FCBARCELONA.CAT

29.03.2007 11:50

Iniesta and Gio on target

Spain and Holland both won their internationals against Iceland and Slovenia respectively on Wednesday evening, thanks to goals from Barça’s Iniesta and Gio. The rest of our international stars also acquitted themselves well.

Iniesta, Xavi and Puyol all turned out for the Spanish team that beat Eidur Gudjohnsen’s Iceland 1-0 in what could be a vital match in Group F of the European Championship qualifying stage. In fact, Gudjohnsen was the only Barca player not to finish on the winning side in the midweek internationals as Zambrotta, Gio, Thuram and Márquez, together with the Spanish internationals, all came out on top.

Spain 1, – Iceland, 0

Spain took the three points and got themselves back in contention for qualification from Group F thanks, above all, to a goal from Andrés Iniesta in the 78th minute. A total of four Barça players were involved in the match - Xavi, Puyol and Iniesta (Spain) and Gudjohnsen (Iceland).

Slovenia, 0 – Holland, 1

Gio Van Bronkhorst’s late goal gave Marco Van Basten’s team the three points in Slovenia which leaves the Dutch top of their group, three points clear of nearest rivals Rumania.

Italy, 2 – Scotland, 0

Gianluca Zambrotta played the full 90 minutes in Italy’s win over Scotland in Bari. Two goals from Luca Toni boosted the Italians chances of making the finals next summer.

France, 1 – Austria, 0

The French were the only team without a European Championship game in group B and coach Raymond Doménech took the opportunity to blood some of his younger players in the friendly against Austria. A goal from Benzema gave France the win, with Thuram playing in central defence for the first 45 minutes.

Mexico, 4 – Ecuador, 2

Barça star Rafa Márquez spurred his Mexican team-mates to a great fight back against Ecuador, scoring the team’s second to make it 2-2 on 73 minutes before leading them to a thrilling 42 win in the last minutes of the match.