Crazy Football Night in Berlin cold shower for Germans they cannot expect Vikings comeback like this! Champion Spain collapse last minuthe against France, Netherlands easly won Romanian capital Dutch team almots on the Brazil 2014 World Cup

Germany vs Sweden :Historic Match  Swedish Roar after 56. minuthe 

Sweden staged an amazing comeback from 4-0 down to earn a draw with Germany in Berlin, scoring four goals in the final half-hour – the last of them deep into stoppage time. It was the first time in their history that Germany had lost a four-goal lead.

Miroslav Klose scored two early goals as Germany, who had won their first three games in Group C and thrashed the Republic of Ireland 6-1 on their last outing, dominated for an hour before the comeback began. “I have never seen a thing like this in an international,” Sweden’s coach, Erik Hamren, said. “Did we believe we could get a result at 3-0 down at half-time? No, no, there was no one who thought that.”

The Germany coach, Joachim Löw, was no closer to understanding what happened. “I don’t know how to explain it,” he said. “Normally we would not waste a four-goal lead. The problem seems to have been mental after 60 minutes. We became sloppy and lost our discipline.”

Klose scored in the eighth and the 15th minutes, Per Mertesacker added another in the 39th and Mesut Ozil made it 4-0 in the 56th. But Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in the 62nd minute, Mikael Lustig and Johan Elmander scored before Rasmus Elm snatched the point with a goal two minutes into stoppage time.

“It was 11 different players who came out for the second half,” Ibrahimovic said. “We played in a completely different way … I don’t know how to describe it. We were too scared and had too much respect in the first half. After my first goal I felt they were backing off more and more.”

The Germany captain, Philipp Lahm, said the result was “very bitter”. “Maybe we thought the game was already over,” he said. “You concede the first goal, then the second and then everything falls apart.”

Bastian Schweinsteiger said the Germans may have felt too secure with a four-goal lead. “I can’t explain it. I’ve never experienced anything like this,” he said.

Germany have failed to beat Sweden in five matches in Berlin, with two defeats and three draws. But from the start it looked like this would be an easy victory for the home side, with Thomas Müller hitting the post in the second minute.

Germany’s passing game dazzled Sweden and they opened the scoring after Marco Reus broke through on the left flank and fed Klose, who slid to volley home. The second goal was even more impressive. Reus swapped passes with Müller before passing to Klose at the near post. His first effort was stopped by Andreas Isaksson but he knocked in the loose ball. It was his 67th goal in 126 games for Germany, one behind Gerd Muller’s record of 68.

Mertesacker scored after Müller headed a deep cross back across goal but Isaksson was booked for protesting that the ball had touched Klose’s arm as the German move evolved. The striker had received a German fair-play prize before the kick-off for conceding that he had scored with his hand for his club, Lazio, against Napoli last month, leading the referee to annul the goal. Klose said nothing this time.

Germany seemed on the way to a rout after Ozil scored a fourth, with Müller providing the pass to the far post. But Ibrahimovic scored with a header from a perfectly timed cross from the substitute Kim Kallstrom. Two minutes later Kallstrom sent another good pass behind the German defence and Lustig beat Holger Badstuber to the ball to slip it past Manuel Neuer.

Elmander latched on to a pass from another substitute, Alex Kacaniklic, with Badstuber again out of position, to score at the near post as the Germans lost their composure.

The Germany midfielder Toni Kroos came close to securing a win when he hit the post from long range in the 82nd minute, and then Tobias Sana, a late substitute for Sweden, missed an empty net after Neuer had dropped the ball under pressure from Elmander.

But Sweden got the equaliser, although the Germans were calling for a foul as Ibrahimovic appeared to elbow Mertesacker before the Germany defender unwittingly headed the ball down for Elm to guide the ball into the corner of the net from 14 yards out.

Nonetheless, Germany stays on top of the standings with 10 points in Group C, followed by Sweden, Ireland, Austria, Kazakhstan and Faroe Islands.

Germany (4-2-3-1)

Neuer; Boateng, Mertesacker, Badstuber, Lahm; Schweinsteiger, Kroos; T. Müller, Özil, Reus; Klose

Substitutes: Zieler, ter Stegen, Höwedes, Westermann, M. Götze, Schürrle, Podolski

Sweden (4-2-3-1)

Isaksson; Lustig, Granqvist, J. Olsson, Safari; Wernbloom, Holmén; Larsson, Ibrahimović, R. Elm; Elmander

Substitutes: Dahlin, Hansson, Almebäck, Martin Olsson, A. Johansson, Wilhelmsson, A. Svensson, Källström, Kačaniklić, Ranegie, Berg

Watch Germany 4 Sweden 4 Video:

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Romania vs Netherlands: Dutch go clear victory with classy stars

A thrilling first-half saw Jeremain Lens and Bruno Martins Indi put the visitors two goals ahead in the opening half an hour, before a brilliant solo effort from Ciprian Marica pulled the hosts back into the tie.

