At 0:00 am Beijing time on November 19, several matches of the 2010 World Cup playoff were held. In the second round of the European zone, France tied Ireland 1-1 at home in extra time and advanced with a total score of 2-1. Portugal won Bosnia and Herzegovina again 1-0 away. Greece defeated Ukraine 1-0 away. Slovenia defeated Russia 1-0 at home and advanced by more away goals. In the African zone, Algeria defeated Egypt 1-0 and advanced. In the American zone, Uruguay tied Costa Rica 1-1 at home and advanced with a total score of 2-1. Finally, France, Portugal, Slovenia, Greece, Algeria, and Uruguay made it to the final circle of the World Cup.
France tied Ireland 1-1 at home. France had won the first match 1-0. President Sarkozy also came to Stade de France to watch the game. Escudé was injured around his eye socket by Evra's elbow strike when competing for heading in the backfield and bled non-stop. Squillaci substituted him. At the 10th minute, Gourcuff and Anelka passed consecutively, and Henry's pass-shot in the right area was blocked. At the 13th minute, Lassana Diarra's overhead kick from outside the penalty area went high. At the 20th minute, Henry's free kick from the left side was headed by Squillaci from 10 yards out but went high. At the 24th minute, Lawrence headed to Robbie Keane, and Lloris timely rushed out to slap the ball away.
Subsequently, Lawrence crossed from the right wing, and Doyle's header from close range deviated from the far post. Ireland took the lead at the 33rd minute, Duff returned the pass near the baseline on the left side of the penalty area, and Robbie Keane unmarked pushed the ball into the lower right corner from 10 yards out (click to watch the goal video). Gourcuff's free kick from 30 yards out went high. Subsequently, Sagna passed back from the right wing, and Anelka's shot was blocked out of the baseline. And Anelka's pass was missed by Gignac. In the stoppage time of the first half, Anelka's low shot from the edge of the penalty area was caught by Given.
At the 47th minute, Lawrence crossed from the left wing, O'Shea stopped the ball with his chest far out and shot narrowly high. Subsequently, Robbie Keane crossed from the left wing, Evra cleared before Lawrence, France launched a quick counterattack, but Gignac's pass-shot deviated. At the 54th minute, Evra passed, Anelka's powerful shot from 25 yards out was caught by Given. Subsequently, Govou replaced Gignac. Ireland nearly scored again at the 61st minute, Lassana Diarra was robbed in the midfield, and Duff's one-on-one shot from outside the penalty area was saved by Lloris.
Henry also had a chance, but his small angle shot from the right side of the penalty area was jointly blocked by Dunne and Given. At the 72nd minute, Sagna deceived Duff and crossed, but Anelka's header from close range deviated. One minute later, Robbie Keane bypassed Lloris, but the ball was slightly large and he missed the chance to shoot at an open goal. At the 88th minute, Malouda replaced Gourcuff who performed poorly. In the stoppage time, Lassana Diarra's passing mistake troubled the defense again, Robbie Keane's shot from outside the penalty area deviated. Both sides tied in the total score and entered the extra time.
At the 94th minute, Anelka's long-range shot from 30 yards out narrowly deviated from the left post. At the 98th minute, Lassana Diarra passed straight, Anelka broke through in the right side of the penalty area and was pulled down by Given, but the referee did not give a penalty. At the 102nd minute, Govou's shot into the net in the right side of the penalty area was ruled offside beforehand and thus invalid. France controversially scored at the 103rd minute, Malouda's free kick was long-passed, Henry obviously used his left hand to stop the ball in the left side of the penalty area and poked it toward the goal, and Gallas headed the ball into the goal line (click to watch the goal video). Then Malouda won a free kick from 25 yards out, and Anelka's shot hit the wall and deviated. Finally, both sides tied 1-1, and France advanced with a total score of 2-1.
France starting lineup (4-3-3): 1-Lloris; 2-Sagna, 5-Gallas, 4-Escudé (9', 17-Squillaci), 13-Evra; 6-Lassana Diarra, 18-A-Diarra, 8-Gourcuff; 9-Anelka, 11-Gignac (57', 14-Govou), 12-Henry
Ireland starting lineup (4-4-2): 1-Given; 4-O'Shea (67', 13-McShane), 5-Dunne, 2-St Ledger, 11-Duff; 7-Lawrence (107', 12-McGeady), 8-Andrews, 6-Whelan (64', 15-Gibbs), 3-Kilbane; 9-Doyle, 10-Robbie Keane (Click to watch the video highlights)
Portugal defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 away. At the 6th minute, Simao's corner kick was headed by Tiao and caught. Subsequently, Pepe and Nani's long shots all wildly deviated from the target. At the 15th minute, Bairamovic crossed, and Zenko headed over before Carvalho. Subsequently, Ibisevic's low shot from 20 yards out was also caught. Portugal nearly scored at the 24th minute, Tiao's heel cleverly passed to Mereles, but the latter's shot from 12 yards out was bravely blocked by Hasadic's leg. The subsequent game was fiercely contested, but neither side could get a chance.
