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00:00.
00:03Keen to give Thomas Tuchel an impeccable start in the European qualifiers,
00:07England aimed to complete back-to-back Group K wins at home to Latvia.
00:13Vying for pole position in Group G, Poland wanted the same in Warsaw,
00:18where Malta were trying to get off the mark.
00:21While the early Group H frontrunners met in Zenica,
00:24Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted Cyprus, both looking to edge ahead.
00:30We begin at Wembley, where England's new coach was already setting high standards.
00:39The team had to do better, was Tuchel's message,
00:42despite beating Albania with some comfort in his first match in charge.
00:47Now for Latvia, who'd beaten Andorra on match day one.
00:51Commentary from Simon Brotherton.
00:54Thomas Tuchel's made four changes to the England side,
00:57with Rhys James making his first start for the national team in two and a half years,
01:01and Mark Gay restored to central defence.
01:04Morgan Rogers gets a chance to show what he can do,
01:06making his first start as he wins a fourth cap.
01:09And Jared Bowen plays on the right instead of Phil Foden.
01:12Kyle Walker, Dan Byrne and Curtis Jones also drop to the bench.
01:1518-year-old Myles Lewis Skelly, who scored on his debut, keeps his place at left back.
01:24Latvia's head coach Paolo Nicolato makes just one change from Friday's winning line-up away to Andorra.
01:30Albus Jarnsams, who's based in Poland, comes into midfield at the expense of Denis Milniks.
01:36Andres Siganics makes his 53rd consecutive international appearance on the left-hand side.
01:42Daniels Balodis is based in the UK after a winter move to St. Johnston in the Scottish Premiership.
01:48And striker Vladislav Skutkovskis plays in the K-League in Korea.
01:52One, two, three, four, England!
02:08Pickford getting in a spot of bother, and there was suddenly an opportunity there for Vladislav Skutkovskis.
02:14Gaye and Pickford getting in a bit of a mess, the ball coming off Mark Gaye's boot,
02:20and suddenly there was a chance, and there won't be many of those.
02:31Jude Bellingham.
02:32Rashford about to have another go at Savalniks.
02:38Oh, and Savalniks with a challenge, England won the penalty.
02:41Referee Grinfield says no.
02:46And play carries on, and Bellingham goes to ground, it's England's ball.
02:50Referee, I think, will say, yeah, let's just hang on a little bit to make sure here.
02:54Rashford into the box, Savalniks with a challenge.
02:57England quick to appeal.
03:00Officials say no, and the match continues.
03:07Here's Bellingham.
03:08And Rhys James, Rodgers, away from Siganix.
03:18It's Morgan Rodgers with a delivery, and it's headed behind for a corner.
03:26Suddenly opened up there.
03:27Shona Mordis keeping a close eye on Kane, the header from Bellingham.
03:34The shot!
03:36And it goes just over the top, and Esri Konsa was so close there
03:42to a first England goal.
03:45Point-blank save made by Zvidris.
03:48Rice.
03:49Rodgers away to Bowen.
03:51Lovely little flicked ball there from Rodgers, who collects it in return and finds Rhys James.
04:07That's a really good play.
04:08Kane with a header!
04:09Getting closer.
04:10Lovely play.
04:11On the right-hand side, and a pinpoint delivery from Rhys James onto the head of Harry Kane.
04:19Here is Skelly.
04:23It's quite a defensive shield put up by Latvia, as it's sent in by Marcus Rashford.
04:34Bowen falls over the goalkeeper, comes back out.
04:37Morgan Rodgers sees his effort blocked.
04:42Bellingham going up with the goalkeeper, who couldn't quite get his paws on it.
04:46And then, in trying to gather the ball, Bowen ends up on the floor.
04:51And they are checking for a potential penalty for the challenge by the goalkeeper.
04:57The check is over, and the game will continue.
05:06Konsa leaving it for Declan Rice.
05:10Here's James.
05:12Rodgers always available nearby.
05:16Free kick.
05:17Challenge.
05:20Too heavy and clumsy from Vladislav Skudkovskis.
05:28Desperate to make that breakthrough as Rhys James fires it in!
05:32With great style for a wonderful goal!
05:35Back in the starting eleven for the national team for the first time in two and a half years.
05:44And he celebrates by scoring his first ever international goal.
05:49That was brilliant!
05:52Up and over the wall and into the corner.
05:56And at last, England make the breakthrough.
06:00With a little over six minutes to go to half-time.
06:02It is perfectly placed.
06:05Just look how close it was to the corner of the net.
