There was disappointment for Ireland, North and South, in tonight’s World Cup qualifiers.
The Republic of Ireland, who included ex Derry City players James McClean and David Forde, have been left with a mountain climb to qualify for next year’s finals in Brazil after losing 1-2 to Sweden.
Giovanni Trapattoni’s side must win their last two qualifying games, away to Kazakhstan and runaway group leaders, Germany, to have any hope of clinching a second-place runners-up spot.
The defeat is all the more disappointing given the Irish led the visitors through record goalscorer Robbie Keane in the 21st minute. However, the Swedes were level 12 minutes later when Elmander found the net before Svensson clinched all three points for the visitors in the 57th minute.
It was the Cristiano Ronaldo show at Windsor Park where Michael O’Neill’s side, which included former Derry City winger Niall McGinn, went down 2-4 with the Real Madrid superstar bagging a hat-trick.
Portugal went ahead through Alves in the 21st minute. However, the home crowd began to think a shock was on the cards when McAuley (36 mins) and Ward (52 mins) had them believing a shock was on the cards, especially as the game was being played on “St David’s Day,” seven years to the day after a David Healy hat-trick shocked the footballing world in a 3-2 defeat against England in a European Championship tie.
However, Ronald showed his class with goals in the 68th, 77th and 83rd minute to clinch all three points.
The game was a heated affair with three players sent off – Portugal’s Postiga (43 mins) and the home side’s Brunt (61 mins) and Kyle Lafferty (80 mins).
Elsewhere, Wales went down 1-2 in Macedonia, Scotland were defeated 0-2 by Belgium while England rolled over Moldova in a 4-0 at Wembley with the goals coming from Manchester United’s Wellbeck (2), Southampton’s Lambert and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard.
Defending champions Spain recorded a 2-0 away to Finland, Manchester United’s Van Persie saved a point for Holland deep into injury time in a 2-2 draw with Estonia, France recorded a scoreless draw away to Georgia,Germany coasted past Austria 3-0 while Italy had a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Bulgaria.
However, the performance of the night came from Ukraine who hit nine past minnows San Marino with eight different players getting on the scoresheet.
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