At the 48th minute, Nani's small angle shot from the right side of the penalty area was also blocked by Hasadic's leg. Two minutes later, Pjanic's long shot narrowly deviated from the left post. Portugal took the lead at the 56th minute, Bosnia and Herzegovina's clearance error in the penalty area formed a 3-on-3 opportunity, Nani passed, and Mereles' low shot from 12 yards out into the lower left corner of the goal (click to watch the goal video). Bosnia and Herzegovina must score 3 goals to reverse and advance. Two minutes later, Simao returned the pass, Mereles' shot from outside the penalty area narrowly deviated. At the 67th minute, Ferreira cleared ahead of Zenko near the small area.
Mereles' shot in the right side of the penalty area deviated from the near corner. Pjanic's direct free kick from 35 yards out was dived and caught by Eduardo. At the 75th minute, Salihovic was red-carded directly for insulting the referee due to dissatisfaction with the decision. And the hard objects thrown by fans off the field also hit the assistant referee's right ear (click to watch the video). Subsequently, Ledson's shot from the left side of the penalty area was high. Deco replaced Simao. At the 81st minute, Zenko turned and shot from inside the penalty area, and the ball narrowly deviated from the left post. At the 88th minute, Bruno Alves nearly scored again using a free kick, but Hasadic caught the ball. Portugal advanced with a total score of 2-0 in two rounds.
Portugal starting lineup (4-3-3): 1-Eduardo; 3-Ferreira, 6-Carvalho, 2-Bruno Alves, 5-Duda; 15-Pepe, 16-Mereles, 8-Tiao; 11-Simao (80', 10-Deco), 17-Nani (73', 14-Eidinho), 9-Ledson (91', 7-Vieroso)
Slovenia defeated Russia 1-0 at home (click to watch the video highlights). At the 4th minute, Birs straight pass, Novakovic's shot was firmly caught by Akinfeev. At the 10th minute, Kirm's cross hit Ignashevich and deflected, then hit the post and bounced out. Subsequently, Novakovic crossed, Dedek's header was caught by Akinfeev. At the 44th minute, Birs crossed, Dedek poked the ball into the net. At the 67th minute, Zhirkov crossed, substitute Korzakov committed a foul while rushing to the ball, subsequently triggering a dispute between the two teams, and the Russian forward was red-carded. Zhirkov's overhead kick in the penalty area was caught by Handanovic. Dedek missed the chance to expand the score. Ignashevich shot narrowly high nearby. At the 90th minute, Zhirkov was sent off after accumulating two yellow cards. Novakovic missed a good chance at the last moment. Russia sadly exited due to fewer away goals.
Greece defeated Ukraine 1-0 away (click to watch the video highlights). At the 7th minute, Shevchenko shot high. Subsequently, Karagounis' free kick crossed, Samaras' header also deviated from the target. Ukraine midfielder Aliyev's free kick shot was caught. Greece took the lead at the 31st minute, Samaras passed straight, and Saripigidis shot low to break the deadlock (click to watch the goal video). Subsequently, Aliyev's free kick shot and Shevchenko's shot from the edge of the penalty area were consecutively caught. World Cup top scorer Yejas continuously missed the chance to expand the score. Timochuk shot high from outside the penalty area, and Seliznov's powerful shot was also caught. Greece entered the World Cup again after 1994.
Algeria defeated Egypt 1-0 (click to watch the video highlights). Algeria broke the deadlock at the 40th minute, Ziani chipped the pass, and Yehia, midfielder of Bochum, shot powerfully from a small angle into the net. The strict defense in the second half maintained the victory. Algeria entered the final circle again after the 1986 World Cup.
Uruguay tied Costa Rica 1-1 at home. At the 70th minute, Uruguayan forward Abru headed the ball into the net. Costa Rica equalized at the 74th minute, Saborio passed, and 35-year-old Senteno powerfully shot into the net. Uruguay advanced with a total score of 2-1. (Sco) Related theme articles: Friendly match - Germany almost reversed, drew 2-2 with Ivory Coast at home, Netherlands drew. The World Cup draw will be held in two weeks, Portugal and Netherlands may create a group of death. Friendly match - Villa scored twice, Fabregas' goal helped Spain win 5-1. Henry's God's hand triggered national disdain, France least deserved to advance among the 32 qualifiers. Playoff - France advanced in extra time, Portugal qualified, Russia and Egypt eliminated.