06:09Just what he and the vast majority of the people inside the stadium needed.
06:14Bellingham finds Bowen.
06:25Time for one last chance perhaps before the break as Bowen looks for Morgan Rodgers who brings the save.
06:32From Zydris.
06:33And it was the last opportunity in the first half.
06:37And it nearly produced a second goal.
06:39It was a lovely little flick there from Morgan Rodgers.
06:42Concer.
06:50Acknowledges the run made ahead of him by Bellingham who now collects.
06:55It's in with Harry Kane who shoots wide.
07:02Now it's Lewis Skelly with the ball into Bellingham who picked out Kane.
07:07Who for a moment there couldn't quite believe that he hadn't scored.
07:10Here's Rodgers.
07:23Looks for the runner of Declan Rice.
07:26Shouts at the far post.
07:28And Harry Kane doesn't miss those.
07:31It's taken a while.
07:33But England finally have a goal from open play.
07:36And a second goal on the night.
07:39Midway through the second half.
07:41And Harry Kane just as he did on Friday in the opening World Cup qualifier against Albania.
07:47Scores England's second goal once more.
07:50Rodgers.
07:52Rice.
07:54Kane.
07:56Nicely worked.
07:57And finally Latvia's solid wall of a defence is beaten.
08:02Foden.
08:07Foden.
08:11Moving from back to front more quickly now into Eza.
08:14And still Eza.
08:15And still Ebera Eza.
08:17Brilliant and gets the deflection.
08:19It's a third goal.
08:21Created by and scored by Ebera Eza.
08:24And just like Rhys James in the first half, he celebrates her first England goal.
08:32He's onside by a mile.
08:36Great play by Ebera Eze.
08:41And the shot taking a deflection on the way in.
08:48Off.
08:50Antonis Turnamordis.
08:52And Latvia finding themselves 3-0 down.
08:55Here's Morgan Rodgers having a run at Siganix and still going here.
09:10Rodgers who wants a goal and he nearly got it.
09:13Terrific save.
09:15From Krishanis Zvidris, the goalkeeper.
09:19This is an excellent effort from Morgan Rodgers.
09:21England get the job done.
09:24Six points out of six.
09:26Third home game in a row with a clean sheet.
09:28Two wins out of two for Thomas Tuchel.
09:31England have beaten Latvia at Wembley by three goals to nil.
09:41After losing in London,
09:43Albania returned home to Tirana for a good opportunity to get their campaign up and running.
09:47Opponents Andorra were winless in their last 16 competitive matches.
09:52A run stretching back two and a half years.
09:55Let's join Phil Black.
10:00Albania make four alterations to the side beaten in England three days ago.
10:04Notably there's a debut for Julian Shehu who replaces Ramadani in midfield.
10:08The other changes come in the front three.
10:11The fit again, Armando Breuer.
10:13Starts for Albania for the first time since last summer's Euro.
10:16Ray Manai is recalled as well as Yasser Asani and Murtu Azouni make way.
10:20Whilst Abba Hodja is preferred to Nadim Bayrami on the left.
10:24Andorra make four changes as well from their home loss to Latvia on match day one.
10:32The experienced Moises San Nicolas returns to the starting line-up at centre-back.
10:36And takes over the captain's armband.
10:38Mark Reves makes the first start since June of last year.
10:41Of course Jesus Rupio and Mark Garcia are recalled as well.
10:44Andorra in their change colours tonight, all in the yellow.
10:50Arriving off the back of that slender loss to Latvia.
10:54And he did push for a point late in the game.
10:57Conceded the only goal just before the hour.
11:00Three in red, awaiting in the penalty area.
11:04Didn't get that far, the ball in from Breuer.
11:08Making his way back from an injury-interrupted season.
11:11That's the first half of it with an Achilles problem.
11:15Only just back from an ankle injury as well.
11:17He's only started twice in the Premier League for Everton all season.
11:20All loan from Chelsea.
11:25As the corner comes in.
11:27Only partially cleared and...
11:29And it actually struck a Yeti.
11:33Still the danger.
11:36That one always too high.
11:41Aslani couldn't quite capitalise when it came back his way.
11:46That was the shot from Latsi.
11:48And that struck his centre-back Arlinda Yeti.
11:50And the follow-up from Aslani.
11:53Never troubling the target.
11:54Aslani.
11:56Aslani.
11:57Aslani.
11:58Aslani.
11:59Aslani.
12:00And Aliu.
12:02Lefting it forward threateningly for Breuer.
