Euro 2012 qualifying review

It could have been even better had David Healy taken advantage of a great chance in the first half. However, Nigel Worthington's side had to survive a late onslaught from the Azzurri, with Giampaolo Pazzini missing a great chance.

Republic of Ireland's 100% record in Euro 2012 qualifying came to an end with a 3-2 defeat against Russia, but not before Giovanni Trapattoni's side had mounted a stirring comeback in a game in which they had looked dead and buried.

Robbie Keane hit the bar early on at the Aviva Stadium but for the next hour Russia dominated and deservedly went three up through Alexander Kerzhakov, Alan Dzagoev and Roman Shirokov.

A Keane penalty in the 72nd minute gave the hosts a lifeline and, when Shane Long added a second six minutes later, it seemed the Republic could get something from the game, but Russia held on to join their opponents on six points in Group B.

Nani grabbed two goals in the space of three minutes to set Portugal on course to a 3-1 victory over Denmark in coach Paulo Bento's first game in charge.

Although Ricardo Carvalho's own goal 11 minutes from time gave Denmark a lifeline, Cristiano Ronaldo made sure of Portugal's first win in qualifying with five minutes left.

A brace from Miroslav Klose helped Germany to their third straight Euro 2012 qualifying victory with a 3-0 triumph over Turkey at Berlin's Olympiastadion.

Real Madrid forward Mesut Ozil scored for Joachim Low's side in the 79th minute after Klose had netted his fourth goal so far in the qualifying campaign in the 42nd minute. Klose then wrapped up the victory third three minutes from time.

Reigning world and European champions Spain moved to the top of the group after easing past Lithuania with a 3-1 win thanks to three second-half headed goals.

Fernando Llorente, making the most of a rare start in place of the injured Fernando Torres, netted a brace while David Silva added a third late on after Lithuania had earlier struck a surprise equaliser through Darvydas Sernas.

Mirko Vucinic's goal midway through the second half against Switzerland secured Montenegro a third consecutive 1-0 win and sent Zlatko Kranjcar's side three points clear at the top of England's qualifying group.

Wales' Euro 2012 qualification hopes suffered a crushing blow at Cardiff City Stadium after Ivelin Popov's second half strike gave Bulgaria a 1-0 victory.

Wales, under the control of caretaker manager Brian Flynn, created several chances and should have taken an early lead through Chris Gunter. They were punished just three minutes into the second period when an unmarked Popov pounced to leave Wales floundering in Group G.

Vladimir Petrovic's tenure as Serbia coach got off to the worst possible start as they let slip a one goal lead to suffer a shock 3-1 defeat to Estonia in Belgrade.

Birmingham striker Nikola Zigic struck for Serbia on the hour, but a fine goal from Middlesbrough forward Tarmo Kink drew the Baltic nation level and Konstantin Vassiljev put them in front in the 73rd minute. The result was sealed by an Aleksandar Lukovic own goal in injury time.

Klaas Jan Huntelaar continued his superb scoring form in qualifying as Netherlands beat Moldova 1-0 to maintain their 100% start. The 27-year-old, currently rebuilding his career with German side Schalke after disappointing spells with Real Madrid and AC Milan, put away Rafael van der Vaart's assist in the 37th minute for his sixth goal in three matches.

Vassilis Torosidis scored the only goal as Greece got the first win of their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign when they beat Latvia 1-0 at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium in Athens in a game that the home side dominated.

Genk striker Marvin Ogunjimi scored both goals as Belgium won 2-0 against ten-man Kazakhstan in Astana. Meanwhile, Werder Bremen striker Marko Arnautovic scored twice as Austria eased past Azerbaijan with a 3-0 win in Vienna.

Luxembourg picked up a rare point as they frustrated ten-man Belarus in a goalless draw and Georgia had to relay on a injury-time strike from David Siradze to spared their blushes with a 1-0 win against Malta in Tbilisi.

Source: espnsoccernet.com