out the rest of the game as the pressure continues to mount on Craig Levein.

 

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Croatia 2-0 Wales: Mandzukic and Eduardo bring Coleman back down to earth

Wales' World Cup qualification hopes were further dented as the Dragons went down to a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Croatia.

The home side was dominant in the first half, and took the lead in the 26th minute after a defensive error from Ashley Williams and Lewis Price gifted Mario Mandzukic an easy goal.

Croatia continued to dominate in the second half, and doubled the advantage thanks to a tap-in from Eduardo.

The Croatians dominated possession in the early stages, with midfielder Luka Modric having a confident penalty appeal rejected by the referee in the 13th minute.

It took until the 19th minute for either side to create a clear chance, and unsurprisingly it was Gareth Bale who did so for Wales, cutting in from the right and letting fly with a shot that went just wide.

However, the Croatians had a chance of their own just four minutes later, and it took a good save from Price to keep out a stinging volley from Milan Badelj.

Unfortunately, in the 26th minute Wales fell behind, as a short back pass from Williams put Price under a lot of pressure, and Mandzukic was on hand to take advantage of the error and give the home side the lead.

The home side should have doubled the lead just four minutes later, but Eduardo inexplicably missed a free header.

The Welsh were struggling to keep the ball for any time at all, and were grateful to some superb saves from Price that kept the deficit to just one goal at halftime.

The second half began in a similar vein, and the Croats were unlucky not to extend their lead in the 47th minute as Mandzukic saw a shot deflected behind by Williams.

The Welsh simply could not get hold of the ball, and Mandzukic was in once again one-on-one with Price in the 56th minute, but the Welshman saved well once again.

However, Croatia was not to be denied, and just a minute later doubled the advantage as Eduardo tapped home after a corner caused havoc in the Wales penalty area.

The away side was being placed under immense pressure by the hosts, with Luka Modric dominating the midfield.

However, the Welsh thought they had pulled a goal back after a superb header from Andy King, but Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa was on the line to catch the ball safely.

This scare seemed to galvanize the home side, and once again it had a superb chance as Eduardo saw a header cannon off the crossbar before the ensuing goalmouth scramble saw Wales just keep the ball out.

From then on, Croatia continued to dominate possession, and was able to hold on for the win despite some mazy runs from Bale.

 

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Italy 3-1 Denmark: Balotelli seals win for 10-man Azzurri

Italy strengthened its grip on top spot in 2014 World Cup qualifying Group B by overcoming the dismissal of Pablo Osvaldo to defeat Denmark 3-1 at San Siro on Tuesday night.

Having withstood intense early pressure, the Azzurri stunned their visitors with two goals in the space of four minutes through Riccardo Montolivo and Daniele De Rossi to put themselves in a commanding position with halftime looming.

However, William Kvist halved the home side's advantage with a volley before Osvaldo gave the Danes further grounds for optimism by getting himself dismissed early in the second half.

Mario Balotelli came to the Azzurri's aid, though, converting a terrific pass from the equally influential Andrea Pirlo to clinch a win that saw the Euro 2012 runners-up make it 10 points from a possible 12 so far in Group B.

Cesare Prandelli made four changes to the defence that had started in Armenia, which could perhaps explain why the hosts looked so shaky at the back inside the opening quarter. However, it was more down to the fact that the Danish midfield overran their Azzurri counterparts early on, thus allowing them to fully exploit Andrea Barzagli’s total inability to deal with Nicklas Bendtner in the air.

Indeed, the on-loan Juventus man really should have done better after being picked out by the marauding Lars Jacobsen inside the opening three minutes. Christian Eriksen then stung the palms of Morgan De Sanctis with a terrific drive from distance as the visitors continued to dominate, but Italy gradually began to gain a foothold in the game and was desperately unfortunate not to open the scoring 18 minutes in, when Claudio Marchisio unleashed a sublime curling effort from the edge of the area that seemed destined for the top corner until Simon Kjaer popped up to block on the line.

Moments later, though, De Sanctis came to the Azzurri’s rescue again, somehow managing to keep out a low drive from Kvist with his knees. It was a highly unorthodox but undeniably crucial intervention from the Napoli goalkeeper because Italy broke the deadlock with its next attack, Montolivo arrowing a ball into the bottom corner of the Danish net after latching onto a sublime lay-off from Balotelli.

