Slovakia stun Spain with late Stoch winner

Spain’s eight year unbeaten qualifying run was ended in dramatic style on Thursday night as they fell two-one to Jan Kozak’s Slovakia side in Bratislava.

The home side opened the scoring after seventeen minutes thanks to a Juraj Kucka goal, one that was gifted to him by the alarmingly wilting Spain skipper Iker Casillas.

A bright spark in La Liga in the last 18 months has been the form of Valencia’s Paco Alcacer, he should have gone to the World Cup and with seven minutes remaining he proved why, slotting an equaliser beyond Matus Kozacik looking to have spared Iberian blushes.

In the end though, that was not the case. With just three minutes left Miroslav Stoch, the former Chelsea and Rangers winger capitalised on yet more Spanish defensive frailties to seal a famous win for the nation that competed in their first international against Germany in 1939.

Elsewhere in Qualification Group C, Ukraine coasted to their first points of the campaign with a two-nil win over Belarus in Minsk. The goals for the troubled nation coming by way of a fortuitous own goal and a second half Serhiy Sydorchuk finish.

There was also a win for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, a stoppage time effort from Beshart Abdurahimi snatching a second point of the qualification group away from a rapidly improving Luxembourg side.

In Group E, Lithuania are the surprise front runners alongside England, after the side notched a second victory on the bounce, stumbling to a one nil victory over Estonia in Vilnius. The effort that notched all three points for the hosts came 17 minutes from time through FC Sevastopol midfielder Saulius Mikoliunas.

The Three Lions meanwhile cantered to a five-nil win over part timers San Marino at Wembley Stadium. Phil Jagielka and Wayne Rooney found the net before half time with Danny Welbeck and Andros Townsend scoring after the break. England captain Rooney edged ever closer to Bobby Charlton’s goalscoring record with his second of the game 12 minutes from time.

The shock of the night in Group E arrived in the form of a 79th minute Milijove Novakovic penalty which sealed an unexpected triumph for Slovenia over a much fancied Swiss side at Stadion Ljudski in Maribor. It leaves the visitors pointless and six points behind England with just two games gone.

Group G saw the group favourites square off at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, with Fabio Capello’s Russia holding Sweden to a one-one stalemate. The away side actually took the lead ten minutes in through Dynamo Moskva sharpshooter Aleksandr Kokorin. That goal was cancelled out four minutes after the break though as Stade Rennais striker Ola Toivonen turned home a Jimmy Durmaz cross from close range.

Early group leaders Montenegro were knocked off their perch as they were held to a shock goalless draw against tiny Liechtenstein in what was the home sides 100th international. Despite having 28 shots on goal, Montenegro could not find a route past first Peter Jehle and then his replacement Cengiz Bicer to send the majority of the Vaduz crowd home happy.

The final game of the evening witnessed three goals and a sending off as Austria came out on top in Chisinau against Moldova. The first half was a tale of two penalties as first David Alaba of Austria and then Alexandru Dedov of Moldova slotted home from twelve yards. The decisive moment came just after the break though as Austrian captain Marc Janko scuffled the ball home after a corner. The big striker was later given his marching orders though after a tangle with the Moldovan keeper.

Russia jump to top of the pile in Group G, level on points with Montenegro and Austria. Sweden are still winless with a pair of points from their duo of ties.

Euro Qualifier Full Time Results

Lithuania 1-0 Estonia

England 5-0 San Marino

Slovakia 2-1 Spain

Macedonia 3-2 Lux

Belarus 0-2 Ukraine

Sweden 1-1 Russia

Moldova 1-2 Austria

Liechtenstein 0-0 Montenegro

Slovenia 1-0 Switzerland

2016 European Qualifiers C Table

http://www.extratime.ie/leagues/2021/230/2016-european-qualifiers-c-2014-2015/ 

 

2016 European Qualifiers E Table

http://www.extratime.ie/leagues/2021/232/2016-european-qualifiers-e-2014-2015/

2016 European Qualifiers G Table

http://www.extratime.ie/leagues/2021/234/2016-european-qualifiers-g-2014-2015/