England sealed automatic qualification for EURO 2012 courtesy of a turbulent 2-2 draw in Montenegro.
Ashley Young and Darren Bent fired England into a comfortable 2-0 lead in the first 31 minutes, and the Three Lions appeared to be cruising toward the tournament finals in Poland/Ukraine.
Elsad Zverotic halved England’s lead to give Montenegro hope on the stroke of half-time, before a rocky second half saw England concede a late equalizer to Andrija Delibasic, and have star striker Wayne Rooney sent off.
The draw also sealed a qualifying playoff for Montenegro, as third placed Switzerland were beaten 2-0 in Wales.
England started positively and took an 11th minute lead when Rooney released Theo Walcott, and the Arsenal winger’s inch perfect cross was headed home by Young at the back post.
England continued to dominate possession in the rainy conditions, and managed to double their lead 20 minutes later. Rooney was again at the heart of things as he played in Young down the left flank, and the Manchester United winger’s low cross was prodded home by Bent at the back post.
As the clock ticked towards half-time, Montenegro got themselves back into the game when Zverotic fired home a deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Montenegro had the better of the play in the second half and caused England numerous problems. First Fatos Beciraj forced a good save from Joe Hart, and then Stevan Jovetic had a penalty appeal denied after going down under a challenge from debutant Phil Jones.
Fabio Capello tried to shore up the England midfield by withdrawing Bent and putting Frank Lampard on in his place, Stewart Downing was also brought on in place of goal scorer Young.
Capello’s plan to give England an extra man in the middle of the field took a hit in the 73rd minute when Rooney got himself sent off. After losing possession because of a heavy touch, Rooney bundled into the back of Miodrag Dzudovic before pointlessly kicking out to earn himself a red card.
The sending off meant England had to finish the game with 10 men, but also means Rooney will be suspended for at least the first game of the UEFA EURO 2012 tournament.
Montenegro made the most of the extra man in injury time, when a teasing cross from Dzudovic was bundled home from close range by Delibasic to spark manic celebrations among the home supporters.
When the final whistle went both teams had reason to be satisfied. The entertaining draw had ensured England automatic qualification, and sealed a qualifying playoff for Montenegro.
Sadly for Rooney, it is his indiscipline that will likely be the focus of the English media in the aftermath of this game.
TEAMS
MON – Bozovic, Kascelan (Jovanovic), Vukcevic, Jovetic, Vucinic, Beqiraj (Damjanovic), Pekovic, Zverotic, Bozovic (Delibasic), Dzudovic, Savic.
ENG – Hart, Jones, Terry, Cahill, Cole, Walcott (Welbeck), Parker, Barry, Young (Downing), Rooney, Bent (Lampard).
SCORING SUMMARY
ENG – Ashley Young (Theo Walcott) 11’
ENG – Darren Bent (Ashley Young) 31’
MON – Elsad Zverotic (Fatos Beciraj) 45’
MON – Andrija Delibasic (Miodrag Dzudovic) 90’
Elsad Zverotic halved England’s lead to give Montenegro hope on the stroke of half-time, before a rocky second half saw England concede a late equalizer to Andrija Delibasic, and have star striker Wayne Rooney sent off.
The draw also sealed a qualifying playoff for Montenegro, as third placed Switzerland were beaten 2-0 in Wales.
England started positively and took an 11th minute lead when Rooney released Theo Walcott, and the Arsenal winger’s inch perfect cross was headed home by Young at the back post.
England continued to dominate possession in the rainy conditions, and managed to double their lead 20 minutes later. Rooney was again at the heart of things as he played in Young down the left flank, and the Manchester United winger’s low cross was prodded home by Bent at the back post.
As the clock ticked towards half-time, Montenegro got themselves back into the game when Zverotic fired home a deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Montenegro had the better of the play in the second half and caused England numerous problems. First Fatos Beciraj forced a good save from Joe Hart, and then Stevan Jovetic had a penalty appeal denied after going down under a challenge from debutant Phil Jones.
Fabio Capello tried to shore up the England midfield by withdrawing Bent and putting Frank Lampard on in his place, Stewart Downing was also brought on in place of goal scorer Young.
Capello’s plan to give England an extra man in the middle of the field took a hit in the 73rd minute when Rooney got himself sent off. After losing possession because of a heavy touch, Rooney bundled into the back of Miodrag Dzudovic before pointlessly kicking out to earn himself a red card.
The sending off meant England had to finish the game with 10 men, but also means Rooney will be suspended for at least the first game of the UEFA EURO 2012 tournament.
Montenegro made the most of the extra man in injury time, when a teasing cross from Dzudovic was bundled home from close range by Delibasic to spark manic celebrations among the home supporters.
When the final whistle went both teams had reason to be satisfied. The entertaining draw had ensured England automatic qualification, and sealed a qualifying playoff for Montenegro.
Sadly for Rooney, it is his indiscipline that will likely be the focus of the English media in the aftermath of this game.
TEAMS
MON – Bozovic, Kascelan (Jovanovic), Vukcevic, Jovetic, Vucinic, Beqiraj (Damjanovic), Pekovic, Zverotic, Bozovic (Delibasic), Dzudovic, Savic.
ENG – Hart, Jones, Terry, Cahill, Cole, Walcott (Welbeck), Parker, Barry, Young (Downing), Rooney, Bent (Lampard).
SCORING SUMMARY
ENG – Ashley Young (Theo Walcott) 11’
ENG – Darren Bent (Ashley Young) 31’
MON – Elsad Zverotic (Fatos Beciraj) 45’
MON – Andrija Delibasic (Miodrag Dzudovic) 90’
