 |
|
Goalie Robert Enke and Serdar Tasci of Germany and Jonatan Johansson of Finland reach for the ball during a World Cup qualifying match in Helsinki on Wednesday. Germany fought back for a 3-3 tie. |
Denmark scored two goals in the final minutes to come back and beat Portugal 3-2, Germany salvaged a 3-3 draw at Finland and both England and France produced victories to relieve the pressure on their coaches on Wednesday in World Cup qualifying.
Daniel Jensen headed in the winning goal in injury time to cap a late comeback for the Danes, who trailed 2-1 in the 86th minute. Finland led three times against Germany, but the three-time World Cup champion got three goals from Miroslav Klose to secure the draw.
England teenager Theo Walcott also scored three goals in a 4-1 win over Croatia. France's humiliating loss at Austria on Saturday put Raymond Domenech's future under scrutiny, but the World Cup runner-up overcame Serbia 2-1.
World Cup champion Italy beat Georgia 2-0 and European champion Spain defeated Armenia 4-0.
Nani gave Portugal the lead in the 42nd in Lisbon, but Nicklas Bendtner equalized for Denmark in the 84th. Deco restored the host team's lead two minutes later, but Christopher Poulsen scored in the 90th and Jensen added the other to complete the upset.
Also in Group 1, Albania beat Malta 3-0 and Sweden defeated Hungary 2-1.
In Helsinki, Klose equalized three times after goals from Jonatan Johansson, Petri Vayrynen and Daniel Sjolund. Klose took advantage of some slack marking in the 38th, and then added another in the 45th and the last in the 83rd.
"All the time I have confidence for Klose," Germany coach Joachim Loew said. "His qualities are known for us all, and I had the feeling that he was to be better."
Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein drew 0-0.
Wales squandered a chance to take the lead when Gareth Bale missed a penalty in the 16th. Roman Pavlyuchenko then converted from the spot for Russia in the 22nd.
Italy maintained its 100 percent record in Group 8 when Daniele De Rossi scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Georgia.
Shay Given made several saves to give Ireland a 0-0 draw at Montenegro to remain second behind Italy.
England avenged its two losses to Croatia in Euro 2008 with a win in Zagreb.
Walcott scored his first goal in the 26th with a low shot from a tight angle. Croatia defender Robert Kovac was sent off in the 54th for an aerial challenge on Joe Cole, which saw the Chelsea midfielder taken off on a stretcher with blood pouring from his head.
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily September 12, 2008)