England 3 - 0 Estonia

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Rooney Strikes Back!


Shaun Wright-Phillips got England off to a fine start, after only 11 minutes, when he spotted a gap between the Estonian keeper's legs. Of course it should have been saved, but this was a day on which Lady Luck was also playing for England!


Wayne Rooney bagged the second goal, when his opportunistic shot was deflected into the net, after 32 minutes. To cap it all, Estonian Rahn made it three for the home side, when he headed in an own goal from about 20 yards out. It would have been a wonderful header, if only it had been at the other end!


The home side were hot favourites to win, but with three goals coming in the first half, you might have reasonably expected them to surge further ahead after the interval, against sub standard opposition. Estonia deserve some credit for making more of a game of it, in the second half, but although they held England to their three-goal advantage, they only had a couple of shots on target. Paul Robinson was not deeply troubled, but England wasted chances to go further ahead.


Man of the match was Gareth Barry, and there was little doubt that he earned it. However, Rooney might have stolen the honours, if his chip in the first half had not gone just over the bar, with the Estonian keeper off his line. Rooney's work rate was consistent, and he had a good game in which he scored his first international goal for three years. Ashley Cole was stretchered off, just after the interval, after he fell awkwardly, and it is to be hoped his injury is not as serious as it first appeared.


Lampard came on for Michael Owen after about 70 minutes. The Newcastle striker, who has been plagued with injuries, did well to be on the field considering that he had an operation about a couple of weeks ago. All eyes were on him, as he was considered to be amongst the most likely to score. However, it was not to be, although he threatened repeatedly and was judged to be narrowly offside on three occasions. It was perhaps a good job he didn't score, because if a goal had been disallowed, it could have been disputed, as the offside decisions seemed harsh.


There is no doubt that England were much the superior side and they won, as expected, but the second half was a scrappy affair with little entertainment value.


Scotland 3 - 1 Ukraine


Scotland The Brave


Scotland beat stronger opposition in this thriller at Hampden Park.


The Scottish fans were roaring their approval after only three minutes, when Kenny Miller accurately headed home, from McFadden's free kick.


That was just the start the home side wanted, because seven minutes later they were at it again, with McFadden very much involved. He crossed the ball to Lee McCulloch, who thumped it into the corner of the net, from about 15 yards.


It was Chelsea's controversial striker, Shevchenko, who scored before half time, to put his side back in the game. So it was all to play for in the second half.


Ukraine made some good moves, with Voronin testing Gordon on a couple of occasions, in a period during which his side had most of the possession. But it was the magnificent McFadden who clinched it in the 68th minute, when he received the ball from Hutton, and confidently slid it home.


It was game set and match to Scotland, ending Ukraine's Euro 2008 aspirations.


Tags:
England Vs Estonia
soccer and football
Scotland Vs Ukraine