A quick summary of action around the UEFA group phase on SAT 05 SEP 2009.
» Scotland 02-00 Macedonia FYR: Goals from Scott BROWN and James MCFADDEN gave Scotland the advantage heading into Group 9’s last matchday. They can secure second place with a draw against already qualified Netherlands on WED 09 SEP 2009.
» Denmark 01-01 Portugal: Seven points adrift in Group 1, Portugal needed to attack early and often in Copenhagen. Though Nicklas BENDTNER scored against the run of play late in the first half, LIEDSON equalised for his new country in the 86th minute.
» Hungary 01-02 Sweden: Sweden also did their part to make Group 1 much more interesting; at the death, Zlatan IBRAHIMOVIĆ blocked Gábor BABOS’s clearance into the goal for an improbable win. Denmark are still four points clear, but Hungary are now just one point ahead of Sweden and three ahead of Portugal for second place.
» Georgia 00-02 Italy: But the most unlikely goals of the day were both scored by Georgia’s Kakha KALADZE – in his own net. Italy remain one point ahead of Ireland Rep in Group 8 with a match in hand.
» Switzerland 02-00 Greece: Greece’s Loukas VINTRA saw his second yellow as the first half expired, but the Swiss could not capitalise until the last six minutes of the second half. They now pull ahead of Greece for the lead in Group 2.
» Slovakia 02-02 Czech Rep: Marek HAMŠÍK put Slovakia ahead 2-1 on a second half penalty but then received a second yellow card. Milan BAROŠ scored on a header to level the match again, leaving Slovakia still two points clear of Northern Ireland in Group 3 with a match in hand.
» Spain 05-00 Belgium: Spain ratcheted their goal difference to +16 as David SILVA and David VILLA each scored twice. They are assured of at least a playoff place and need four more points to win qualification from Group 5.
» Advanced this matchday: Spain
× Eliminated this matchday: Armenia, Cyprus, Estonia, Faroe Is, Moldova, Montenegro