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England Premier League

Chelsea International Watch: Blues Active in EURO 2012 Qualification

Stewart Flaherty, October 9 2011,
With no Premier League action this week, and Chelsea sitting third in the league table the club sent numerous players away to represent their national teams.
Juan Mata scored past Chelsea teammate Petr Cech in a 2-0 win for Spain over the Czech Republic.
Juan Mata scored past Chelsea teammate Petr Cech in a 2-0 win for Spain over the Czech Republic.
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The Blues were particularly active in the closing stages of EURO 2012 Qualification, and here we give you the headline performers over this weekend.

CZECH REPUBLIC 0-2 SPAIN

The Czech Republic find themselves in a tight battle with Scotland for second place in Group I and a subsequent qualifying playoff.

The Czechs fell to a 2-0 home defeat against Spain on Friday with Petr Cech starting in goal, and as a result fell to third place in the group one point behind the Scots.

Chelsea goalkeeper Cech will be a key figure for the Czechs who now need a result in Lithuania to have a chance of overtaking Scotland.

Cech played well despite conceding two goals, and it was two of his Chelsea teammates among the tormentors.

In-form midfielder Juan Mata slid the ball past Cech for a 7th minute opener, before Fernando Torres played a part in the buildup to David Silva’s second goal that sealed a 2-0 win for the Spanish.

Mata and Torres can give Cech a helping hand in their final qualifying game on Tuesday. The Spanish have already sealed automatic qualification, and if they beat Scotland on Tuesday then a point for the Czech Republic against Lithuania will hand them second place.

SERBIA 1-1 ITALY

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic played a key role as Serbia drew 1-1 with Group C leaders Italy.

Claudio Marchisio gave Italy an early lead, before Ivanovic hit back by deflecting home a Zoran Tosic shot. Ivanovic then played a key role as Serbia shut down the Italian attack to earn a share of the points.

Serbia must now beat Slovenia in their final qualifying game on Tuesday to seal a qualifying playoff.

MONTENEGRO 2-2 ENGLAND

John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard all featured for England as the Three Lions sealed EURO 2012 qualification with a 2-2 draw in Montenegro.

Captain Terry and Cole started for England, while Lampard came off the bench for the last 25 minutes. England started well and cruised into a 2-0 lead, but conceded in the final minute of the first half.

The Three Lions then had a man sent off and Terry and Cole found themselves under a lot of pressure before finally conceding an injury time equalizer.

FRANCE 3-0 ALBANIA

Chelsea winger played a key role as France remained top of Group D with a comfortable 3-0 win over Albania in Paris.

Malouda opened the scoring in the 11th minute when he fired home a Loic Remy cutback. Malouda then played well as France continued to dominate in a convincing victory.

France need a win or draw in Tuesday’s showdown against second placed Bosnia and Herzegovina to seal automatic qualification.

PORTUGAL 5-3 ICELAND

Raul Meireles started in central midfield for Portugal as they remained top of Group H with a wild 5-3 victory over Iceland.

Meireles was subbed out after an hour after helping Portugal build a 3-1 lead. The game continued in end to end fashion and Portugal clinched a 5-3 win.

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