12:04Starting in that slightly wider role.
12:06As we anticipated on the right.
12:08Here he is again.
12:10And he's seen plenty of it early on.
12:12And enforcing a free-kick.
12:13Aslani.
12:17And Servos who brought him down from behind.
12:20Aslani assuming the responsibility.
12:23For delivering.
12:25And does so with Mendes and it's in.
12:27Ray Manai.
12:29Rising to head.
12:31Albania ahead already.
12:33As showed over eight minutes.
12:35And they're in front.
12:37And Manai is on the score sheet on his return to the starting line-up.
12:40All about the delivery really though from Christian Aslani.
12:46And just the start that Silvino was hoping for.
12:50His side scored their first goal of this qualifying group.
12:54Goal into which Ray Manai has scored already early on.
12:57Making plenty of noise.
12:59I'm hoping for them recently has dips and won.
13:02They haven't won any of the last three here.
13:04Albania.
13:06But they could be in this time.
13:07Down by Breuer.
13:08Still in there.
13:09And Manai scores again.
13:11It's another emphatic finish.
13:14And it's 2-0 Albania.
13:16Made by Armando Breuer.
13:18Scored by Ray Manai.
13:20He has two in a little over ten minutes.
13:23Breuer stayed onside.
13:25When that was launched in his direction and then got goalside.
13:29Unsung fish as he cut it back from the byline.
13:31It was a relatively straightforward pass that he was able then to pick for Ray Manai in space.
13:38Who did the rest.
13:40In off the bar.
13:41To double the lead.
13:42In something of a state of flux with some new younger players brought into the squad by Caldo Alvarez for this campaign.
13:55Although generally in terms of tonight's starting line-up.
13:58He has turned back towards the more experienced heads.
14:00They freshen it up later.
14:02No changes by either side at the interval.
14:05But Albania back on the ball.
14:07Ray Manai back on the ball here in search of his hat-trick.
14:10And he was always going to take that on.
14:12Ballyu, who'd found him, just teased it into his path.
14:16A couple of touches to try and set himself up.
14:19That was always just missing the pace, this one from Manai.
14:24Jim Siti asking Alihi to chase it and he'll reach it.
14:27Malachi.
14:32He's going to take it on.
14:36And straight through to Ike Alvarez.
14:41Thought on his mind really when that ball came his way.
14:45Pretty comfortable for Alvarez.
14:51It would be some story, wouldn't it, if the Brazilian, whose current contract runs until the end of this qualifying campaign,
14:56at the end of the year.
14:58It was to take Albania to their first World Cup.
15:05Merto Azouni will reach it first, delivers it first time.
15:09And it wasn't dealt with, and then flashed wide by Payaziti.
15:13He nearly profited from that, after some good work from Azouni.
15:19He was also alert to the opportunity.
15:22Bent his run, stayed onside.
15:24Reflected into the path of Payaziti, and it was turned wide.
15:28There was a touch there from Ike Alvarez.
15:30And another good game, hasn't he, Aslani, as that one is whipped in towards Mane.
15:47And then turned in for the third.
15:48But that does rather more accurately reflect their dominance now.
15:56Azouni in front of goal.
15:58Has wrapped it up right at the end, off the bench to surely have the final say.
16:03A late goal to go with a two that they scored early.
16:06Full time in Tirana.
16:07Albania 3, Andorra 0.
16:13Albania move into second in Group K, and they'll be Serbia's first opponents on Matchday 3.
16:20England three points ahead at this early stage.
16:25To Group G next, with Poland determined to show no mercy,
16:29as they hosted Malta for the first time since a 6-0 success in 1981.
16:37In Group G, Poland had needed a late deflected goal from Robert Lewandowski to beat Lithuania on Matchday 1.
16:53They were hoping for a less stressful evening against Malta,
16:57who'd had a man sent off in losing narrowly to Finland.
17:00Commentary comes from Joe Speight.
17:02This is the Poland team in full.
17:06Lukas Grodowski in goal.
17:08Bednarek at the heart of that defensive line.
17:10A change at wing-back where Jakub Kaminski comes in for Mati Cash.
17:14A change in midfield too, where Mateusz Bogusz comes in for his fourth cap.
17:18And up front, with Lewandowski on the bench, is Christoph Piontek.
17:22He partners Karol Spiderski.
17:24Piontek's been in rampant goal-scoring form playing in Turkey so far this season.
17:29As for Malta, just one change in their Matchday 1 match against Finland.
17:36And that comes in defence. Kurt Shaw suspended. He was sent off in that game.