Denmark was still coming to terms with that setback when Italy struck again, Andrea Pirlo outfoxing Michael Silberbaeur on the right-hand side before crossing for De Rossi to head home.

The visitors were well and truly reeling now but they deservedly dragged themselves back into contention right on the stroke of halftime when the impressive Kvist guided a side-footed volley from a deflected Jacobsen cross past De Sanctis.

The Danes then sensed a famous win on Italian soil when Osvaldo stupidly got himself sent off for lashing out at Nicolai Stokholm less than 40 seconds after the interval. However, the loss of a man actually seemed to galvanize the Azzurri, and Balotelli in particular.

Indeed, the enigmatic forward played the lone forward role to great effect and got his just rewards for doing so when Pirlo picked out his well-timed run in behind the Denmark defense with a typically measured pass, allowing Balotelli to deftly flick the ball past Stephan Andersen.

There was no way back for Denmark thereafter, meaning its hopes of qualifying for the World Cup are now hanging by a thread, with just two points after three games played. Italy, by contrast, is already well on the way to Rio.

 

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Romania 1-4 Netherlands: Oranje go clear in Group D after confident victory

Netherlands maintained its perfect World Cup 2014 qualification record with a 4-1 win in Romania on Tuesday, a result that saw the Oranje overtake their hosts at the top of Group D.

A thrilling first half saw Jeremain Lens and Bruno Martins Indi put the visitors two goals ahead in the opening 30 minutes, before a brilliant solo effort from Ciprian Marica pulled the hosts back into the tie. The Dutch would take a two-goal lead into the halftime break, though, with Rafael van der Vaart converting from the spot in added time. A late Robin van Persie strike sealed the victory for his side.

The match began in frantic fashion with both sides applying immediate pressure. The hosts were handed the first chance of note when nervy play at the back culminated in Johnny Heitinga fouling his opponent, with Gabriel Torje coming within inches of converting the resulting free kick. The 22-year-old's curling effort rocketed off the underside of the crossbar, allowing the visitors to clear.

The Oranje were on hand to respond just minutes later though, with Lens opening the scoring in the ninth minute. A poor clearance from Romania keeper Ciprian Tatarusano found the PSV man on the edge of the area, whose speculative header found its way into the back of the net.

The opening goal sparked a frenzied attack from the hosts, Gheorghe Grozav soon beating the offside trap to find himself one-on-one with Maarten Stekelenburg. The striker's attempt was straight at the Roma stopper however, and the 29-year-old confidently collected the effort.

Romania's offensive intentions left gaps to be exploited for the Dutch however, who quickly settled into a midfield rhythm. The Oranje nearly doubled their lead off a corner in the 17th minute, when Van Persie's classy flick was well parried by Tatarusano. A free kick from range was mishit by the Manchester United forward shortly after, as the visitors continued to draw fouls from the hosts in the final third.

It was from a set piece that Netherlands found its second goal, with Martens Indi tapping home a Rafael van der Vaart free kick to double his side's lead on the half hour mark. The Feyenoord defender was allowed to drift away from his marker as the ball curled in, and converted with the simplest of finishes from point-blank range.

The Tricolori piled on the pressure with halftime approaching, and Marica pulled the hosts back into it with a virtuoso goal in the 39th minute. The Schalke forward beat three Dutch defenders en route to the edge of the area, where he unleashed a low drive past Stekelenburg to halve the Oranje's lead.

The Dutch were able to restore their two-goal lead before the break, when Gabriel Tamas brought down Luciano Narsingh with the ball seemingly rolling out of play. Van der Vaart confidently stepped up to convert the resultant penalty, rocketing a low drive past the hands of Tatarusano.

Tempers boiled over as the match drew to a close, with the home crowd seething at the decision to deny the hosts a penalty. A flurry of bookings were issued in the final 10 minutes, but the Dutch maintained their composure to put the match to bed in the 85th minute. Narsingh found Van Persie with a brilliantly weighted low delivery from the right, which the Manchester United striker converted in clinical fashion.

The Netherlands now tops group D with 12 points, while Romania finds itself tied for second with Hungary.

