World Cup qualifiers’ results (Europe): Ukraine stun Montenegro, Portugal beat Russia and other games

Group H. Ukraine stunned group-leaders Montenegro with an excellent 4-0 win at Podgorica. The game saw three players sent off, with the hosts finishing the game with nine men. The victory revives Ukraine’s hopes of reaching the World Cup finals, allowing England to remain within two points of top spot with a game in hand.

Group F. Portugal battled to a narrow 1-0 win in a closely-fought game at Estádio da Luz.

Helder Postiga got Portugal off to a flying start with a tap-in from Veloso’s free-kick in the ninth minute of the game. The score did not change until the final whistle, despite Russia’s desperate attempts of scoring an equalizer.

The result means Portugal move top of Group F, three points ahead of Israel and two points ahead of the closest rivals Russia, with the latter still considered favourites to win the group with two games in hand.

Group C. Robbie Keane marked his record-breaking Ireland’s cap with a marvelous hat-trick to sin Faroe Islands and edge closer to the second spot in Group C, while Austria secured a shocking 2-1 win over Sweden to deal a major blow to their chances of qualification for World Cup. Currently second-placed Austria and third-placed Republic of Ireland are level on points, with the former outstripping the latter on goal difference. Fourth-placed Sweden are trailing their closest rivals by three points with a game in hand. Germany are topping the table with 16 points from 6 games.

Group B. Balotelli was shown a red card, as Group B leaders Italy were held to a scoreless draw by Czech Republic in Prague. Italy remain at the top of the table with 14 points, four points ahead of Bulgaria, while Czechs are sitting in the third spot, one point behind the second spot.

Group A. Belgium move three points clear at top after somewhat nervy 2-1 win over third-placed Serbia.

Other results:

Group I.

Finland 1-0 Belarus

Group G.

Latvia 0-5 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Liechtenstein 1-1 Slovakia
Lithuania 0-1 Greece
Group E
Switzerland 1-0 Cyprus