You are in > manchester.com  > News > France and Sweden earn World Cup places

General Sports News

France and Sweden earn World Cup places

12/10/2005

France won the battle to finish top of group four as they edged out Switzerland, the Republic of Ireland and Israel thanks to a 4-0 win over Cyprus in the Stade de France.

Switzerland would have won the group if they had overcome Ireland but they had to settle for a goalless draw in Dublin and will now appear in the play-offs.

Sweden gained the second automatic qualification place for best runners-up after they beat Iceland 3-1.

Goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, ex-Celtic striker Henrik Larsson and Kim Kallstrom sent the Scandinavians through behind Croatia in group eight.

European champions Greece will not be at the World Cup after they failed to qualify from group two.

The Greeks only had an outside chance of qualifying and had to rely on both Turkey and Denmark slipping up but in the end, both sides won, against Albania and Kazakhstan respectively, and Turkey went through to the play-offs.

Spain scrapped through into the play-offs after thumping minnows San Marino 6-0.

Antonio Lopez set the tone by scoring inside the first minute and Athletic Madrid's Fernando Torres claimed a hat-trick, while Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos scored twice.

Spain finished behind Serbia and Montenegro in group seven, who clinched automatic qualification thanks to a 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Czech Republic also advanced to the play-offs after claiming the win they needed away to Finland.

The Czechs won 3-0 on the night thanks to goals from Tomas Jun, Borussia Dortmund's Tomas Rosicky and Marek Heinz.

Slovakia will be hoping to appear in their first World Cup after they secured a play-off place by holding Russia to a 0-0 draw in Bratislava.

England finished top of group six after they beat Poland 2-1, although both sides had already qualified for the tournament in Germany next summer.

Wales beat Azerbaijan 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium, while Northern Ireland crashed to a 2-0 defeat in Austria.

Italy won group five and finished their campaign with a narrow 2-1 over Moldova, while Norway took the play-off place.

Scotland finished third in group five after winning 3-0 in Slovenia.

© Adfero Ltd