17:40So Enrico Pepe comes in to play alongside Zach Muscat and James Carriger.
17:45A front two named by the coach Emiliano Deleu, of Elias Shouanev and Paul Mbong.
17:53Mbong, one of two brothers who start in this team for Malta tonight, along with Joseph Mbong, who plays as the right wing-back.
17:59Can Pobin make it two wins and two to start off their campaign as they aim to reach the World Cup next year?
18:09This is Jakub Kaminski from Pobin. Nice feed by him. It's a lovely run!
18:14And it was first big chance there for the home side.
18:22Terrific football here.
18:24Jakub Kaminski on to his right foot.
18:27Terrific step-overs.
18:29The shot was always veering away.
18:31Mbogovski on the bench for Pobin tonight.
18:38Had a wonderful campaign play for Barcelona, their top scorer.
18:4335 goals so far this campaign for them.
18:47Malta come here with limited expectations.
18:49They've only won seven European qualifiers in their entire history in over 200 games.
18:55They're on the attack here.
18:58A chance of shoot as well.
19:00Fault a save from Skorupski.
19:03While Malta with the first attempt on target tonight.
19:08Strong run it was.
19:10And a fierce hit too.
19:11And it required saving. It was bending.
19:14Skorupski almost...
19:16Just dived a bit too far there.
19:18Had to readjust to keep out Elias Shouanev.
19:21There's a mistake at the back from Malta.
19:24Could that be costly?
19:26Pobin could be in here.
19:28And the attempt was from Mateusz Bogusz.
19:30Well saved by Bonnevo.
19:33Pobin not done yet. Modder.
19:37Kaminski.
19:41Mateusz Bogusz, who plays in Mexico for Cruz-Athul.
19:44With the attempt there.
19:46Same with the right thigh of Bonnevo.
19:48There's Deleu, only a second game in charge at Malta.
19:52He was appointed two months ago.
19:55Nice give and go with Szymanski.
19:57Now Szymanski once again trying to find a way through there.
20:00With some neat footwork, but not to be.
20:03Strong tackle by Bednarek was a fair one.
20:05Bogusz, Szymanski.
20:07Frankowski.
20:11Frankowski.
20:12Piontek.
20:13Did well get that one across.
20:14And put in by Szymanski.
20:18Poland lead.
20:21Karol Szymanski's first goal been some nine caps.
20:25And without their record goal scorer.
20:29Poland have found a way here.
20:32Lewandowski on the bench tonight.
20:34But Szwiderski up there in the attack.
20:37And he couldn't miss that chance.
20:43Good ball there for Frankowski.
20:45He's got Piontek in the centre.
20:47Support arriving now from Szwiderski.
20:52Szymanski.
20:55Kaminsky.
20:57Szwiderski, first time!
21:00Would have been quite some goal, and it was well saved by Bonervo.
21:04Looked to be just dipping in.
21:10Szymanski.
21:12Bogusz.
21:16Frankowski.
21:17It's a really good ball in.
21:18It's trying out to be attacked.
21:19And Bonervo is there again.
21:23Also living dangerously there.
21:26Terrific ball in from Frankowski.
21:29So inviting.
21:39Szwiderski.
21:43White shirts moving forward here with Menes.
21:44Jakub Moder.
21:46Szwiderski.
21:47It's 2-0.
21:49Just after half-time.
21:51Poland double their lead.
21:54And Karol Szwiderski has scored both goals.
21:59Arrowed home superbly.
22:01With the master.
22:03Marksman watching on tonight.
22:06He's not been missed by Poland here.
22:07Karolik is born inside there, and it was cut off by Szymanski.
22:19Kaminsky.
22:23Moder.
22:25It's opened up for Moder.
22:26Parried by the goalkeeper.
22:28And then Szwiderski let fly.
22:32The gaps appear there in that Molesi's defense.
22:36Not made there by Moder.
22:41Jakub Moder.
22:42Into Lewandowski.
22:45Set back for Szymanski.
22:48Now Kas.
22:50Moder.
22:51It's a foul by Tumor.
22:56It's a foul by Tumor.
22:59Foul down on Lapukivio.
23:04Can they make this set-piece count?
23:06Find their third goal in by Szymanski.
23:08And it's saved by the goalkeeper.
23:10Bonero there was agile and got down well.
23:16Szymanski's ball in.
23:17Felt like it should have been cleared away fairly easily,
23:20but he was allowed to run.
23:27Lewandowski on first time.
23:29Szwiderski.
23:31Got two around him.
