Republic of Ireland 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina (3-1 agg)
A Jonathan Walters double cements Ireland a place in the Euro’s next year. Ciaran Clark took charge once again in defence, and him and his teammates’ work, paid off with a huge victory for their country. Ireland were under pressure for sometime, and Ireland’s defence did a brilliant job of halting Bosnia’s attacking threat, and Ciaran Clark and Richard Keogh played a huge role for Ireland to get over the line, and they now will be heading to France, for next years’ UEFA European Championships.
Trinidad and Tobago 0-0 USA
Brad Guzan was an unused sub for USA as they were held to a 0-0 draw against Trinidad and Tobago.
Colombia 0-1 Argentina
Argentina finally found their first win of the World Cup qualifying stages, as they beat Carlos Sanchez’s country, Colombia. Although, Sanchez did not feature, as he was suspended for the number of yellow cards he has received.
Colombia threatened early on, but Argentina grew into the game, and Ezequiel Lavezzi’s superb run, allowed a simple tap-in for teammate Lucas Biglia, who plays for Lazio, in midfield. Colombia failed to hit back, and as a result, lost the game. Colombia now stand in the bottom half of the South American group, and will need to improve if they are to have a chance of qualifying.
Ghana 2-0 Comoros (2-0 agg)
Ghana finally broke the Comoros defence in the second leg of this World Cup qualifier, as Mubarak Wakaso and Villa’s Jordan Ayew were on the scoresheet.
If it wasn’t for Ghanian midfielder Wakaso scoring a fine free-kick in the first-half, this could have edged Comoros’s way, as they gave Ghana a few scares throughout the game. It didn’t help Ghana when they were forced to make two substitutes with Solomon Asante and Jonathan Mensah being forced to come off through injury.
It was nervy times for Ghana in the second half, because although they dominated most of the possession, they lacked creativity, but Aston Villa’s forward was the difference late on in the second half, as before doubling Ghana’s lead he rattled the post, but then struck a brilliant finish into the top corner, five minutes from time. The ball dropped into the box, and Ayew took it down and turned towards goal beautifully, before smashing it into the top corner. The Villans will be hoping he can continue his goalscoring form by adding another at the weekend, against Everton.
Burkina Faso 2-0 Benin (3-1 agg)
Rudy Gestede’s country Benin have been knocked out of the World Cup qualifying stage, as they lost 3-1 on aggregate. Rudy Gestede picked up a knock in the first leg, and that forced him out of the second leg too. Unfortunately, his side failed to get the job done in the second leg.
Rudy Gestede will undergo a late fitness test for the game on Saturday for the Villans, when they return to the Premier League.
Senegal 3-0 Madagascar (5-2 agg)
Senegal avoided a shock defeat, after beating underdogs Madagascar 3-0 back in the second leg. Idrissa Gana Gueye who represents Senegal, once again played the full 90 minutes for his country. Gana, who plays in midfield for Aston Villa, stood out for Senegal in the defensive midfield position on Tuesday, in the second leg. Gana also led a number of counterattacks as well as some key interceptions in the victory for Senegal.
With this victory for Senegal, they will now be one of 20 countries to compete in the third round of the Africa section, where the teams will be split into five groups, with the winner of each advancing to the finals, in Russia.