The Dutch would take a two-goal lead into the interval however, with Rafael van der Vaart converting from the spot in added time.

Neither side were able to replicate their first-half dynamism in the second period, with Netherlands comfortable controlling the tempo of the game and holding on to collect three valuable points. A late Robin van Persie strike sealed the victory for his side.

The match began in frantic fashion with both sides applying immediate pressure. The hosts were handed the first chance of note when nervy play at the back culminated in Johnny Heitinga fouling his opponent, with Gabriel Torje coming within inches of converting the resulting free-kick. The 22-year old’s curling effort rocketed off the underside of the crossbar, allowing the visitors to clear.

The Oranje were on hand to respond just minutes later however, with Lens opening the scoring in the ninth minute. A poor clearance from Romania keeper Ciprian Tatarusano found the PSV man on the edge of the area, and his speculative header found its way into the back of the net.

The opening goal sparked a frenzied period of offensive play from the hosts, with Gheorghe Grozav beating the offside trap and finding himself one-on-one with Maarten Stekelenburg. The striker’s attempt was straight at the Roma stopper however, and the 29-year confidently collected the effort.

Romania’s offensive intentions left gaps to be exploited for the Dutch however, who quickly settled into a midfield rhythm. The Oranje nearly doubled their lead from a corner in the 17th minute, when Van Persie’s classy flick was well parried by Tatarusano. A free-kick from range was mis-hit by the Manchester United forward shortly after, as the visitors continued to draw fouls from the hosts in the final third.

And it was from a set piece that Netherlands found their second goal, when Indi tapped home a Van der Vaart free-kick to double his side’s lead on the half hour mark. The Feyenoord defender was allowed to drift away from his marker as the ball curled in, and he converted with the simplest of finishes from point-blank range.

The Tricolori piled on the pressure with half-time approaching, and Marica pulled the hosts back into it with a virtuoso goal in the 39th minute. The Schalke forward beat three Dutch defenders en route to the edge of the area, from where he unleashed a low drive past Stekelenburg to halve the Oranje’s lead.

The goal brought the home crowd back to life, and the Romanians continued to push for an equaliser before the interval. Gabriel Torje soon found space on the right and whipped in an inviting effort towards the six-yard box, but strong communication between Ron Vlaar and his keeper allowed the visitors to clear.

The Netherlands were able to restore their two-goal lead before the break however, when Gabriel Tamas brought down Luciano Narsingh with the ball seemingly rolling out of play. Van der Vaart confidently stepped up to convert the penalty, rocketing a low drive past the hands of Tatarusano.

The second-half saw the Dutch settle back into their midfield tempo, with the hosts resorting to physicality to stem the likes of Narsingh and Van der Vaart. Van Persie did well to latch onto a free kick delivery from the latter in the 48th minute, but a reflex save from the keeper denied the 29-year old.

The hosts were reluctant to settle for a loss however, and soon enjoyed their own positive spell. Bogdan Stancu tested Stekelenburg with a stinging drive in the 50th minute, finding the space to release a rocketing effort some 25 yards out. The Dutch stopper stood firm to parry the attempt however, with nothing coming from the rebound. Torje then sent in a promising delivery shortly after, but failed to find his intended target.

The two-goal cushion allowed Netherlands to lower their tempo after the hour mark, with the Oranje content to sit back and absorb pressure from the timid hosts. Romania skipper Razvan Rat sent in a sublime delivery with 15 minutes remaining, but the ball flew past the Shakhtar Donetsk man’s team-mates with the goal gaping.

Tempers boiled over as the match drew to a close, with the home crowd seething at the decision to deny the hosts a penalty. A flurry of bookings were issued in the final 10 minutes, but the Dutch maintained their composure to put the match to bed in the 85th minute. Narsingh found Van Persie with a brilliantly weighted low delivery from the right, which the Manchester United striker converted in clinical fashion.

Louis van Gaal’s side now top group D with 12 points, while Romania find themselves joint second alongside Hungary.