23:32And he's got support as well.
23:34And it was hit by Kiemanski,
23:35well saved by Bonero.
23:37And then Kas went in.
23:39Poland with a corner.
23:42Kaminsky could have had a hat-trick himself by now.
23:45Play the pass just there.
23:47And Bonero made a good save.
23:55Had to be a foul there.
23:56Yes, it was by Chiwaref,
23:57who's on a yellow card.
24:00He may well be going off here
24:01as we tick to all stop and shine.
24:04There's Chiwaref, the Maltese's number nine.
24:09Off goes Chiwaref then.
24:12And Malta will end the match with just ten players.
24:14High there on Fietzka.
24:20And there goes the full-time whistle.
24:23And it's a job very well done by Poland tonight.
24:26A two-goal win for them over Malta.
24:28And Poland are top of Group G after the first two rounds of games.
24:33Full-time in Warsaw.
24:35Poland two.
24:36Malta nil.
24:37Malta nil.
24:45After losing in Warsaw on match day one,
24:47Lithuania were in need of a big result at home to Finland
24:50to bring their campaign to life.
24:53The Finns were already off the mark in Group G,
24:56beating Malta to end a six-game losing streak.
24:59Watching this one was John Roder.
25:02There are three changes to the Lithuania team from the 11 that started the 1-0 defeat in Poland three days ago.
25:08Edwinis Gönvenis comes into defence.
25:10Gedrius Mateljevicius and Titus Milasius into midfield.
25:15Eustace Lasikas continues as captain.
25:18While if he comes on as a substitute,
25:20Fedor Cernic will make his 99th international appearance
25:24for a Lithuania side who have lost their last seven international matches.
25:32Three changes also for Finland.
25:33Robin Lod and Daniel Hakkens both came on as substitutes in Friday's 1-0 win in Malta.
25:39They start tonight, as does Glen Kamara.
25:42Oliver Antman scored the only goal as Finland took three points from their opening Group G match.
25:47Goalkeeper Lukas Radecki makes his 99th appearance for his country.
25:52All-time top scorer for Finland, Teemu Pukki, is again among the substitutes for the visitors.
26:03Goalkeeper Lukas Radecki makes it clear.
26:07Hackens, it's Daniel Hakkens still for Finland.
26:10Can it be finished? It's cleared off the line but the rebound is in.
26:14Karn Karenen!
26:18And Finland take the lead inside the opening few minutes.
26:24A very early goal for the visitors.
26:27And it all stemmed really from the run from Daniel Hakkens.
26:37For Jampalo, seeing his effort blocked on the line by Milacius.
26:44Well, that is a big blow for Lithuania.
26:51Good, Venus.
26:53Oh, that's a risky pass.
26:56Finland pick up, it's two against one.
26:59Good Venus with the challenge.
27:01And the referee says penalty.
27:04And it's a caution as well.
27:06And Venus Good Venus is booked.
27:10It's a dreadful pass.
27:12Good Venus looking to make amends.
27:15Diving in late.
27:17Very desperate challenge from him.
27:19Will they be celebrating a second goal in a few moments time?
27:30Paul Jampalo makes it 2-0.
27:34His first goal of the qualifying campaign is 17th in total for Finland.
27:40But Monas goes one way.
27:42The penalty is delivered into the other corner.
27:44It will just be kept in play by Titus Malasius.
27:55Kusis goes for goal.
27:57Pushed wide by Huredaki.
28:02Best opportunity of the night so far for Lithuania.
28:04How can Robin not get himself out of this position?
28:11No, he can't.
28:13Lithuania come forward.
28:15Dolznikov.
28:16Great chance.
28:17Kusis!
28:22Lithuania are right back in it.
28:23At the beginning.
28:25There is a VAR check going on at the moment.
28:28For a potential foul by a Lithuanian player leading up to the goal.
28:33That would have been the challenge on this near touchline.
28:36Certainly nothing wrong with the finish here.
28:39From Kusis.
28:43The goal's been given.
28:44The check has been completed.
28:45The goal's been completed.
28:55Suanen.
28:59Haken.
29:00Ackman.
29:05Some tasty challenges going in now.
29:06Servais, listen to the roar from the home support.
29:21Turn from Golubikas.
29:23Chance for the shot from distance.
29:25Oh, what a shot!
29:27What a brilliant, brilliant goal!
29:29Javides.
29:30Javides.
29:31Javides.
29:32Javides.
29:33Javides.
29:34Makes it 2-2.
29:39Look at where he picks that ball up.