 

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Mexico 2-0 El Salvador: Mexico closes semifinals with six wins from six

The result in Torreon was never going to matter much to a Mexico side already qualified for the Hexagonal, but the home side nevertheless looked like the one with more to play for as El Tri saw off El Salvador with relative ease, 2-0.Coach Jose Manuel De la Torre opted for a mostly alternative lineup to the close-to-first-choice team he had sent out against Guyana four days earlier.

The defensive line of four was anchored once again by Maza Rodriguez, but he paired with newcomer Joel Huiqui in the middle. Severo Meza returned to the right flank while Adrian Aldrete turned up on the left.In midfield, the two holding mid scheme remained in tact, with Jorge Enriquez getting the start alongside Carlos Peña. Andres Guardado took his usual left wing spot with Angel Reyna out on the right, and Oribe Peralta and Aldo Di Nigris providing the targets up top.

Predictably after so many changes, El Tri started the match off in fits and starts, as both sides approached the rival’s area to generate half chances without really looking threatening.

In the 32nd Mexico finally created a clear opportunity when Reyna danced his way by a defender on the right side and served a ball into the box. Aldrete ran onto to it but was caught in two minds and skied his close range attempt well over Dagoberto Portillo’s goal.

After a close range Guardado effort was blocked before it could get to the goal, Di Nigris let a golden chance go begging when he opted to try to cross the ball rather than shooting at goal with only Portillo to beat.Minutes later, Reyna shifted momentarily over to the center and beat three Salvadorans with a slicing run before gliding a smooth chip just over the goal.

The match would head to halftime scoreless, becoming increasingly more meaningless for both teams as Costa Rica pulled away from Guyana in San Jose, leaving El Salvador with no chance of advancing no matter the result.With nothing on the line, the second half quickly became a scrimmage, with finishing on both sides more befitting of a back lot pick up game. Seven minutes in, Guardado was in free on the left side, and his delicate chip beat Portillo but slid just wide of the goal.

Mexico was peppering the Salvadoran goal now, and after Di Nigris once again misfired from close range, Portillo came out his net to hack down Peña from behind on the right side of the box. Everything looked fine to Panamanian referee Jafeth Perea, though, and the match continued scoreless.

That would change shortly after, when Peralta finally brought the deadlock to an end in the 64th minute. The Torreon native tapped home with ease after Portillo spilled a rebound from a Reyna shot off a short corner.

By then Chepo De la Torre had brought on Javier Hernandez and Elias Hernandez, and with the addition of Hector Herrera immediately after the goal the Mexican offense began to flow more smoothly.Herrera nearly converted in the 71st minute just four minutes after coming on, striking the woodwork with a shot from outside the box.

Mexico would have several more chances from close range as El Salvador appeared to throw in the towel, but the second wouldn’t come until the dying minutes when Elias Hernandez slipped free on the right wing and fed the ball into the area for Chicharito to expertly guide home.

That closed out a remarkably successful semifinal round for El Tri, which took a perfect 18 points from six games in what had at first seemed a complicated draw. Mexico now sets itself on next year’s Hexagonal, which begins in February.

 

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Chile 1-2 Argentina: Messi and Higuain clinch vital win in Santiago

Goals from Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain led Argentina to a smash and grab victory on Tuesday evening, downing Chile 2-1 to extend its lead at the top of World Cup qualifying.

The visitors were let off the hook several times by poor finishing in a brilliant first half, and netted twice in the same period to take another giant leap towards Brazil while Felipe Gutierrez restored some pride for the hosts with his injury-time strike.

Already assured of staying at the CONMEBOL summit come the end of 2012 thanks to Ecuador's draw against Venezuela, Argentina nevertheless came out looking for an instant advantage. A mazy run from Lionel Messi opened the game up for Angel Di Maria on the left, but the midfielder shot wide with time to hit the target. In the opening exchanges, however, it was Chile which set the tempo.

Argentina was under the cosh, but wasted no time in teaching its rival the danger of squandering an early flurry of opportunities. A pinpoint Fernando Gago ball found Messi onside and unmarked; 'La Pulga' released a touch of exquisite simplicity to steady himself, before stroking the ball past Miguel Pinto to net his 31st international goal.

