• International friendlies

Scots beat Cyprus, Balotelli stars for Italy

Kenny Miller opened the scoring for Scotland © PA Photos

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Kenny Miller and Jamie Mackie struck glorious goals to give Scotland a narrow 2-1 friendly victory over Cyprus in Larnaca.

Miller fired a stunning dipping volley midway through the first half after a shaky start from the visitors. Mackie brilliantly cut inside his marker before sliding home the second in the 56th minute but Dimitris Christofi soon pulled one back.

The goals were significantly more impressive than Scotland's overall performance, with Cyprus twice hitting the post before the visitors finished the first half strongly.

Scotland's victory - their seventh in 11 internationals - was never in doubt but the close nature of the final half-hour prevented manager Craig Levein experimenting with two up front until the final four minutes when he handed Jordan Rhodes a brief debut.

Mario Balotelli was the key man as Italy overcame Poland 2-0 in Wroclaw. The Manchester City striker blasted the opening goal in the 30th minute before he turned provider for Italy's second when he set up Giampaolo Pazzini after the break. Jakub Blaszczykowski missed the chance to pull a goal back for Poland from the penalty spot six minutes from the end as Italy's defence held firm to keep a deserved clean sheet.

Nicklas Bendtner was on the scoresheet as Denmark beat rivals Sweden 2-0 in Copenhagen. The Sunderland striker received Lars Jacobsen's lobbed pass to fire the Danes ahead after 35 minutes before Michael Krohn Dehli sealed the victory ten minutes from time.

Ukraine and Germany shared six goals in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Kiev's Olympic Stadium. Andrei Iarmolenko scored the first goal in the new arena in the 28th minute and Evgen Konoplyanka doubled their lead eight minutes later with a stunning solo effort.

Toni Kroos brought Germany back into the game two minutes later, but Sergei Nazarenko restored the home side's deserved two-goal advantage on the stroke of half time. Simon Rolfes and Thomas Muller were both on target in the second half as Germany only just salvaged a draw.

Netherlands' big-name strikers failed to break down a resolute Switzerland defence as their friendly in the Amsterdam Arena ended in a goalless draw. Robin van Persie has been in prolific scoring form for Arsenal lately but even his best efforts failed to breach the Switzerland defence and coach Bert van Marwijk's side had to settle for a draw

Laurent Blanc's substitutes did the job for France as a goal from Loic Remy gave them a 1-0 victory over the United States in Paris. The Marseille striker latched onto a pass from fellow substitute Marvin Martin to score the only goal of the game after 72 minutes.

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