1998 World Cup winners France have qualified for their fourth successive World Cup finals after a controversial 2-1 victory (on aggregate) over the Republic of Ireland, who last qualified for the tournament in 2002. Thierry Henry appeared to stop the ball with his left hand before brushing it back into his path to cross for William Gallas to score.
Internazionale striker Samuel Eto’o scored in a 2-0 victory over Morocco to secure Cameroon’s place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Cameroon, who reached the quarter finals in 1990, are joined by Ghana – who are celebrating the second successive qualification for the finals – and Nigeria, who last qualified for the finals in 2002. Ivory Coast are the other African nation to qualify for the finals.
France take a 1-0 lead to Paris for next week’s playoff second leg after Nicolas Anelka scored in the 71st minute to give Les Blues a priceless victory in Dublin. France will be without Barcelona defender Eric Abidal and Lyon midfielder Jeremy Toulalan due to injury, however the French Football Federation announced that there won’t be any replacements called up.
France booked their place in next month’s playoffs with a 3-1 victory over Austria. The 1998 World Cup winners boasted a strike force mixed of the two Spanish giants – Real Madrid (Benzema) and Barcelona (Henry) – who both scored against the Austrians. France struggled in the World Cup 2006 qualifying rounds – until the old guard of Claude Makelele, Lillian Thuram and Zinedine Zidane helped push Les Blues to the final in Berlin.
Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal slaughtered Malta 4-0 to reach the playoffs of the World Cup qualifying stage. Sweden and Portugal went into the final game with a chance of reaching the playoff stage – with Denmark qualifying on Saturday having beaten their Scandinavian rivals 1-0. Sweden last failed to qualify for the finals in 1998.
Brazilian forward Ronaldinho saved AC Milan from another defeat and even more questions being thrown at under pressure manager Leonardo – who has had a torrid start to his managerial decision. The Brazilian came off the bench to strike six minutes from time to earn a 1-1 draw at 10 man Atalanta.
England, Spain and Paraguay booked their place at the 2010 World Cup Finals last night after victories in their qualifying groups. England thrashed Croatia, which many touted as a revenge mission – after England failed to qualify for Euro 2008, 5-1 with goals from Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and a tap in Wayne Rooney. Spain cruised past Estonia whilst Paraguay beat Argentina who have now dropped outside the qualifying spot.
Egypt could well be appearing at the World Cup for the first time since 1990 after a 3-0 win over Rwanda in capital city Cairo. Egypt had to win before an expectant crowd of approximately 35,000 fans and midfielders Hosny Abd Rabou and Mohamed Aboutrika, who scored a brace, scored the goals. Egypt have had a remarkable summer so far having troubled Brazil and claiming victory over world champions Italy last month at the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009.
Former German number one, Jens Lehmann, could well be recalled to the German national side for the 2010 World Cup finals. Lehmann last played for Germany in the 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final of the Euro 2008 final.
Internazionale boss Jose Mourinho has stated that whatever decision Brazilian forward Adriano makes regarding his career, he hopes that he is happy. Adriano played in the 2006 World Cup finals for Brazil – who were eventually eliminated by an inspired Zinedine Zidane France.
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