News: An evening of international friendlies throws up some unlikely results

Ronaldo celebrates as Spain suffer

What a difference the summer has made. Last night's series of international friendlies showed that the football landscape is once again shifting. Of the four semi-finalists from South Africa, three were playing last night. The Netherlands won, Germany drew and, remarkably, Spain lost.

In the run up to the world cup final, Spain had lost only twice in 56 matches. Since that night in Soccer City, La Roja have played six matches and have won only three. They drew with Mexico, were humiliated by Argentina, only just overcame a stubborn Scotland and, most significantly, lost to neighbours Portugal 4-0 last night. It is Spain's worst defeat for 47 years, and leaves one wondering why their meeting in South Africa was so dire to watch.

On the other hand France, under new coach Laurent Blanc, have rapidly moved past their South African debacle and demonstrated the depth of their national pool. Blanc omitted Henry, Anelka, Evra, Toulalan, Ribery and Gallas and began a process of rejuvenation, a process England would do well to learn from. Yoann Gourcuff put in a stylish performance in midfield that will have Lyon fans questioning why his form has been so absent in the league. Karin Benzema and Samir Nasri - both astonishingly left out of the World Cup squad - proved themselves as players of the highest calibre and Benzema will surely be hoping his goal scoring performance goes some way to convincing Jose Mourinho to bring him back into the fold at Madrid. Blanc welcomed young, hungry talent and it paid off. England on the other hand, though bringing in several fresh faces, looked as stagnant as they did in South Africa.


Egypt, another notable absentee from the World Cup, dominated Australia in a result that reminded the footballing world what was missing this summer. The football landscape is shifting - it's time some of the international old guard followed suit.

Results in full:

Albania 0-0 FYR Macedonia
Argentina 1-0 Brazil
Austria 1-2 Greece
Bulgaria 0-1 Serbia
Chile 2-0 Uruguay
China PR 1-0 Latvia
Denmark 0-0 Czech Republic
Egypt 3-0 Australia
England 1-2 France
Estonia 1-1 Liechtenstein
Hong Kong 0-7 Paraguay
Hungary 2-0 Lithuania
Israel 3-2 Iceland
Luxembourg 0-0 Algeria
Montenegro 2-0 Azerbaijan
Netherlands 1-0 Turkey
Northern Ireland 1-1 Morocco
Oman 0-4 Belarus
Poland 3-1 Ivory Coast
Portugal 4-0 Spain
Rep of Ireland 1-2 Norway
Romania 1-1 Italy
Russia 0-2 Belgium
Slovakia 2-3 Bosnia-Hercegovina
Slovenia 1-2 Georgia
South Africa 0-1 USA
Sweden 0-0 Germany
Switzerland 2-2 Ukraine