BRUSSELS -- Belgium moved to the top of
World Cup European qualifying group six with a well-deserved 3-1
win over Latvia on Saturday.
A confident Belgian side had the best possible start when
Marc Wilmots lobbed the ball over Latvian goalkeeper Aleksandrs
Kolinko to open the scoring in just the second minute.
Belgium went 2-0 ahead 10 minutes later after their finest
move of an open and entertaining match despite being played in
heavy rain.
Bart Goor split the Latvian defence wide open with a cross
from the right which was headed back across the goalmouth by
Gert Verheyen for Schalke 04 striker Emile Mpenza to nod the
ball into the corner past Kolinko's despairing hands.
But the hosts went off the boil for the rest of the first
half as Latvia, beaten 4-0 by Belgium in Riga last October,
fought their way back into the game.
They went close several times just before halftime with
Juris Laizans firing one long-distance shot just wide and
Southampton's Marian Pahars having a goal disallowed for
offside.
Belgium made a bright start to the second half, with Wilmots
and Mpenza outstanding.
And after five minutes they got the third when a cross flew
off the head of defender Mihails Zemlinskis and into the net for
an own goal.
Latvia pulled a goal back two minutes later when Pahars
drove home from close range after a free kick.
The win puts Belgium top of group six, equal on points to
Scotland but with a superior goal difference. They will hope to
improve it further against San Marino on Wednesday.
But the more important game is likely to come on September
5, when Belgium entertain the Scots.
Belgian coach Robert Waseige, back on the touchline after
recently undergoing quadruple heart bypass surgery, was not
entirely happy with his side's performance.
Croatia cruise to 4-0 win
VARAZDIN, Croatia -- Croatia eased to a 4-0
home win over San Marino 4-0 in their World Cup European group
six qualifier on Saturday.
Croatia open the scoring after three minutes, when Goran
Vlaovic diverted a Robert Prosinecki corner into the net and
then hit the woodwork twice in a few minutes halfway through the
first half.
Bosko Balaban headed the second goal in the 29th minute,
Davor Suker, who came on as substitute in the second half, got
the third after 54 with a penalty and Davor Vugrinec sealed the
victory with another header after an hour.
The win leaves Croatia third, on eight points, three behind
Scotland and Belgium.
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