Published 3/25/2007 8:58:21 AM by ESPNsoccernet from ESPN SoccerNet

Israel 0-0 England: Bore draw
Disgruntled England fans turned on coach Steve McClaren as their Euro 2008 qualification hopes took another downturn. A 4,000-strong travelling army chanted 'What a load of rubbish' and 'You don't know what you're doing' as England drew their fourth blank in five games against a determined, but limited Israel outfit. Taken in isolation, a draw in the Ramat Gan Stadium, where the hosts have lost just once in seven years, is no disaster.

But, given England's superiority, it was a definite chance missed and coming on the back of the disastrous October double-header during which they dropped two points at home to Macedonia before losing in Croatia, has raised major question marks over McClaren's ability to take them to next year's Finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Certainly, the patience of the paying public is wearing exceptionally thin, with support in some quarters disappearing altogether as England stumble on to Barcelona and a meaningless meeting with Group E minnows Andorra.

Spain 2-1 Denmark: Spaniards hold on
Spain gave their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign a major boost on Saturday night with a crucial victory against 10-man Denmark at the Bernabeu.

Valencia duo Fernando Morientes, with his 27th international strike, and David Villa netted first-half goals as Spain moved onto six points with only their second win in four Group F matches. Denmark, who were unbeaten in their three qualifiers, pulled a goal back just after half-time through Michael Gravgaard but they could not add to that as a nervy Spain held on for a vital three points.

The Danes enjoyed the better of the opening excahanges, with Dennis Rommedahl and Daniel Agger both trying their luck early on, before two clumsy challenges from Niclas Jensen saw the momentum swing Spain's way. Jensen had only just been booked three minutes earlier when he scythed down Villa to earn his second yellow card, and an early bath.

That came in just the 20th minute, and Spain made sure the numerical advantage did not go to waste thanks to goals from Morientes and Villa. Morientes opened the scoring in the 33rd minute after cleverly turning inside Agger and slotting past Thomas Sorensen, before Villa made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time with another clinical finish.

The players left the pitch at the interval to a carnival atmosphere at a buoyant Bernabeu, with the home fans delighted with their side's first-half display in this vital encounter. However, it was the turn of the visiting supporters to celebrate at the start of the second period when Denmark pulled a goal back through Gravgaard just four minutes after the re-start.

Daniel Jensen rattled the post with a 25-yard strike before, in the same attack, Gravgaard headed home a long throw-in into the box. That was just the setback Spain would have been desperate to avoid having ended the opening 45 minutes in relative comfort. Denmark pushed men forward in search of the equaliser after that, but despite peppering the Spain penalty area with crosses late on, Luis Aragones' men were able to claim the spoils.

Portugal 4-0 Belgium: Ronaldo on target
Winger Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal crushed Belgium 4-0 in their Euro 2008 qualifier in Group A on Saturday.

Two goals in the space of two minutes paved the way for Portugal's victory, with Nuno Gomes breaking the deadlock in the 52nd minute and Ronaldo getting his first of the night almost immediately afterwards. Ricardo Quaresma added the third in the 68th minute before Ronaldo completed a rout which kept the Euro 2004 hosts in a promising position in their group.

Poland are top on 13 points, having played a game more, after trouncing Azerbaijan 5-0. Finland are second on 11 points, with Portugal third on 10 and goal difference ahead of Serbia, who lost 2-1 to Kazakhstan on Saturday.

Czech Republic 1-2 Germany
Two Kevin Kuranyi headers gave Germany a 2-1 win over Czech Republic in a Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday to move three points clear at the top of Group D.

Germany have 13 points ahead of the Czechs after five matches with Ireland also on 10 points having played a game more following their 1-0 win over Wales earlier on Saturday. The Czechs had the first chance but the Germans gradually built up the pressure and in the 42nd minute Kuranyi shrugged off two defenders to head a corner past goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Czech striker Milan Baros had early chances in the second half but headed two Tomas Ujfalusi crosses over before Kuranyi put Germany 2-0 ahead in the 62nd from a Philipp Lahm centre. Baros scored a lucky goal in the 76th minute, deflecting in a shot by Jan Polak on the edge of the box, to give the home side hope but despite several chances they could not equalise.

Print