OVIEDO, Spain -- A late flurry of goals
helped Spain return to the top of group seven with a 4-1 win
over Bosnia in their European World Cup qualifying match at the
Nuevo Carlos Tartiere stadium on Saturday.
A powerful header from substitute Javi Moreno on 76 minutes,
a neat header from Raul a minute from time and an injury-time
strike from Diego Tristan helped seal a win that appeared more
comfortable on the score sheet than it was on the pitch.
Fernando Hierro earlier became Spain's record goalscorer
when he opened the scoring by stabbing the ball home on 26
minutes for his 27th international goal.
But Bosnia looked sharp on the counter attack and were
rewarded when Mirsad Beslija struck a shot that was deflected
over helpless Spanish keeper Santiago Canizares on 41 minutes.
It was only after the determined Bosnian defence tired in
the second half that Spain had more time on the ball and were
able to extend their unbeaten run in the qualifying group.
Israel rolls past minnows Liechtenstein 3-0
VADUZ, Liechtenstein -- Israel turned on
the style in the opening 20 minutes in which they scored three
goals before slowing the pace as they beat World Cup group seven
minnows Liechtenstein 3-0 on Saturday.
Israel kept their qualification chances alive after Haim
Revivo of Turkish champions Fenerbahce set them on their way
when he slotted the ball into an empty net in the second minute
after a good through ball from Avi Nimni.
Everton's Idan Tal was on hand to head in after a mixup from
a corner four minutes later.
In the 17th minute Nimni, of Maccabi Tel Aviv, the leading
scorer in the Israeli league this season, completed the
scoreline when he blasted a close-range shot past helpless
goalkeeper Peter Jehle after he had blocked a fierce Revivo
drive.
The Israelis appeared to be happy with their evening's work
and soon after the third goal the pace of the match slowed
dramatically and few other chances were created.
The Liechtenstein players, who hardly threatened Israel
keeper Nir Davidovich, managed to put the ball in the net in the
87th minute, but substitute Matthias Beck was adjudged
offside.
The Israelis wore black armbands and the teams observed a
minute's silence as a mark of respect for the 18 people who were
killed in Friday's devastating bomb blast in Tel Aviv.
The tragedy also prompted a last-minute change of heart over
the live transmission of the game in Israel following a dispute
over broadcasting rights appeared to be deadlocked.
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