Source: Eurosport
World Cup champions Italy eye finals, Portugal cling on
PARIS (AFP) - Two bizarre own goals allowed defending champions Italy to edge closer to the World Cup finals on Saturday, but Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal were left clinging for survival.[LNB]Italy saw off Georgia 2-0 in Tbilisi to stay a point ahead of the Republic of Ireland in Group Eight thanks to a pair of own-goals from AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze. The Irish defeated Cyprus 2-1 in Nicosia thanks to a late strike from Robbie Keane.[LNB]Italy coach Marcello Lippi claimed his team deserved their luck.[LNB]"Georgia sparkled at the beginning but we controlled them very well. Then in the second half we deserved the luck we had with the goals," he said.[LNB]"Tonight there were two (own goals) because they were caused by attacking play. It was quite lucky but that happens when you often attack your opponents' goal."[LNB]Portugal, who were semi-finalists in 2006, still face shock elimination despite Brazilian-born striker Leidson marking his debut with a headed equaliser three minutes from time against Denmark in Copenhagen.[LNB]Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner had volleyed Group One leaders Denmark ahead in the first half.[LNB]The result may still not be enough to ensure Portugal, coached by former Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz, make the 2010 finals in South Africa.[LNB]They have slumped to fourth place, seven points behind Denmark, three behind Hungary and two back from Sweden who won 2-1 against the Hungarians in Budapest.[LNB]All four have three games left to play.[LNB]Sweden were indebted to a winner by Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in injury-time for their 2-1 win in Hungary.[LNB]Russia and Scotland kept their World Cup hopes on track.[LNB]Russia edged minnows Liechtenstein 3-0 in St Petersburg in Group Four to move just a point behind leaders Germany, who they meet in Moscow on October 10.[LNB]CSKA Moscow defender Vasily Berezutsky and Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, with two penalties, made sure of the three points for Guus Hiddink's team.[LNB]Veteran striker Jari Litmanen came off the bench to grab a late winner to give Finland a 2-1 win in Azerbaijan to keep up his team's hopes of grabbing second spot in the group.[LNB]In Glasgow, Scotland grabbed a 2-0 win over Macedonia courtesy of Scott Brown's first international goal and a superb solo effort from James McFadden.[LNB]Macedonia had looked the better team in the first-half but a magnificent second-half showing sealed the three points for Scotland, who now need to beat the Netherlands on Wednesday to secure second place in Group Nine.[LNB]The Dutch have already qualified for the finals with a perfect 21 points from seven matches, leaving their rivals to scramble over the runners-up spot and a possible place in the play-offs.[LNB]"We always had the belief we could win the match. The players showed the commitment, passion and belief that was needed," said Scotland boss George Burley.[LNB]"We've come off the park with a lot of smiling faces. It was a good feeling and we want that feeling again on Wednesday night."[LNB]In Group Five, Bosnia defeated Armenia 2-0 in Yerevan to stay second behind European champions Spain who were facing Belgium later Saturday. Bosnia now have 15 points from seven matches while Spain have a perfect 18 points from six.[LNB]Turkey, World Cup semi-finalists in 2002, stay third after a 4-2 home win over Estonia.[LNB]In Kiev, Ukraine needed three penalties to see off little Andorra 5-0 to stay in contention for the runners-up spot in Group Six where England are virtually assured of making the finals having won all of their seven matches.[LNB]Croatia stay second thanks to a 1-0 home win over Belarus.[LNB]The Croatians go to England on Wednesday where Fabio Capello's home side can secure qualification with victory.[LNB]Switzerland went top of Group Two with a 2-0 home win over Greece.[LNB]Slovakia and the Czech Republic drew 2-2 in Bratislava top leave the home side on top of Group Three.[LNB]Former Liverpool striker Milan Baros scored six minutes from time to keep the Czechs' slender hopes of a play-off place alive.[LNB]France, the 1998 world champions and runners-up in 2006, welcome Romania to Paris.[LNB]The French are second in Group Seven, five points behind Serbia but with a game in hand ahead of a testing trip to Belgrade on Wednesday.[LNB]Only Europe's nine group winners are assured of places in the finals; the eight best runners-up have to play-off.
