The big story: England cruise past Scotland

England thrashed Scotland 3-0 in their World Cup qualifier match at Wembley on Friday. It was Scotland who got off to a good start, pegging England back with a series of attacks early on. However, there was no looking back for the home side after taking the lead through Daniel Sturridge, who headed home a Kyle Walker cross.

The in-form Adam Lallana doubled England’s lead five minutes after the halftime break, latching on to a Danny Rose cross. Gary Cahill got a third at the hour mark, thumping in a Wayne Rooney corner. However, the England defender was booked minutes later and will miss his next international assignment through suspension.

Other top stories

  1. There were disgraceful scenes at the National Arena in Bucharest after the Poland-Romania World Cup 2018 qualifier was suspended because of crowd trouble. Poland and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who had netted twice as his side took a 3-0 lead, was nearly hit by a flare. The hostility from the local crowd continued throughout the contest and the officials were left with no choice but to suspend the contest.
  2. Germany smashed lowly San Marino to ease their way to a 8-0 win, picking up their fourth consecutive win in their qualifying group. Former Arsenal striker Serge Gnarby did his reputation no harm, grabbing a hat-trick. Euro 2016 runners-up, France, though, survived a scare from Sweden after trailing in the game through Emil Fosberg’s goal. Two goals in seven minutes by Dimitri Payet and Paul Pogba ensured that there were no hiccups for Didier Deschamps.
  3. There was plenty of confusion over Manchester United defender Chris Smalling’s fitness. The English giants only partially claimed that the 27-year-old was injured, even though there were reports that said that he was out for a month. Smalling did not take part in United’s 3-1 win against Swansea last weekend.
  4. In the Indian Super League, FC Goa came from behind to stun NorthEast United 2-1, although it did very little to improve the former’s prospects, who continue to languish at the bottom of the table.
  5. Former Fifa President Alfredo Hawit Banegas was banned for life after being found guilty of taking bribes. The 65-year-old was slapped with cases of fraudulent wire transactions and for trying to steer Concacaf commercial rights towards an Argentina-based agency.
  6. The Kerala Blasters fans, who have usually turned out in large numbers to support their side at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, are plotting to taunt Chennayin FC coach Marco Materazzi with “Zidane masks”, taking a dig at the head-butt incident that occurred during the World Cup final in 2006.