29:43He's a long way out from goal.
29:45Central position.
29:46Perfectly placed.
29:48Past Radecki.
29:50It flies through the air.
29:53He flies through the air.
29:57He picks it up just ahead of the center circle.
30:01A couple of touches to bring that ball under control,
30:04and from then on he only had one idea.
30:07He executed it perfectly.
30:13Jurene.
30:23Pukki.
30:27Can't control.
30:29Kazakola Vass.
30:31Able to take it away from him.
30:33Cleared by Godvain.
30:34It's not too far, though.
30:35Pukki.
30:36Temu Pukki, can he dig that shot out?
30:39He can't. Pukki again.
30:41Driven into the middle.
30:43Pukki for a third time.
30:45Pukki.
30:51Keep going here.
30:55Twice blocked.
30:56And then high and over.
31:00A night of high drama in Group G.
31:03Finland, 2-0 in front,
31:05through Kerenin and Poyampalo's penalty.
31:09But Armando Kusis pulled a goal back for Lithuania
31:12late in the first half,
31:14an outstanding goal
31:16from Gavidas Kinetes.
31:18And Lithuania their first point
31:20in Group G.
31:23Finland move on to four points from two matches.
31:26Lithuania one point from their opening two games.
31:29It has finished Lithuania 2,
31:31Finland 2.
31:35Back-to-back wins for Poland.
31:37Two points clear at the top of Group G.
31:39Making the most of their matches
31:41before the Dutch enter the fray in June,
31:43heading to Finland, then playing host to Malta.
31:47Lifted by a victory in Bucharest,
31:49Bosnia and Herzegovina hope to build momentum
31:51at home to Cyprus in a battle to lead Group H.
31:55That's coming up.
32:07Bosnia and Herzegovina had had the perfect start to Group H.
32:11Victory in Romania, after going the whole of 2024,
32:15without winning at all.
32:17Opponent Cyprus also had three points,
32:19winning against San Marino.
32:21And they'd beaten the Bosnians the last time the two sides met.
32:25Your commentator for this one, Adam Somerton.
32:27Well, there's one change to the Bosnia-Herzegovina side
32:31that began the win over Romania.
32:33Edin Dzeko had to go off at half-time in that game through injury
32:36and is left on the bench tonight.
32:38Into the 11 comes Haris Jairudinovic,
32:41who earns his 14th cap.
32:43In Dzeko's absence, Atalanta's Sead Kolasinac captains the side.
32:47The match-winner in Bucharest, Armin Gigovic,
32:50is shaken off the injury he picked up in that match.
32:54Rohit Sagi from Norway is our referee.
32:57Four changes to the Cyprus side that began their win over San Marino.
33:01To the bench go, Anderson Correa, Panagiotou, Sotorio, Anjonis.
33:06Konstantinos Leifis, one of the squad's most experienced players,
33:10returns from a suspension.
33:12Ioannis Kosti makes his first senior international start since 2020,
33:17and there are also recalls for Kakoulis and Malikidis.
33:25Tahirovic, who I thought was really good in the win over Romania,
33:28one of his team's better players.
33:31Dedic was calling for it in the box.
33:33It's a great ball to try and pick him out as well.
33:36That's the first chance of the game.
33:38Excellent movement by Dedic.
33:40He was certainly onside, wasn't he?
33:43He was just ever so slightly in front of him, wasn't it?
33:46Almost picked out perfectly by Jairodinovic,
33:49who's come into the side tonight.
33:52Malik.
33:53He's got a run off the ball there by Shunic, a nice turn by Jairodinovic.
34:02Malik with the cross, Demirovic with the header, and...
34:05Well, it'd be interesting to see that on the replay as to whether that would have snuck in,
34:10because it was such a difficult angle to get that on target.
34:14Demirovic really had to stoop as well.
34:16I think it might have taken a little deflection here, let's see.
34:21Yeah, it did.
34:22But maybe that would have just about snuck in.
34:25It's a good save by Mal.
34:26A 2-0 win over San Marino was the first game in charge for Manzios.
34:35Could have a chance here.
34:38It was a good opportunity, wasn't it?
34:40Set up by Pitas and the effort by Kakoulis.
34:45It's quite kept down.
34:48Got themselves into a great position there.
34:50Just leapt back a little bit, didn't he?
34:53But off the top of the bar it came.
34:58Setias with the throw-in.
35:01Kosti with the ball over, great ball, too!
35:05It's another chance that they've carved down.
35:07It was the same player at the back post.
