Germany picked up their obligatory group win over Gibraltar but the expected flurry of goals failed to arrive as they only managed to score four without reply in Nuremberg.

Croatia 2 Wales 0

MARK HUGHES hailed Manchester City’s “excellent” night after their 2-0 UEFA Cup victory at Schalke put them into the knockout stages.

ROBBIE KEANE handed boss Giovanni Trapattoni a precious victory in his first competitive game on home soil as the Republic of Ireland gained revenge over Cyprus at Croke Park last night.

BEFORE kick-off against the Faroe Islands in Basel on Saturday they were Switzerland’s odd couple, a patchwork partnership put together at short notice.