Substitute Darijo Srna scored one and made another as Croatia came from behind to claim a 2-1 win and a vital three points against 10-man FYR Macedonia.

Barcelona showed no sign of nerves to dismiss Werder Bremen 2-0 in their must-win final Champions League Group A match tonight.

Julio Cruz scored twice in the opening nine minutes as Inter Milan beat Spartak Moscow 2-1 at the San Siro – their first victory in Group B tonight.

Alexander Kerzhakov bagged a brace as Russia kept alive their slim hopes of qualification for the 2006 World Cup with victory over Group 3 minnows Liechtenstein.

Don Givens criticised his under-21 players for a “below--par” performance after they slumped to a disappointing defeat in their opening European Championship qualifier here this afternoon.

Two goals in the space of two minutes put an early dent in the Republic of Ireland’s hopes of reaching the 2004 Under-21 European Championship finals in Portugal.