SPORTS

Ronaldo strikes as Portugal crush Belgium

March 25, 2007 20:09 IST

Winger Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal crushed Belgium 4-0 in their Euro 2008 qualifier in Group A on Saturday.

Two goals in the space of two minutes paved the way for Portugal's victory, with Nuno Gomes breaking the deadlock in the 52nd minute and Ronaldo getting his first of the night almost immediately afterwards with a header.

Ricardo Quaresma added the third in the 68th minute before Ronaldo completed a rout which left the Euro 2004 hosts in a promising position in their group.

Poland are top on 13 points, having played a game more, after trouncing Azerbaijan 5-0. Finland are second on 11 points, while Portugal moved up to third on 10.

Serbia, who also have 10 points, lost 2-1 to Kazakhstan on Saturday.

Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari, whose side had fired blanks in the first half, said: "We did the same thing in the second half. What was missing was greater precision."

Ronaldo said Portugal "started the second half with greater drive," adding: "We have a very strong side."

Turkey demolish Greece

Turkey thrashed European champions Greece 4-1 in their Euro 2008 qualifier to move three points clear at the top of Group C.

Turkey went in level at halftime before three goals in the second period wrapped up the points and gave them the edge over their Greek rivals in the table with 12 points from four games.

Greece took the lead after five minutes when defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos turned and drilled the ball past goalkeeper Volkan Demirel after a Giorgos Karagounis cross into the box.

But Turkey kept finding space on the left flank from which to launch counter attacks and looked dangerous despite the noise from a fiery 33,000 sell-out crowd at the Karaiskakis stadium.

The visitors almost equalised in the 13th minute when Tuncay Sanli raced through only to see his curling shot from the edge of the box fly past Antonis Nikopolidis's left post.

Sanli did level the scores 14 minutes later when he got the ball in the box, turned past two defenders and fired home.

Gokhan Unal added a second in the 55th before Metin Tumer made it three with a solo effort from outside the box with 20 minutes left.

Gokdeniz Karadeniz scored the fourth in the 80th within a minute of coming on with a sparkling sprint down the left before he slotted the ball past Nikopolidis.

Spain beat Denmark

Spain revived their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign after first-half goals from strike partners Fernando Morientes and David Villa earned them a 2-1 victory over 10-man Denmark at the Bernabeu.

The win lifted Spain one spot to fourth in Group F with six points, one behind Denmark, four behind Northern Ireland, who have played a game more, and six adrift of leaders Sweden.

Denmark made a bright start but there plans were derailed when defender Niclas Jensen was sent off in the 19th minute after picking up two quick-fire bookings.

Spain were quick to take advantage Morientes grabbing the first goal 11 minutes before the break and his Valencia team mate Villa making it 2-0 on the stroke of halftime with a classy individual effort.

Denmark hit back at the start of the second period when Michael Gravgaard headed in at the near post, but although they gave a ragged Spain several scares the visitors were unable to find the net again.

Kuranyi double gives Germany win over Czechs

Two Kevin Kuranyi headers gave Germany a 2-1 win over Czech Republic in a Euro 2008 qualifier to move three points clear at the top of Group D.

Germany have 13 points ahead of the Czechs after five matches with Ireland also on 10 points having played a game more following their 1-0 win over Wales earlier on Saturday.

The Czechs had the first chance but the Germans gradually built up the pressure and in the 42nd minute Kuranyi shrugged off two defenders to head a corner past goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Czech striker Milan Baros had early chances in the second half but headed two Tomas Ujfalusi crosses over before Kuranyi put Germany 2-0 ahead in the 62nd from a Philipp Lahm centre.

Baros scored a lucky goal in the 76th minute, deflecting in a shot by Jan Polak on the edge of the box, to give the home side hope but despite several chances they could not equalise.

Source: REUTERS
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