Netherlands vs Scotland Highlights: WC Qualifiers Highlights

Headers from Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie and a Dirk Kuyt penalty gave Holland a comfortable and easy win over Scotland in their World Cup qualifier at the Amsterdam ArenA.

The Scots were made to pay for the chance Kenny Miller spurned early in the game when Real Madrid striker Huntelaar headed in a Mark van Bommel cross after 29 minutes.

Any hopes of a Scotland comeback were crushed right on the break when Van Persie headed in from an Arjen Robben cross.

There was more misery for George Burley’s brave but inferior side after the interval.

Scotland defender Gary Caldwell had a goal mysteriously chalked off by referee Laurent Duhamel before Kuyt scored from the spot in the 76th minute after Christophe Berra had fouled Huntelaar in the box.

There was no real surprise about the result but Scotland now need to take three points against Iceland at Hampden on Wednesday to keep their chances of reaching the World Cup alive.

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Lithuania vs France Highlights: World Cup Qualifiers Highlights

Franck Ribery bought new lease of life into France’s stuttering World Cup qualifying campaign with a second-half winner against Lithuania in Kaunas tonight.

The Bayern Munich winger’s swerving left-foot shot in the 67th minute earned Les Bleus a much deserved three points that keeps them in the hunt for top spot in Group Seven.

The French remain in third place but narrow the gap to the second-placed Lithuanians to just couple of points.

Serbia’s 3-2 win over Romania earlier tonight keeps them at the summit, three points above Lithuania onto the top of the table, but France have a game in hand over the pair above them.

On an uneven pitch and in cold conditions, France were in control throughout but it looked like they were going to fail to turn their chances into goals before Ribery struck.

The result will take some of the heat off under-pressure Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech and he will now be eying another victory over Lithuania on Wednesday at the Stade de France.

In the past, home and away matches against Lithuania would have been looked at by the French as an easy opportunity to pick up some qualification points.

But Les Bleus may have viewed the double-header with some trepidation given their current form, their already-perilous position in the group and the Lithuanians’ steady improvement in recent years.

Buoyed by three wins from their opening four pool matches, the hosts came into the match in buoyant mood knowing the poor standard of the pitch was something of a leveler, in their favour. But the visitors held their nerve and dominated the tie to secure three points.

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Montenegro vs Italy Highlights: WC Qualifiers Highlights

Giampaolo Pazzini came off the bench to score on his Italy debut as the Azzurri beat Montenegro comfortably in tonight’s World Cup qualifying match in Podgorica.

After Andrea Pirlo had put Marcelo Lippi’s team in the lead from the spot in the first half, Sampdoria striker Pazzini came on as a second-half substitute and found the back of the net in the 72nd minute.

The Italians now lead Group Eight on 13 points – two clear of Wednesday’s opponents Republic of Ireland, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Bulgaria.

Hosts Montenegro were without suspended striker Mirko Vucinic, who plies his trade in Italy with Roma, but nevertheless started strong.

Montenegro who are yet to taste victory pressed forward in the last stages of the game but the Azzurri held on for the victory.

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Germany vs Liechtenstein Highlights: WC Qualifiers Highlights

Germany cruised to a comfortable home victory over Liechtenstein to remain four points clear at the top of their World Cup Qualifying Group.

Skipper Michael Ballack opened the scoring in the fourth minute and Daniel Jansen made it 2-0 after just nine minutes in Leipzig’s Zentralstadion.

The Euro 2008 runners-up needed until the 48th minute to make it three through Bastian Schweinsteiger, but then quickly added a fourth two minutes later courtesy of Lukas Podolski.

Joachim Low’s team dominated the rest of the tie but were unable to convert a number of chances to extend their lead.

The victory sees Germany move onto 13 points from five matches, four points clear of second-placed Russia and six points clear of third placed Wales.

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