Just seconds later, Chile's woes were doubled. Higuain took the ball wide on the right and ghosted into the box, his left-footed effort giving the keeper no chance and making it 2-0 for the confident visitors.

The rest of the first-half passed in frenetic fashion, as Chile's eagerness to find the net led to as many chances for the Albiceleste as for those in red. Medel had an excellent shout for a penalty after bulldozing his way past two defenders, and then saw his first touch let him down as he hesitated free on the right and allowed Angel Di Maria to make a last-ditch intervention.

At the other end, Sergio Aguero shrugged off the attention of the defense with a wonderful flick, and only a strong save from Pinto forced the ball onto the post to avoid a third. Chile had been more the match of its visitor in Santiago, but nevertheless went into the break trailing by two and with work to do.

The game took on a slightly more sedate pace following the interval, but there were still chances to spare. Federico Fernandez came within inches of connecting with Messi's free-kick and notching the third, while Sebastian Pinto went close for Chile. The striker connected well with Jean Beausejour's cross, but could not steer his effort on goal and missed a fabulous opportunity.

Higuain's withdrawal after suffering a heavy challenge led to the entry of Pablo Guinazu and a more conservative Argentina performance than early on, as it saw out the remaining minutes with minimal fuss. Chile pulled one back in injury time through Felipe Gutierrez, but it was too little too late and the Roja had to watch their neighbors see out a 2-1 win that marks their fourth victory in five World Cup qualifying games over the course of 2012.

The triumph means Argentina enjoys a three-point lead at the top of the South American group, leading Ecuador with 20 while Colombia lies one further back with a game in hand. Chile, meanwhile, is level on points with Venezuela and Uruguay with 12, just outside of the spots guaranteeing a place in Brazil 2014.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

USA 3-1 Guatemala: Americans progress to the Hexagonal

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The U.S. national team secured progression to the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying thanks to a 3-1 win over Guatemala on Tuesday. Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey (twice) scored in the come-from-behind win, after Carlos Ruiz put Guatemala ahead early.

"It's definitely a good way to end that first round and advance and make it clear that we were the No. 1 team in that group," Jurgen Klinsmann said.

Jamaica beat Antigua and Barbuda 4-1 in the group's other game to join the United States in the Hexagonal.

In Kansas City, the blustery winds before the match died down by kickoff, only to be replaced by the bluster of American fan noise from the sellout crowd of nearly 17,000. The American Outlaws in particular, sitting under banners reading “Fight like hell” and “Home of the brave,” provided boisterous support that rebounded off the half-roof of LIVESTRONG Sporting Park to amplify the volume.

The stadium fell silent, however, five minutes into the match. Carlos Bocanegra and Geoff Cameron sat too far apart and too high. Jose Contreras lifted the ball into the yawning green between them, and Carlos Ruiz lumbered in on goal alone. The Guatemalan captain skipped around Tim Howard and tucked it away.

Ruiz hurt his hand on the advertising boards celebrating, but the damage was done to the United States.

"We didn't need to take that first goal. That was not necessary," Klinsmann said. "The good thing was they responded right away and turned it around immediately. That calmed things down."

Jurgen Klinsmann's side responded swiftly, with Bocanegra redeeming himself. Clint Dempsey headed down a Graham Zusi corner, and the U.S. captain tipped it over the line from close range.

The goal, Bocanegra's 14th for the United States, marked a U.S. record for defenders, edging the Racing Santander defender ahead of Marcelo Balboa.

Eight minutes on and the Americans took the lead. Steve Cherundolo pushed a precise ball through the high Guatemalan backline where Eddie Johnson, who had recently switched flanks with Zusi, latched onto it and laid a low cross in front of goal. Clint Dempsey slid in to awkwardly bundle the ball across the line.

Ten minutes before halftime, Deuce hit his double. Michael Bradley let Zusi's ball in from the wing slip under his foot. Herculez Gomez immediately played the ball ahead to Bradley, who dinked the ball around the onrushing goalkeeper. Dempsey tapped it in on the line.

"Michael did another good job of chipping the keeper," Dempsey said. "I was in a situation where I didn't know if it was going to roll in or not. I decided to take it because I didn't know if it was going to hit the post or not."

Dempsey now has 30 international goals, joint third with Brian McBride on the all-time U.S. scoring charts.