35:09Not an easy finish for Kakoulis.
35:11It's a lovely ball, though, to try and pick him out.
35:13It was always stretching to get there.
35:20Dedic.
35:28That's the govina.
35:30Got the free kick.
35:31And Marseille player Amar Dedic with the drifting side here.
35:38Left by Tahidovic, floated in by Jardinovic,
35:41and turned in at the far post.
35:44That's a fantastic finish, isn't it?
35:46Edin Dzeko would have been proud of that.
35:49Scored by Dimirovic.
35:53Lovely delivery in there by Ardinovic,
35:55and he'd lost everybody at the far post, hadn't he?
35:58The Stuttgart striker, Dimirovic.
36:01But he's made that look a lot easier than it actually is,
36:05to tuck that into the far corner as he did there.
36:08So calmly, so precisely.
36:10Brilliant play.
36:12Bidas turned behind for a corner.
36:26But this is a good end to the half, this from Cyprus.
36:29It was Barasic who was desperately trying to block the cross,
36:32he couldn't.
36:33And then Radelic got in the way, took it in the face.
36:38So a chance right at the end of the first half here for Cyprus.
36:42Nervous whistles around the stadium.
36:44Oh, it's turned in!
36:47They have equalized right at the end of the half.
36:51It's Ioannis Pitas with the goal for Cyprus.
36:55The header initially was from Kusoulos,
36:58but then at the far post to turn it home.
37:01It was Pitas to get his ninth senior international goal.
37:05Both goals have come from set pieces in this first half.
37:10But you'd have to say...
37:12And the balance of the play in this first half,
37:15certainly if you look at the chances created,
37:17Cyprus deserved to be on terms, really.
37:24Nicely done by Bajda.
37:27Playing some good stuff at the moment.
37:29Bosnia-Herzegovina.
37:34Dedic.
37:35Clever ball.
37:38Bajda!
37:39Oh!
37:42And now it's in!
37:43And the pressure has paid off.
37:48He's had a good game as well.
37:49Ira Dinovic set up the first goal.
37:52Bajda played his part.
37:54Agonizingly close to getting a touch there.
37:56Dimirovic.
37:57But there was still a lot to do there.
38:01Ira Dinovic.
38:04Via the aid of a deflection.
38:07Puts Bosnia-Herzegovina in front.
38:10Pushed it away, the goalkeeper.
38:12But in came Ira Dinovic to thump it past him out.
38:17The corner for the home side.
38:18And another header, and it's off the post and pushed away.
38:33And Bajda hits it.
38:35What a let-off that is for Cyprus.
38:39But how close they came to a third there.
38:42Dimirovic off the post.
38:45And the goalkeeper just got there, didn't he?
38:48Before the big centre-back, Radelic.
38:50Dimirovic close to what would have been his second.
38:52Shunic, Dimirovic.
38:57It was a tired-looking ball there.
38:59Shunic has it back again quickly.
39:01And that's a good pass as well, and they're in again!
39:04Bajda sees his shot saved by Mal.
39:07Bajda with the ball in, but that was comfortable for the goalkeeper.
39:12Third there would surely have finished the game as a contest.
39:17Pitas just couldn't quite bring it down.
39:38There's a second yellow card here for Pitas.
39:42And it is now a red card for the player who scores Cyprus's goal.
39:49This is what it's for.
39:57Back-to-back victories for Bosnia-Herzegovina.
40:01Full-time, Bosnia-Herzegovina 2, Cyprus 1.
40:06Romania's opening defeat came as a shock for a team that impressed on route to promotion in the Nations League.
40:17They expected to get straight back on track in San Marino,
40:20with the hosts 172 places below them in the FIFA World Ranking.
40:25Commentary from Steven White.
40:27Well, two changes to the San Marino side beaten in Cyprus.
40:31Goalkeeper Eduardo Colombo struggled on with a knock during that game,
40:35but he's replaced tonight by a debutant, Pietro Amici.
40:39Ciacombo Benvenuti joins his twin brother Tommaso in the XI,
40:42having made a substitute appearance on Friday.
40:45Well, likewise, a pair of changes for Romania.
40:49One of them also comes in goal.
40:51Horacio Moldovan gets a first competitive cap in 16 months,
40:55replacing Florian Nietzsche with Florian Tanase injured.
40:59Giannis Haji makes just his second start for his nation since UEFA Euro 2024.
41:05Ratsvan Marin has six goals in his last seven appearances.
41:13Stanchu with the layoff.
41:17Andre Ratshu.
41:21Denis Mann.
