• Euro 2012 qualifiers

Laboured England edge nearer Euro 2012 qualification

September 6, 2011
Stewart Downing set up Ashley Young as England edged past Wales © PA Photos
Enlarge

Euro 2012 qualifiers gallery

England moved to within touching distance of securing top spot in Group G and qualification for the Euro 2012 Championships after Ashley Young's sweetly-taken goal earned Fabio Capello's side a narrow 1-0 victory over Wales at Wembley.

After a lacklustre first 30 minutes, England came to life when Stewart Downing raced to the by-line before squaring for Young to slam home a low shot past Wayne Hennessey from 10 yards.

Wayne Rooney should have doubled England's advantage when Young, fresh from scoring his third international goal - his first two were from the substitutes bench - played into his Manchester United team-mate but the striker, standing inside the six-yard box, could not connect with Young's pinpoint cross.

Frank Lampard, recalled to the starting XI at the expense of Scott Parker, should have extended the home side's lead on the hour mark. After charging into the penalty area, the impressive Downing teed up the Chelsea man but he failed to get the ball out of his feet and blazed over.

Gary Cahill almost made Hennessey pay for flapping at a free-kick but the defender could not convert with the loose ball. As England flirted with a second goal, Wales came more into the game and they should have drawn level with a quarter of an hour to go. Darcy Blake's nod back from a cross fell to Robert Earnshaw at the back post but the substitute somehow missed the open goal, skying over from 6 yards.

Wales were left to rue that miss as England held on to claim a first victory at Wembley in a year and move six points clear of Montenegro at the top of Group G.

Steven Naismith scored in the 50th minute to spare Scotland's blushes against Lithuania at Hampden Park. The 1-0 win moves the Scots to within two points of the second-placed Czech Republic in Group I.

In Group C Estonia are still in with a shout after ending Northern Ireland's hopes with an impressive 4-1 win in Tallinn. Elsewhere, Group B remains up for grabs after the Republic of Ireland held on for a goalless draw in Moscow which leaves the Russians two points clear at the top with two games left to play.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices