A FINE long-range strike from Piotr Trochowski earned Group 4 favourites Germany a 1-0 win over Wales in a rain-soaked World Cup qualifier.
The Germans, fresh from a 2-1 win over Russia on Saturday, had most of the possession and virtually all the chances but solid a Welsh defence threatened to frustrate them.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Ballack and Philipp Lahm all came close b
efore Trochowski found his range with a sweet strike from outside the box with a little under 20 minutes to go.
Wales also produced a strong performance in Russia last month, but went down to a narrow defeat and striker Craig Bellamy believed history repeated itself last night. "It seems to be the same old story, we're doing well but that final little bit, we just seem to be falling short," he said. "We've played two good games away from home but they have both ended up in defeat."
Northern Ireland's all-time leading goalscorer David Healy inspired his team to the first win of their Group 3 campaign – 4-0 over San Marino – in Belfast last night.
Healy extended his scoring record to 35 with a neat shot through the legs of goalkeeper Federico Valentini on the half-hour mark. His deft lay-off set up the second just before half-time, Grant McCann hammering in a long-range left-footed strike.
Healy was also instrumental in the third goal, his parried shot falling into the path of Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty who calmly slotted home in the 56th minute.
San Marino, who played the last half-hour with 10 men after Mauro Marani was shown a straight red for slapping Michael O'Connor in the face, were further punished by another Ibrox player when Steven Davis struck in the 75th minute.
The Republic of Ireland got the better of Cyprus by a single goal in their Group 8 match in Dublin. Robbie Keane headed home a fifth-minute Damien Duff cross to win a tight game.
Two goals in each half gave Croatia a 4-0 victory over Andorra in their Group 6 World Cup qualifier in Zagreb.
The scoring was opened by midfielder Ivan Rakitic's superb 20-yard free-kick in the 16th minute. Luka Modric had a 32nd-minute penalty saved by Jesus Alvarez after Victor Rodriguez's foul, but Ivica Olic slotted home the rebound to make it 2-0 at the break.
Tottenham midfielder Modric poached a deflected cross from just inside the box to score the third on 75 minutes, while Rakitic added his second from the penalty spot three minutes from time after a late tackle on Mario Mandzukic.
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Watch highlights of last night's World Cup qualifiers - including Norway v Netherlands - hereThe full article contains 463 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