Watch Romania 1 Netherlands 4 Match Video:

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Spain vs France: Giroud goal earns France a draw with mighty Spain

Olivier Giroud’s header deep into stoppage-time salvaged a deserved 1-1 draw for France against world champion Spain in Madrid and ended the host’s run of 24 consecutive qualifying victories.

Sergio Ramos had fired home after his initial effort had come off the post in the 26th minute to give Spain the lead but it was left to rue Cesc Fabregas’ missed penalty just before half-time as the visitor took control of the game after the break.

Karim Benzema and Moussa Sissoko looked to have squandered France’s best chances to claim a point as they missed clear openings late on but with the last attack of the game Franck Ribery crossed for Giroud to head low into the far corner.

The draw means that both sides remain locked together at the top of Group I with seven points from three games.

As expected Vicente del Bosque had made just the one change from the side that started the 4-0 victory over Belarus last week as Andres Iniesta replaced Santi Cazorla, but the Arsenal midfielder was forced into action after just 10 minutes when David Silva had to come off with an injury.

Cazorla even had the first effort on goal after a slow start but his low drive was easily held by Hugo Lloris, but French boss Didier Deschamps will have been hugely frustrated that after comfortably soaking up the host’s usual probing it conceded such a sloppy goal from a set-piece midway through the half.

Xavi’s corner found Ramos completely unmarked just six yards from goal and after his initial header came back off the post, the defender was on hand to turn the ball high into the net when Pedro pulled it back across the area.

The goal though forced France forward and it was very nearly level 10 minutes later when Benzema was released by Ribery but his cross-shot could not beat his Real Madrid teammate Iker Casillas as the Spain captain turned the ball behind for a corner.

France threatened again moments later when Jeremy Menez was ruled narrowly offside when he prodded in Benzema’s knock down from Yohan Cabaye’s free-kick, but the visitor was then thankful to Lloris to only be 1-0 down at the break.

The Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper first produced a fine save down to his right to parry Fabregas’ penalty after Laurent Koscielny had clattered into Pedro inside the area and three minutes later the French skipper saved his side again as he denied fierce efforts from Pedro and Fabregas inside the area.

Spain’s start to the second period was disrupted just as it was in the first by an early injury as this time Alvaro Arbeloa limped off, replaced by Juanfran, and that change seemed to give Ribery some encouragement as he attacked with far more purpose than he had before the break.

The Bayern Munich playmaker saw a shot deflected just wide on 58 minutes before Koscielny failed to make a clean connection to turn in the resulting corner.

Fabregas and Xavi then had chances to seal the points but both were denied by last ditch French defending as they bore down on goal.

Benzema really ought to have brought Deschamps’ men level as he somehow miscued from Ribery’s fantastic cross with the goal at his mercy from five yards.

France continued to threaten though with Benzema’s movement in particular causing all sorts of problems and he teed up another great chance for substitute Sissoko 17 minutes from time but the Toulouse midfielder blazed his volley over.

Benzema was eventually forced off himself with a knock two minutes from the end but it turned out to be a fortunate change for Deschamps as, with his only real involvement in the game, Giroud delicately directed Ribery’s pinpoint cross into the net.

Spain (4-3-3): Casillas; Arbeloa (Juanfran 50), Ramos, Busquets, Alba; Iniesta (Torres 75), Alonso, Xavi; Silva (Cazorla 9), Fabregas, Pedro.Subs Valdes, Albiol, Monreal, Javi Martinez, Villa, Benat, Soldado, Jesus Navas, Reina, Etxebarria. Booked Juanfran. Goal Ramos 25.

France (4-3-3) Lloris; Debuchy, Koscielny, Sakho, Evra; Gonalons (Valbuena 57), Cabaye, Matuidi; Menez (Sissoko 68), Benzema (Giroud 88), Ribery. Subs Landreau, Rami, Reveillere, Matuidi, Jallet, Gomis, Capoue, Clichy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Chantome, Mandanda. BookedGonalons, Koscielny. Goal Giroud 90.

Referee F Brych (Germany).
Att: 46,000

Watch Spain vs France Match Video:

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Belgium vs Scotland: Belgium perhaps hold united to country with football

A question mark hangs over Craig Levein’s future as Scotland manager as hopes of salvaging their World Cup qualifying campaign were shattered by a 2-0 defeat to Belgium.

The Scots headed into the match in Brussels sitting second bottom of Group A and still seeking a first win which was desperately needed to boost their slim hopes of reaching Brazil in 2014.

