ALICANTE, Spain -- Spain extended their
lead at the top of group seven as they beat underdogs
Liechtenstein 5-0 in their World Cup qualifier at the Rico Perez
stadium on Saturday.
A Gaizka Mendieta double (36 and 81), a neat back heel from
Raul (68) and a diving header from Ivan Helguera (20) were
complemented by Fernando Hierro penalty to give the group
leaders a comfortable win.
Hierro's 54th minute penalty was his 26th goal for his
country and took him level with Emilio Butrgueno as Spain's
leading goalscorer - a remarkable record given the fact that he
has played most of his 77 games as a defender.
Liechtenstein began in spirited fashion and managed to hold
off the home side in the opening stages, but Spain monopolised
possession and after Helguera's opening goal the game turned
into a monologue of Spanish attacks.
Spain stretched their unbeaten home record in World Cup
qualifiers to 36 matches, a total that comprises 31 wins and
five draws and dates back to 1934.
Bosnia, Austria draw 1-1 in thrilling qualifier
SARAJEVO -- Bosnia and Austria drew 1-1
on Saturday in a lively World Cup qualifier which left both far
behind leaders Spain in European group seven.
Spain, who overwhelmed Liechtenstein 5-0 in Alicante on
Saturday, have 10 points from four games to lead the group from
Israel, who have six points from three games.
Austria have five points from three games, while Bosnia are
effectively out of it with one point from three games.
Bosnia soaked up early Austrian pressure and threatened with
several long-range efforts from Bruno Akrapovic and Elvir Baljic
before Hamburg SV midfielder Sergej Barbarez put his team ahead
in the 43rd minute.
Austria goalkeeper Franz Wohlfahrt managed to stop a
powerful 25-metre free-kick from Bosnia's Rayo Vallecano forward
Elvir Bolic but Barbarez, the leading scorer in the Bundesliga,
knocked the rebound into the net from five metres.
Bosnia started strongly in the second half and had more of
the game but conceded an equaliser when Austria left back
Michael Baur headed home in the 61st minute at the near post
from a corner by captain Andreas Herzog.
Bosnia coach Miso Smajlovic said: "We tried hard but we
could not make it and we were also unlucky...but we will try
everything until the end of the qualifications."
Austria coach Otto Baric said: "It was a good game from both
sides and the draw seems the just result."
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