Former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu scored both goals for Romania against Andorra to keep alive hopes of World Cup qualification in Group1.
Romania are now in third place after the win over the minnows thanks to goals in the 29th and 40th from Mutu, returning to international football for the first time after he was sacked last year by Chelsea after testing positive for recreational drugs.
Finland won 3-0 away to Macedonia with goals from Paulus Roiha and a brace by Aleksei Jeremenko Junior, to give them fourth spot in the group behind Romania trailing leaders Holland and Czech Republic.
Kazakhstan remain bottom of group Group 2 as they went down to their eight defeat in a row, losing 2-1 to Georgia. Georgi Demetradze grabbed a brace after Daniyar Kenzhekhanov had given Kazakhstan the lead.
Portugal remain top of Group 3 after Slovakia missed a chance to draw level with the leaders as they could only manage a 0-0 draw at Liechtenstein. Slovakia are now two points behind Luis Felipe Scolari’s side and the Euro 2004 finalists have a gam in hand.
Russia could only draw 1-1 in Latvia to remain three points behind second placed Slovakia. Latvia took the lead after six minutes through Vitaly Astafjevs with Russia drawing level thanks to a Andre Arshavin strike.
Cyprus beat fellow Group 4 strugglers Faroe Islands 3-0 as Michalis Konstantinou grabbed a brace and a Krassas Asimakis strike wrapped up the win.
Mexico remain top after a 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in their final round Concacaf group. New Bolton signing Jared Borgetti became Mexico’s all-time leading scorer after his 36th international goal on 62 minutes with Francisco Fonseca wrapping up the win.
USA won 1-0 thanks to an early strike from Fulham striker Brian McBride against Trinidad & Tobago as both sides had a player sent off.
In Africa, Sudan beat Benin 1-0 in Group 3. The two sides are bottom in the group.
Tunisia went top of Group 5 after beating Kenya 1-0. The African champions move one point clear of neighbors Morocco after Haykel Guemamdia’s winner.
In the AsianWorld Cup qualifying section, Uzbekistan came back from 2-0 down to record a 3-2 victory over Kuwait. Kuwait took the lead after goals from Bader Al Mutwa and Bashar Abdul but a Server Djerparov penalty and Maxim Shatskikh strike brought the Uzbeks level. Anvarjon Soliev’s winner gives Uzbekistan third place and a play-off spot.
International friendlies
England suffered another defeat in an international friendly last night after they produced a dismal second half performance as Denmark inflicted a humiliating 4-1 defeat, which Sven Goran Eriksson described as a disaster.
England had been in control in Copenhagen in the first half but changes to the defence at the break saw the collapse of the visitors. The shambolic defending of Glenn Johnson and Jamie Carragher contributed to the visitors racing to a 3-0 lead. The hosts went ahead when the abysmal substitute goalkeeper, David James, rushed out and missed the ball leaving Dennis Rommedahl a simple tap-in.
Denmark doubled their lead as Claus Jensen crossed for Rommedahl to nod the ball for Tomasson to grab his second from close range. Further strikes from Michael Gravgaard Soren Larsen completed the rout with Wayne Rooney grabbing a consolation in between.
Eriksson expressed his anger at England’s second half performance.
“I’m disappointed of course, and sorry and angry about the second half because it was a disaster,” he said.
Chelsea’s Arjen Robben scored twice for Holland as they drew 2-2 with World Cup hosts Germany in Amsterdam.
Robben grabbed his first after just three minutes and then doubled his tally just before the break. Bayern Munich’s influential midfielder Michael Ballack pulled a goal back before Gerald Asamoah equalised in the 81st minute to silence the home crowd.
Zinedine Zidane marked his return to international football with a goal as France beat Ivory Coast 3-0.
Zidane played in his first game since coming out of retirement along with Lilian Thuram and Claude Makelele. Les Bleus impressed with William Gallas opening the scoring and Zidane making it 2-0. Thierry Henry grabbed his 29th international goal to seal a commanding victory.
Republic of Ireland lost for the first time at Landsdowne Road under manager Brain Kerr after a 2-1 defeat to Italy. Milan’s Andrea Pirlo and Alberto Gilardino gave the Azzuri a 2-0 lead before Andy Reid’s strike before the break.
Clinton Morrison was denied a goal in injury time after the officials spotted a handball in injury time.
Argentina beat Hungary 2-1 at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium despite Lionel Messi’s dismissal on his debut for the South American side.
Argentina went ahead inside 17 minutes through Maxi Rodriguez before Panathaniakos loan-signing Sandor Torghelle equalised before half-hour. Manchester United full back Gabriel Heinze gave Jose Pekerman’s side the win on 62 minutes, before Barcelona star Messi was sent off for lashing out three minutes later.
World champions Brazil struggled to overwhelm Croatia, managing just a 1-1 draw. The Copa America and Confederations Cup winners went behind after 32 minutes with Niko Kranjcar’s strike. Ricardinho levelled for Carlos Alberto Parreira’s side ten minutes later.
