• Euro 2012 round-up

Rooney sees red as England seal qualification

ESPN staff
October 7, 2011
Wayne Rooney was sent off for kicking out at Miodrag Dzudovic © Getty Images
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Ten-man England booked their place at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine with a nervy 2-2 draw against Montenegro in Podgorica.

England raced into a two-goal lead in the first half through Ashley Young and Darren Bent, only for Elsad Zverotic to crank up the heat by pulling one back. Wayne Rooney was sent off with 15 minutes remaining for kicking out petulantly following a tussle, then Andrija Delibasic equalised in the 90th minute, guaranteeing Montenegro a play-off place in Group G.

Three Lions manager Fabio Capello handed Manchester United youngster Phil Jones a debut at right-back, while Bent was preferred to Bobby Zamora, who was widely tipped to start, as Rooney's striking partner.

Following a lively opening, England took the lead on ten minutes when Theo Walcott surged towards the byline before crossing to the far post, where Young stooped to nod in, continuing his impressive start to the season.

England failed to maintain their frenetic early tempo after moving ahead, allowing Montenegro to fashion a couple of half-chances - but the visitors found themselves two-up on 30 minutes: Rooney releasing Young, who passed across the six-yard line for Bent to tap in.

Capello's side appeared to be cruising as half-time approached, controlling possession against subdued opponents, until Zverotic halved the deficit with seconds to go before the break, his half-volley from inside the area deflecting off Gary Cahill and fizzing past Joe Hart.

Elsad Zverotic pulled one goal back for Montenegro © Getty Images
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Energised by that strike, Montenegro were in the ascendancy for the opening 15 minutes of the second period as fluency deserted a jittery England side. But despite pinning the Three Lions back, the hosts failed to conjure any heart-stopping moments for Capello.

The Italian was given cause for real concern when Rooney, who saw his father and uncle arrested earlier this week following allegations of a betting scam, was shown a straight red card on 75 minutes for lashing out at Miodrag Dzudovic after a battle for possession. He will now miss at least one match at Euro 2012.

Substitute Stewart Downing should have made the game safe with eight minutes remaining and, after a fine save from Hart appeared to have preserved England's lead, Delibasic's far-post header pulled the scores level - but Capello's men held on for the draw they needed.

Also in England's group, Wales' resurgence under Gary Speed continued as goals from Aaron Ramsey, who converted a penalty, and Gareth Bale earned them a 2-0 win over Switzerland.

Northern Ireland's slim hopes of qualification were crushed by a 2-1 home defeat to Estonia, Steven Davis' opener overturned by a brace from Konstantin Vassiljev, while elsewhere in Group C Serbia drew 1-1 with Italy.

Republic of Ireland require just a point against Armenia in Dublin next week to seal a play-off place after beating Andorra 2-0 through goals from Kevin Doyle and Aiden McGeady. Russia, who sank Slovakia 1-0, will win Group B if they defeat Andorra in Moscow in their final fixture.

In Group I, Spain gave Scotland hope of sealing a play-off place by beating Czech Republic 2-0.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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