41:24Good patient build-up.
41:26Banqiu across the face of goal,
41:27and it's been deflected in for an own goal.
41:31Off Cevalli.
41:32Romania in front inside six minutes.
41:37It was Banqiu's delivery that caused the confusion.
41:41Goalkeeper Pietro Amici seemed to suggest he had the situation under control.
41:47Giannis Haji, who was the player, who was the target of the cross.
41:51He wasn't required.
41:53Some misfortune for Cevalli as Romania in front.
41:57He wasn't required.
41:59Denis Mann.
42:00Preparing to deliver.
42:01What is the game's first corner?
42:03It's a good one.
42:06And was very close to a goal for Mihai Popescu.
42:10Ficious delivery.
42:11And Popescu, having got there,
42:13will feel he should have guided the header underneath the crossbar.
42:16Man with the disguise.
42:21Ratshvan.
42:22Marine.
42:23Gets the ball back.
42:25And then comes up with something creative.
42:28Charge for 2-0.
42:29Amici with the save, but he can't get to the rebound.
42:32And Romania lead 2-0.
42:35Almost unrelenting pressure since the opening goal has finally produced a second.
42:41Well, the Denis Mann disguise pass for Ratshvan Marine caused the initial confusion.
42:48And when it came back to Marine again, he had another plan for unlocking the San Miraneti defence.
42:57Man in there to assist, and despite Amici dealing with the first effort,
43:02Mihai Popescu, who made his debut on Friday night,
43:08can now also celebrate a first international goal.
43:16Mitrizza.
43:17For Denis Mann.
43:20Who goes down and wins a penalty.
43:25Tosi with the foul.
43:27Romania with a chance to make it 3-0.
43:30And a foot was left dangling as Mann looked to continue making progress.
43:38Ratshvan Marine for Romania.
43:41Calmly makes it 3-0.
43:43The expected outcome considering the form.
43:46He is in a seventh goal in his last eight international appearances.
43:52Ratshvan Marine delivers for Murcia Luchescu again.
44:02San Marino will need to defend this corner.
44:05Here's Mitrizza.
44:08Good delivery.
44:10Amici in the right place to make the save.
44:14Well, we've already had one central defender scoring tonight for Romania.
44:17Andrei Burka trying to do likewise.
44:20Nani helped on brilliantly.
44:30Chance for a goal.
44:31Taken.
44:32Samuel Ezerone.
44:33Something for San Marino to celebrate.
44:38His first international goal.
44:41Benvenuti with the throw.
44:46Helped on by Nani.
44:48Sensoli with the touch to tee up Zenoni.
44:51Who just had to steady himself before poking it beyond the reach of Moldevan.
44:56San Marino on the scoreboard to great delight.
45:00Mann.
45:01Dennis Mann.
45:02Wonderful run.
45:03Mann is in.
45:04And has failed to score but a foul in amongst all that has resulted in a penalty kick.
45:17And G4 Romania picks his spots and delivers a fourth goal.
45:29And re-establishes a three-goal advantage.
45:32Placed to perfection.
45:35Mann.
45:36Matrizza.
45:37And how has Ali Beck not scored?
45:38Look, set to be a fifth goal for Romania.
45:40And somehow, Dennis Ali Beck could find only the outside of the post.
45:42Haji.
45:43Matrizza.
45:44Matrizza.
45:45Matrizza.
45:46Matrizza.
45:47Matrizza.
45:48Matrizza.
45:49Matrizza.
45:50Matrizza.
45:51Matrizza.
45:52Matrizza.
45:53Matrizza.
45:54Matrizza.
45:55Matrizza.
45:56Matrizza.
45:57Matrizza.
45:58Matrizza.
45:59Matrizza.
46:00Matrizza.
46:01Matrizza.
46:02Matrizza.
46:03Matrizza.
46:04Matrizza.
46:05Matrizza.
46:06Matrizza.
46:07Matrizza.
46:08Matrizza.
46:09Matrizza.
46:10Matrizza.
46:11Matrizza.
46:12Matrizza.
46:12A goal, a reward for an excellent sweeping move.
46:17And Denis Alibeck has his first in international football since November of 2023.
46:25A final chance for those Romanian supporters to acclaim their team.
46:29An emphatic scoreline.
46:32Full-time at the San Marino Stadium in Cerevella.
46:34San Marino 1, Romania 5.
46:37So Romania move up to second, but it's Bosnia and Herzegovina who lead Group H with a perfect record so far.
46:48Austria will join the fray on Matchday 3.
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