|
|
Played
September 2, 2011 7:15 PM BST
Stadion Vasil Levski — Sofia
Referee: F. De Bleeckere
Attendance: 27230
September 2, 2011 7:15 PM BST
Stadion Vasil Levski — Sofia
Referee: F. De Bleeckere
Attendance: 27230
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bulgaria | 5.00 | 11.00 | 5.25 | 81.00 | 5.50 | 6.00 | 300.00 | 5.00 | 5.50 |
| Draw | 3.60 | 5.20 | 3.40 | 66.00 | 3.60 | 3.70 | 100.00 | 3.60 | 3.75 |
| England | 1.75 | 1.20 | 1.70 | 1.00 | 1.67 | 1.55 | 0.00 | 1.74 | 1.60 |
Top of the Match
Wayne Rooney
England
England
Wayne Rooney
England
England
Flop of the Match
Zhivko Milanov
Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Ivan Bandalovski
Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Bulgaria 0-3 England: Rooney double & Gary Cahill’s first senior goal move Capello’s side three points clear in Group G
A decent performance is all that is required for the Three Lions to expose awful defending from the home side, as three first-half goals secured a simple yet vital win in Sofia
By George Ankers
Getty Images
England handed Bulgaria a battering to stay at the top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group, with Gary Cahill netting his first goal for his country, while the in-form Wayne Rooney bagged a brace to seal a 3-0 win in Sofia.
England, as expected, handed a debut to Chris Smalling at right-back, where the 21-year-old has been so effective out of position for Manchester United. The most surprising omission was Frank Lampard, ignored for competitive selection when available for the first time in four years.
After a very quiet start to the game, with neither side looking to grab it by the scruff of the neck, England stole an advantage out of nowhere after twelve minutes. Following a corner, Gareth Barry slipped a clever pass through a disorganised mass of Bulgarian defenders into Cahill, up from the back for the set-piece, who managed to eke the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs with a good finish to mark his first goal for his country.
The match remained at the sedate pace with which it had started for the few minutes that followed, with Bulgaria effectively absent, and after twenty minutes, another goal came out of the blue. It was one that will have enraged Lothar Matthaus as his Bulgarians offered no resistance when defending Downing’s corner, allowing Rooney to nod in a worryingly simple header near the penalty spot. England were finding themselves having to make very little effort to score goals.
Shortly afterward, Parker pushed on to pick out Theo Walcott approaching the area, who pulled it back to Rooney, but finally a Bulgarian offered an attempt at defence as Bodurov removed the danger.
Bulgaria were gradually starting to fight back and Blagoy Georgiev flighted a useful cross into the box from the left flank as the half hour passed, but Genkov could not meet it. Shortly after, Petrov tried to test Joe Hart with a low long-range shot, however it was easily gathered.
A worrying moment for England came just moments later when Smalling completely misjudged the flight of a cross, leaving Petrov space to play it on into the box – but luckily for the debutant, the winger’s volleyed delivery was simply dealt with. The Bulgarians had woken up after their sleepy start and were now comfortably the dominant force in the game.
However, despite England having dropped off totally, Rooney doubled his tally and killed the tie off on the break, when Young played a sublime pass through the legs of Ivan Ivanov for his club colleague to slot home easily at the far post. Nikolay Mihaylov in goal was all at sea and Petar Zanev at right-back paid Rooney no attention at all as the mistery piled on for Matthaus.
That narrow escape seemed to remind the home side of how much work they would have to do to wrestle themselves back in for a result and it appeared to take the remaining wind out of proceedings, with both sides slowing down. Capello showed he was turning his thoughts to Tuesday’s clash with Wales when he substituted the highly impressive Young to keep him fresh for Wembley. James Milner was brought on to help close the match out.
A long period passed with no notable chances, but Walcott should arguably have made it four as he was released past the last defender by Rooney, but the Arsenal man’s lofted attempted finish bounced harmlessly wide of the near post in an uncharacteristic miss.
Thereafter the game drifted back into nothingness with both sides settling for what they had, leaving England untroubled and well set to potentially seal their qualification at Wembley on Tuesday.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
England, as expected, handed a debut to Chris Smalling at right-back, where the 21-year-old has been so effective out of position for Manchester United. The most surprising omission was Frank Lampard, ignored for competitive selection when available for the first time in four years.
After a very quiet start to the game, with neither side looking to grab it by the scruff of the neck, England stole an advantage out of nowhere after twelve minutes. Following a corner, Gareth Barry slipped a clever pass through a disorganised mass of Bulgarian defenders into Cahill, up from the back for the set-piece, who managed to eke the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs with a good finish to mark his first goal for his country.
The match remained at the sedate pace with which it had started for the few minutes that followed, with Bulgaria effectively absent, and after twenty minutes, another goal came out of the blue. It was one that will have enraged Lothar Matthaus as his Bulgarians offered no resistance when defending Downing’s corner, allowing Rooney to nod in a worryingly simple header near the penalty spot. England were finding themselves having to make very little effort to score goals.
Shortly afterward, Parker pushed on to pick out Theo Walcott approaching the area, who pulled it back to Rooney, but finally a Bulgarian offered an attempt at defence as Bodurov removed the danger.
Bulgaria were gradually starting to fight back and Blagoy Georgiev flighted a useful cross into the box from the left flank as the half hour passed, but Genkov could not meet it. Shortly after, Petrov tried to test Joe Hart with a low long-range shot, however it was easily gathered.
A worrying moment for England came just moments later when Smalling completely misjudged the flight of a cross, leaving Petrov space to play it on into the box – but luckily for the debutant, the winger’s volleyed delivery was simply dealt with. The Bulgarians had woken up after their sleepy start and were now comfortably the dominant force in the game.
However, despite England having dropped off totally, Rooney doubled his tally and killed the tie off on the break, when Young played a sublime pass through the legs of Ivan Ivanov for his club colleague to slot home easily at the far post. Nikolay Mihaylov in goal was all at sea and Petar Zanev at right-back paid Rooney no attention at all as the mistery piled on for Matthaus.
Head & shoulders | Dominant first half performance saw England triumph in Bulgaria
That narrow escape seemed to remind the home side of how much work they would have to do to wrestle themselves back in for a result and it appeared to take the remaining wind out of proceedings, with both sides slowing down. Capello showed he was turning his thoughts to Tuesday’s clash with Wales when he substituted the highly impressive Young to keep him fresh for Wembley. James Milner was brought on to help close the match out.
A long period passed with no notable chances, but Walcott should arguably have made it four as he was released past the last defender by Rooney, but the Arsenal man’s lofted attempted finish bounced harmlessly wide of the near post in an uncharacteristic miss.
Thereafter the game drifted back into nothingness with both sides settling for what they had, leaving England untroubled and well set to potentially seal their qualification at Wembley on Tuesday.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Match News
