World Cup round-up: Minute of madness leaves Northern Ireland reeling

Caption competition
Caption competition
View past winners of our Sports caption competition
News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
Sport blogs

Hertha Berlin and the Skibbe saga – a depressing tale

Perhaps, in a few decades time, some German writer will transform Michael Skibbe's excruciatingly br...

Top 14: Day of reckoning looms for Racing Metro

By the middle of Wednesday afternoon we should have the first indication of what lies ahead for Raci...

iBet: Barcelona are struggling away from home

My betting instinct in any first leg of a two-legged tie is to go low on goals, and that applies eve...

Northern Ireland were left stunned after two goals from Slovenia in the space of a minute stole three points at Windsor Park. Their seconddefeat in three World Cup qualifying games in Group Three leaves them second from bottom with one point, ahead only of San Marina.

Milivoje Novakovic made the breakthrough in the 84th minute and then the substitute Zlatan Ljubijankic added a second after theNorthern Ireland defence broke down. Until the Slovenian breakthrough Nigel Worthington's side had played with passion and discipline, though by the end of the match the referee had got his card out on nine occasions.

Croatia's poor start to World Cup qualifying continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw against Ukraine in Kharkiv yesterday. The result leaves Croatia five points behind the Group Six leaders England after three games. Croatia have four points, while Ukraine are second with seven.

Ukraine dominated possession in the first half, and Milan forward Andriy Shevchenko was denied on a number of occasions by the Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa. Shevchenko also blasted a free kick wide from 20 meters just before halftime, after Oleksandr Aliyev was brought down by Niko Kovac. Croatia improved in the second half, and Ivica Olic hit the crossbar with a 50th-minute header from a corner. Luka Modric had a chance for a winner in the 81st, but was foiled by Andriy Pyatov's fingertip save. Croatia host Andorra on Wednesday. Ukraine, which earlier beatBelarus and Kazakhstan, no not have another game until it they travel to England in April.

Holland went to the top of Scotland's group (nine) following a 2-0 victory over Iceland in Rotterdam with goals – both set up by Rafael van der Vaart – from Joris Mathijsen and Klaas Huntelaar.

Germany beat Russia 2-1 in Dortmund thanks to first-half goals from Lukas Podolski and captain Michael Ballack. Andrei Arshavin scored with a tap in in the 51st minute but Germany held on go top of the group above Wales.

France recovered from 2-0 down in Romania to salvage a 2-2 draw in Group Seven with goals from Franck Ribéry and Yoann Gourcuff. Florentin Petre and Dorin Goian put Romania ahead after just 17 minutes as France's weak defence was again exposed. The draw may not be enough to save the France coach Raymond Domenech's job. The French football federation is expected to decide whether he stays on over the next few days

In Group Eight Italy were held to a goalless draw by Bulgaria in Sofia but remain top of the table on seven points. The Republic of Ireland can match that on Wednesday if they beat Cyprus.

Spain's domination of Group Five continued as they beat Estonia 3-0. The European Champions continued their superb form with a goals from Juanito, David Villa and Carles Puyol.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus

Day In a Page

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets
Peter Moore: 'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'

Peter Moore interview

'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'
Sellafield faces nuclear option as overspending threatens plant's future

Sellafield faces nuclear option

Overspending threatens plant's future
Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Tehran rejects Netanyahu's 'lies' after diplomats in India and Georgia targeted
Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time

Tommy Cassidy interview

Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time
James Lawton: Patience may not be a virtue this time, Roman – Andre Villas-Boas looks all at sea

James Lawton: AVB looks all at sea

Abramovich's visits to training reinforce the idea of a coach feeling pressure from above and below
The 10 Best sledges

The 10 Best sledges

Not all of them require snow...
Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Confronting the real reasons for puttting things off can help us beat it
Fun in the sunset years

Fun in the sunset years

A new movie follows retirees moving to India for low-cost care and a culture of respect for the elderly. For many Britons, it's already a reality
Picture preview: Lucian Freud drawings

Lucian Freud drawings

Picture preview
Silent revolution at the Baftas as the French take top awards

Silent revolution at the Baftas

The Artist wins in seven categories, with Meryl Streep the other big success story
Whitney Houston: The diva who had – and lost – it all

The diva who had – and lost – it all

Nick Hasted charts the highs and lows of Whitney Houston's life
How Picasso won over (some of) the British

How Picasso won over (some of) the British

Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh hated his work, but Picasso provided inspiration for a whole generation of UK artists
Topshop: A Decade Of Design

Topshop: A Decade Of Design

When London Fashion Week starts on Friday, Topshop will celebrate 10 years backing its brightest young stars
John Prescott: 'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

At 73, John Prescott isn't mellowing. In fact he's taking a shot at becoming a police commissioner