Andros Townsend scored on his debut as England beat Montenegro 4-1 at Wembley to move a step closer to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.
Wayne Rooney opened the scoring with his sixth goal in Group H on his return to the side and an own goal from Branko Boskovic doubled England’s lead.
But it was Townsend who stole the show as the Tottenham winger added a third goal after Dejan Damjanovic had pulled a goal back before Daniel Sturridge scored a late penalty to leave England needing a win against Poland on Tuesday to secure their place at the showpiece in Brazil next year.
Defeat for Montenegro looks certain to have cost them a place at the World Cup, as second-placed Ukraine are three points better off than them with a far superior goal difference.
Spain 1-0 Belarus
Swansea City forward Michu will make his international debut after being included in Vicente del Bosque’s starting line-up for Spain’s World Cup qualifier against Belarus, while Iker Casillas has been dropped to the bench.
Michu hadn’t even been included in Del Bosque’s original 23-man squad, but has impressed sufficiently in training to be selected ahead of Manchester City’s Alvaro Negredo in the lone striker’s role.
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Meanwhile Victor Valdes’ stellar early season form for Barcelona has finally seen him displace Casillas in goal.
The Real Madrid keeper captained Spain to the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, as well as their sole World Cup triumph in 2010.
However, he has only played 105 minutes of competitive action with Madrid this season after being benched by Carlo Ancelotti in favour of Diego Lopez.
Andres Iniesta is also omitted from the starting line-up due to a slight muscular injury with his Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas all starting in midfield.
The world champions need just four points from their two remaining qualifiers to be assured of a place in next year’s finals in Brazil.
Netherlands 8-1 Hungary
RVP. Credit: John Walton/EMPICS Sport
Robin van Persie netted a hat-trick to become Netherlands’ all-time record goalscorer and inspire them to an 8-1 victory over Hungary.
The 30-year-old struck twice in the first half to equal Patrick Kluivert’s tally of 40 goals, and he broke the record eight minutes after the break with a close-range finish.
The Manchester United striker opened the scoring early with a well-placed header before Kevin Strootman doubled the Dutch’s lead with a looping header of his own.
Jeremain Lens and Van Persie’s second then put the hosts in complete control at the break and while Hungary pulled a goal back through a Balazs Dzsudzsak penalty, Van Persie soon netted his 41st international goal to take his place in the record books.
Szilard Devecseri scored an own goal with 25 minutes left before a free-kick double from Rafael van der Vaart and Arjen Robben sealed Netherlands’ emphatic win.
Alberto Aquilani’s last-gasp strike denied Denmark a crucial victory in Copenhagen on Friday as Italy earned a 2-2 draw.
The Fiorentina playmaker struck in injury-time to extend the visitors’ unbeaten run in FIFA World Cup qualifiers to 26 matches, depriving Morten Olsen’s side of the three points that would have moved them clear in second spot.
As it is, the Danes now face a four-way scrap for a play-off place in Group B after failing to fully capitalise on Bulgaria’s shock defeat to Armenia, despite Nicklas Bendtner’s double having cancelled out Daniel Pablo Osvaldo’s opener.
The Arsenal striker netted in either half and looked to have wrapped up the win for Denmark, but Aquilani provided late drama to stun the home crowd. Olsen’s men face rock-bottom Malta in their final game but will need to rely on results elsewhere to keep their hopes of reaching Brazil alive.
Interational wrap: Wins for England and Spain, RVP breaks Kluivert's record
England 4-1 Montenegro
Andros Townsend scored on his debut as England beat Montenegro 4-1 at Wembley to move a step closer to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.
Wayne Rooney opened the scoring with his sixth goal in Group H on his return to the side and an own goal from Branko Boskovic doubled England’s lead.
But it was Townsend who stole the show as the Tottenham winger added a third goal after Dejan Damjanovic had pulled a goal back before Daniel Sturridge scored a late penalty to leave England needing a win against Poland on Tuesday to secure their place at the showpiece in Brazil next year.
Defeat for Montenegro looks certain to have cost them a place at the World Cup, as second-placed Ukraine are three points better off than them with a far superior goal difference.
Spain 1-0 Belarus
Swansea City forward Michu will make his international debut after being included in Vicente del Bosque’s starting line-up for Spain’s World Cup qualifier against Belarus, while Iker Casillas has been dropped to the bench.
Michu hadn’t even been included in Del Bosque’s original 23-man squad, but has impressed sufficiently in training to be selected ahead of Manchester City’s Alvaro Negredo in the lone striker’s role.
Meanwhile Victor Valdes’ stellar early season form for Barcelona has finally seen him displace Casillas in goal.
The Real Madrid keeper captained Spain to the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, as well as their sole World Cup triumph in 2010.
However, he has only played 105 minutes of competitive action with Madrid this season after being benched by Carlo Ancelotti in favour of Diego Lopez.
Andres Iniesta is also omitted from the starting line-up due to a slight muscular injury with his Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas all starting in midfield.
The world champions need just four points from their two remaining qualifiers to be assured of a place in next year’s finals in Brazil.
Netherlands 8-1 Hungary
RVP. Credit: John Walton/EMPICS Sport
Robin van Persie netted a hat-trick to become Netherlands’ all-time record goalscorer and inspire them to an 8-1 victory over Hungary.
The 30-year-old struck twice in the first half to equal Patrick Kluivert’s tally of 40 goals, and he broke the record eight minutes after the break with a close-range finish.
The Manchester United striker opened the scoring early with a well-placed header before Kevin Strootman doubled the Dutch’s lead with a looping header of his own.
Jeremain Lens and Van Persie’s second then put the hosts in complete control at the break and while Hungary pulled a goal back through a Balazs Dzsudzsak penalty, Van Persie soon netted his 41st international goal to take his place in the record books.
Szilard Devecseri scored an own goal with 25 minutes left before a free-kick double from Rafael van der Vaart and Arjen Robben sealed Netherlands’ emphatic win.
YouTube credit: rom7oooHD3
Denmark 2-2 Italy
Alberto Aquilani’s last-gasp strike denied Denmark a crucial victory in Copenhagen on Friday as Italy earned a 2-2 draw.
The Fiorentina playmaker struck in injury-time to extend the visitors’ unbeaten run in FIFA World Cup qualifiers to 26 matches, depriving Morten Olsen’s side of the three points that would have moved them clear in second spot.
As it is, the Danes now face a four-way scrap for a play-off place in Group B after failing to fully capitalise on Bulgaria’s shock defeat to Armenia, despite Nicklas Bendtner’s double having cancelled out Daniel Pablo Osvaldo’s opener.
The Arsenal striker netted in either half and looked to have wrapped up the win for Denmark, but Aquilani provided late drama to stun the home crowd. Olsen’s men face rock-bottom Malta in their final game but will need to rely on results elsewhere to keep their hopes of reaching Brazil alive.
Ireland no match for dominant Germans on a busy night for Forde
How the Ireland players rated against Germany tonight
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