"It's one of those where once one falls maybe a second, maybe a third will fall as well," Steve Cherundolo said. "So it was fortunate we got three in the first half."

At halftime Guatemala coach Ever Hugo Almeida chucked Minor Lopez and Marco Pappa into the match. After a flurry of aggressive attacking play from the rejuvenated Guatemalans, the United States started finding traction on the counterattack.

Eddie Johnson whiffed on an open cross and shortly thereafter shoved a rebound shot straight at the goalkeeper. The Americans continued to create the better chances, including a substantial penalty shout when Ruiz scythed down Bradley, though Contreras' stinging shot did force a kick-save out of Howard.

The result leaves the USA top of Group A with 13 points. Jamaica, tied with Guatemala on 10 points, progresses, along with the Yanks, to the Hexagonal thanks to goal differential.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Portugal 1-1 Northern Ireland: Postiga saves hosts but World Cup hopes dealt damaging blow

Helder Postiga's late equalizer bailed out a below-par Portugal side after Niall McGinn had given Northern Ireland a shock lead at the Estadio do Dragao on the night Cristiano Ronaldo won his 100th Seleccao cap.

Michael O'Neill's side travelled to Porto with eight players out injured and Gareth McAuley suspended, but managed to take the lead after half an hour through McGinn, as Portugal was caught napping at the back.

Portugal rallied and spent the rest of the encounter attacking, but the hosts never looked too likely to score as Ronaldo floundered and their defense looked increasingly shaky.

Northern Ireland had been adventurous all night - especially considering the under-strength lineup - and the visitors' positive outlook paid off when Jonny Evans won the ball in his own half, burst forward and picked out Kyle Lafferty. The Sion forward advanced on the home defense before picking out McGinn, who was completely free on the left after outpacing Joao Pereira, to take a touch and fire over Patricio to record his first competitive goal for the Green and White Army.

The visitors had to ride their luck following the goal, with Aaron Hughes almost heading into his own net before Craig Cathcart crashed Pereira's cross past Roy Carroll, only to see the ball come back off the crossbar.

Later on, Ronaldo had a 30-yard effort blocked by the imperious Evans, but went closer after 58 minutes when his half-volley from around the penalty spot was saved smartly by Carroll. The goalkeeper also did well to keep out a long-range effort from halftime substitute Ruben Amorim, and moments later Steven Davis almost sliced Pepe's weak cross over his own goalkeeper.

Ronaldo went close again with 20 minutes on the clock, but Hughes was on hand to get in a timely block as the Real Madrid forward set his sights on the elusive equalizer.

Postiga fired a shot straight down the throat of Carroll on 76 minutes, before stretching the keeper again three minutes later. But the Zaragoza striker went one better seconds afterwards when the ball fell to him inside the six-yard box. After Nani failed to make proper contact with Bruno Alves' header, Postiga brought it down, swivelled and stroked in the equalizer to the sheer delight of the home fans.

It has been a disastrous couple of games for Portugal, however. Following defeat against Russia on Friday, the Portuguese have taken just one point from two games and they now have a big job on their hands to make it to Brazil 2014.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Honduras 8-1 Canada: Embarrassment in San Pedro Sula

It was a disaster for Canada as Honduras opened the floodgates in San Pedro Sula, cruising to a 8-1 World Cup qualifying victory and officially eliminating the Canadians from contention.

Jerry Bengtson and Carlos Costly scored hat tricks for Honduras, while Mario Martinez had a brace. Iain Hume scored the Canucks' only goal after the team had fallen into a six-goal hole.

Canada finishes in third place in Group C. Honduras and Panama advance to the Hexagonal.

The match actually opened brightly for the visitors, who nearly found the net first though Tosaint Ricketts. The striker received a pass in the second minute across the box from Nik Ledgerwood, who had stripped a Honduran defender on the right side and served in the ball inside the six.

Ricketts couldn't get the ball out of his feet in time, and the Hondurans recovered just before he could slot it into the gaping net.

A few minutes later, it was Ricketts again that should have done better in front of goal, as an Atiba Hutchinson shot hit the post and rebounded to the 25-year-old. Again, Ricketts couldn't get a clean strike on goal, and the ball was blocked before it could reach the wide open goal.