But second-half goals from Christian Benteke and Vincent Kompany just a minute apart meant the dramatic victory against one of the section favourites failed to materialise on another bitterly disappointing night for Scotland.

Levein made one change from the side who lost to Wales, with Wigan midfielder James McArthur drafted into the starting line-up in place of Scott Brown.

The Celtic skipper was forced to withdraw from the squad with an ongoing hip problem that forced him out of Friday’s clash in Cardiff at half-time.

Injury to Marouane Fellaini should have been a boost for the Scots but they still faced a Belgian side packed full of talent in the shape of players such as Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen.

The home side were even in a position to name Eden Hazard on the bench, confirming speculation he would not start the game at the King Baudouin Stadium.

Belgium looked dangerous right from the first whistle and a Gary Caldwell error allowed Dries Mertens to burst into the box.

But goalkeeper Allan McGregor came to the rescue and blocked superbly at both attempts by Mertens to deny the home side the opener early on.

Fortunately for the Scots, McGregor was on top form and he also saved well from Nacer Chadli at the near post before diving bravely to the feet of the same player to snuff out another threat.

After a period of intense pressure from the Belgians, a mis-hit shot from James Morrison caused more problems than it should have for Thibaut Courtois.

The goalkeeper looked more convincing when he prevented a curling free-kick from Shaun Maloney from finding the top corner after Kris Commons was fouled just outside the box by Moussa Dembele.

At the other end, Chadli was given enough space to unleash a thunderous strike from 25 yards that whistled inches past the post, before Dembele and Mertens both saw efforts fall wide of target.

With half-time approaching, Scotland threatened from another free-kick, with Commons forcing a decent save from the keeper on this occasion.

Both sides made a change at the interval, with Jamie Mackie replacing Commons and Dembele making way for Hazard.

The Belgians hit the woodwork within five minutes of the restart when Benteke threw himself in front of Toby Alderweireld’s cross only to see his header clip the crossbar on the way over.

Kevin Mirallas was thrown into the action for Mertens, before McGregor was shown the first yellow card of the game for time wasting on the hour mark.

The breakthrough came for the Belgians after 69 minutes when Benteke bulleted home a header at the back post, eventually beating the impressive McGregor.

Belgium doubled their lead a minute later when Kompany collected from Hazard on the edge of the area and rifled an unstoppable shot into the back of the net.

It was a crushing blow for the Scots, who replaced Steven Fletcher with Kenny Miller, with just over 15 minutes to go.

Blackpool’s Matt Phillips was then handed his competitive debut, confirming his allegiance to a Scotland side whose slim hopes of reaching the World Cup finals were, by then, left in tatters

Belgium (4-1-4-1): Courtois; Alderweireld, Kompany, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Witsel; De Bruyne, Dembele (Hazard h-t), Mertens (Mirallas 55), Chadli; Benteke (Llombe 86).
Subs: Mignolet (g), Ciman, Mboyo, Van Buyten, Defour, Lombaerts, Vossen, J-F Gillet, Simons, G Gillet. Booked: Chadli. Goals: Benteke 69, Kompany 71.

Scotland (4-2-3-1): McGregor; Hutton, Caldwell, Berra, Fox; McArthur, D Fletcher; Commons (Mackie h-t), Morrison, Maloney; S Fletcher (Miller 76).

Subs: Gilks (g), Marshall (g), Mulgrew, Cowie, Adam, Martin, Phillips, Webster. Booked: McGregor.

Referee: T Hagen (Norway).

Att: 44,047

Watch Belgium 2 Scotland 0 Match Video:

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Poland vs England game postponed for heavy rain

The Group H game will now take place in Warsaw on Wednesday 5pm local time, the FA confirmed.

Heavy rain had been falling in the Polish capital for most of the day and massive pools of water had appeared on the pitch.

Italian referee Gianluca Rocci inspected the pitch at 9pm local time, when the match was due to start at Warsaw’s National Stadium.

It seemed then that the cause was hopeless.

However, such was FIFA’s desperation for the match to go ahead, it was decided to wait another 45 minutes before making a final decision.

In the end, though, with rain continuing to fall, there was no chance of the game being played properly and the decision to postpone was taken.

It was the first time an England match had been called off due to the weather since 1979 and calls into question the decision of the Polish Football Association not to close the stadium roof.

The decision was greeted with derision by a packed stadium.

However, it seemed obvious from the initial inspection, as the ball repeatedly came to a standstill in massive puddles, there was no way the match could go ahead.

Although the goalkeepers had begun their warm-up, neither team attempted it.

And they did not try later on either.

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