Champions off and running
Published 23:11 03/09/10 By Pa Sports
World champions Spain began the defence of their European Championship title with a thumping 4-0 win over outclassed Liechtenstein in Vaduz.
Fernando Torres struck twice while David Villa and substitute David Silva were also on the scoresheet as the world's top-ranked side, who this summer added the World Cup to the European crown they won two years ago in Austria and Switzerland, kicked off their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign in impressive style.
Laurent Blanc's first competitive match as France coach ended in a shock 1-0 defeat which deals an early blow to their qualifying bid.
Italy came from behind with two second-half goals to snatch a 2-1 away win at Estonia in their qualifier opener. Antonio Cassano equalised on the hour mark before setting up Leonardo Bonucci three minutes later for Italy's second.
Miroslav Klose's goal was enough to give Germany a winning start as they recorded a 1-0 triumph, while World Cup runners-up Holland began their qualifying campaign with a comprehensive 5-0 rout of Group E minnows San Marino.
Jermain Defoe relieved some of the gloom after England's dismal World Cup by netting a hat-trick in the 4-0 victory over Bulgaria in their opening qualifier at Wembley.
The Tottenham striker lifted the 73,000 crowd by netting after only three minutes and added a second just after the hour mark. Substitute Adam Johnson made sure of the points in the 83rd minute before Defoe completed his treble four minutes from time. Wayne Rooney helped to set up all four goals.
Scotland failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage in their opener in Lithuania as Craig Levein's competitive debut as manager ended goalless.
Northern Ireland got off to a stunning start in their qualifying campaign by defeating World Cup finalists Slovenia 1-0 in Maribor, while Mirko Vucinic enhanced his growing reputation by firing Montenegro to a 1-0 win over Wales in their opening qualifier.
Keith Fahey's first senior international goal got the Republic of Ireland's qualifying campaign off to a winning start in a tight encounter which finished 1-0 in Armenia.