The pair of missed chances seemed to galvanize the home side, which pushed forward with purpose and looked dangeround on every offensive thrust. Canada held out until the seventh minute, when Bengston found himself all alone inside the Canadian area and chipped an onrushing Lars Hirschfeld for the opening strike.

It was all downhill for Canada at that point, as Bengston doubled the lead ten minutes later following a Julian de Guzman turnover at midfield. Honduras added a third and a fourth by the 33th minute, and within the virtual blink of an eye Canada's hopes were pummeled.

The goals kept raining in when the second half commenced, as Honduras walked in almost unchallenged and grabbed a fifth through Costly. The hosts would pot three more before all was said and done, giving the home crowd reason to keep the party going.

Canada did find the net once, as Hume drew a free kick at the top of the Honduran box in the 77th minute and curled a well-struck shot into the far corner, but it was little consolation on a night when the Canadians did little more than provide cannon fodder.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Canada coach Stephen Hart: “We were horrible”

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – To call that game a disaster simply wouldn’t quite do it justice.

Needing just a point to reach the Hexagonal for the first time in four World Cup cycles, Canada wasn’t just hit by a Honduran truck: they were hit and run over repeatedly as Jerry Bengston and Carlo Costly each had hat-tricks and helped Honduras to an 8-1 victory which crushed Canada’s World Cup aspirations.



The game was already over before the conclusion of the first half as Bengston scored twice and Costly and Mario Martinez each added a goal apiece to give the Hondurans a 4-0 lead at the break.Canada head coach Stephen Hart didn’t excuse his team’s performance.

“You’re supposed to go down all guns blazing,” said an emotional Hart. “You’re supposed to fight. You’re supposed to die out there. We were horrible.”

Two minutes into the game, Canada came close to scoring first when Tosaint Ricketts couldn’t control a Simeon Jackson cross, one that would have probably been easier to head in the back of the net instead. And a few minutes later, with Canada unable to clear, Bengston was through on goal and Honduras found itself on the scoreboard.

Canada tried to respond and came close when Simeon Jackson’s shot went off the post and Ricketts missed the impending rebound, but again it was Honduras that would score as Bengston found himself unmarked in the 16th minute and banged in a rebound off a Lars Hirschfeld save.

“It was almost like you get a little foothold and a couple passes and then we give away a stupid pass, it breaks down and bang—it’s a goal,” said Kevin McKenna, who admitted he’ll be taking a few weeks to decide what his international future holds.“I can't believe they’re scoring on every single chance.”

With the game and their World Cup hopes all but dashed, it was just a matter of finishing the second 45 minutes, but it was an agonizing one as Honduras added four more.Costly banged in a Martinez cross just three minutes into the half and Martinez’s left-footed stunner made it 6-0.

Though Iain Hume scored on a free kick in the 76th minute, Honduras answered with two more goals of its own as both Bengston and Costly capped off the game with hat-tricks and put an end to what had been a promising qualifying run for the Reds.

“You want desperately for Canada to do well,” Hart said. “All I can do is ask the fans’ forgiveness on behalf of the players. I know they’ll never forgive me.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schweinsteiger left stunned after Germany throws away four-goal lead

Bastian Schweinsteiger was left stunned after Germany failed to defeat Sweden in their World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday, despite leading 4-0 with half an hour to go.


The Nationalelf had held a seemingly unassailable lead after a Miroslav Klose double and further strikes from Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil.

But Sweden star Zlatan Ibrahimovic then scored to spark an unbelievable comeback which was completed by Rasmus Elm.

"I do not understand it. Nowadays it is already not [good] enough when two or three players do not run enough," the Bayern Munich player told ARD.

"But with us, everybody was one step behind. And so you concede four goals against Sweden.

"Never in a lifetime could we not have won this match. I do not remember this ever happening to us.

"I honestly do not care [what the media and public will say now]."

Like his teammate, Toni Kroos was also at a loss to explain what had happened.

"This is hard to explain to be honest, said the 22-year-old. "Anything can happen, when everything seems to be over.

"Sweden fought for every meter and we were not able to get back on track. Everything [seemed to be] working for us.

"We played beautiful football and scored brilliant goals. Then you start to think that everything will take care of itself. That is the mistake.

"We should have followed through until the end. This should not happen to a team like ours."