McFadden strikes down France
McFadden's strike helped Scotland move closer to qualification
Also In The News
|
Cooking Vinyl, September 17th. |  |
Wednesday, 12, Sep 2007 11:38
Scotland pulled off a shock 1-0 victory over France at the Parc des Princes to go top of their Euro 2008 qualifying group.
James McFadden was the hero, smashing the ball past Mikael Landreau from 30 yards, 25 minutes from time.
France dominated the game but could not find a way past Craig Gordon who was in inspired form in the Scotland goal.
The home side created some half-chances in the first half but none seriously threatened the Scotland goal, however in the second period France increased their intensity.
Florent Malouda forced a save from Gordon while Frank Ribery saw a shot deflected wide.
The winger then had a close-range shot parried by Gordon before the Sunderland goalkeeper tipped the ball over the bar from Nicolas Anelka's drive.
After this period of extended pressure McFadden then struck the decisive blow with one of Scotland's few attacks on goal.
The ball fell to the Everton striker in space and he had no hesitation in unleashing a fearsome drive which Landreau could not stop from hitting the back of the net.
France pushed for an equaliser but the Scottish defence held firm to deny them.
Earlier Craig Bellamy scored twice to help Wales beat Slovakia 5-2 in Trnava. Marek Mintal put the home side ahead early but John Toshack's men responded with three goals before half-time.
Freddy Eastwood scored the equaliser before Bellamy grabbed his brace. Mintal reduced Slovakia's arrears but Jan Durica's own goal restored Wales' advantage; Simon Davies added the fifth in the 90th minute.
Elsewhere Northern Ireland lost 2-1 to Iceland in Reykjavik as their hopes of qualification dipped.
Keith Gillespie scored an own goal one minute from time after David Healy had levelled the match following Armann Smari Bjornnson's early opener for Iceland.