Rooney brace fires England

WAYNE ROONEY hit the goal trail once more as England took a significant stride towards Euro 2012 with an impressive 3-0 win over Bulgaria in Sofia last night.

The hosts had no answer to a three-goal first-half salvo that means four points from their final two games will book England a ticket to next summer’s finals in Poland and Ukraine.

And Rooney will approach Tuesday’s Wembley meeting with Wales in fine fettle, grabbing a brace after Gary Cahill’s well-taken opener to end a barren run that had brought him just one goal in his previous 15 appearances prior to kick-off.

In the same group goals from Steve Morison and captain Aaron Ramsey gave Wales a 2—1 win over Montenegro.

Elsewhere Brian Kerr’s Faroe Islands lost 1-0 to Italy. Antonio Cassano scored the only goal of the night as Italy moved a step closer to qualifying for the 2012 European Championships.

Cassano struck in the 11th minute in Torshavn as the Azzurri remained unbeaten in Group C.

The hosts were unlucky not to equalise in the 71st minute when Christian Holst’s effort rebounded off the crossbar with Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon beaten.

Elsewhere a horror back-pass from Steven Davis condemned Northern Ireland to defeat at the hands of Serbia and dealt their Euro 2012 hopes a grave blow.

With the score locked at 0-0 and Nigel Worthington’s side finally starting to get on top after their opponents had dominated the first period, the Rangers midfielder gifted Marko Pantelic a 67th-minute goal.

The goal handed Serbia three points and pole position in the battle for second place in Group C.

Elsewhere the Netherlands beat San Marino 11-0 as they moved to the brink of Euro 2012 qualification.

Robin van Persie made the most of his break from Arsenal’s early-season struggles, scoring four goals, and Wesley Sneijder and Klaas Jan Huntelaar added two each.

John Heitinga, Dirk Kuyt and Georgino Wijnaldum were also on target as Group E minnows San Marino’s goal difference slipped to -44 after eight games.

It was also a good night for Germany, as they qualified for Euro 2012 in style with an emphatic 6-2 win over Austria which could well spell the end of Dietmar Constantini’s reign as Austria’s coach.

Germany raced into a three-goal lead within 28 minutes with Miroslav Klose, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski all on target.

Marko Arnautovic pulled a goal back for Austria just before the break, but Ozil made it four just after the interval.

Martin Harnik again reduced the arrears, but further goals from Andre Schurrle and Mario Gotze completed the rout.

Meanwhile Hungary drew level on points with second-placed Sweden in Group E after snatching a late winner over the Scandinavian side in their qualifier in Budapest last night.

The clash had looked set to finish in a draw after Christian Wilhelmsson’s 60th-minute goal cancelled out Imre Szabics’ opener for Hungary just before half-time.

However, there was to be a late twist as Hungary claimed the points when Gergely Rudolf netted a 90th-minute clincher.

Elsewhere Group F leaders Greece maintained their unbeaten record in qualifying as Sotiris Ninis’ goal on the hour secured a 1-0 victory over Israel in Tel Aviv.

Croatia kept themselves just a point behind Greece with a routine 3-1 win in Malta.