Les Bleus labour to victory over lowly Luxembourg

THE return of Patrice Evra and Franck Ribery failed to inspire France as, for the second time in their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, they laboured to a 2-0 win over Luxembourg in Group D.

Evra and Ribery were back in the team for the first time since their misdeeds at the World Cup contributed to their side’s humiliating first-round exit.

But the result with the pair in the team was the same as the result without them as goals from Philippe Mexes and Yoann Gourcuff saw them to a 2-0 win. But just as when the sides met in France in October, it what was a struggle for Les Bleus from start to finish.

Spain’s David Villa struck twice as the reigning world and European champions came from a goal down to beat the Czech Republic in Group I.

Jaroslav Plasil has given the away side a shock 1-0 lead on 29 minutes.

Northern Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualification hopes took a heavy blow in Belgrade as they conceded twice in the second-half to surrender a hard-earned lead against Group C rivals Serbia, going down 2-1.

Only some brave last-ditch defending stopped them going behind but when Gareth McAuley rose to head home Chris Brunt’s cross in the 40th minute, a famous victory looked on the cards.

But Serbia, playing in the near-deserted Crvena Zvezda Stadium as a result of crowd trouble against Italy, hit back through Marko Pantelic before Zoran Tosic drilled in the winner via a slight deflection.

Italy took full control of Group C with a 1-0 win over Slovenia as Brazilian-born midfielder Thiago Motta scored his first goal for the Azzurri.

The Inter Milan stalwart found the target with an angled shot in the 73rd minute of a match in which Italy threatened throughout.

The result moves the Italians six points clear of Slovenia and Serbia at the top.

In Group E, Holland turned on the style as they cruised past Hungary 4-0 in Budapest. Tottenham playmaker Rafael van der Vaart gave the visitors an early lead and Ibrahim Afellay’s goal shortly before half-time ensured the scoreline reflected Dutch dominance.

Second-half goals for Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt and Arsenal’s Robin van Persie ensured the Oranje moved six points clear in Group E.

In Group A, Belgium gave their Euro 2012 qualification campaign a huge boost with a much-needed and convincing 2-0 victory over Austria in Vienna.

Having collected only four points from their opening four games, Belgium needed a big performance against a team which started the night second in Group A. And they got what they were looking for as Axel Witsel scored early in each half.

The win moves Belgium level with the hosts on seven points, although Austria still have a game in hand.