Euro World Cup Qualifying Opens With Upsets

When France decided to stick with Raymond Domenech following the Euro 2008 shambles, the world was surprised. Less surprising is that France’s World Cup qualification campaign under Domenech has got off to the worst possible start with a 3-1 loss to Austria.

It started badly when Phillipe Mexes scored an 8th minute own goal (though Janko will claim it) …

…and things pretty much got worse from there. Especially for Mexes. Apparently it was Mexes who gave away the free kick that led to this goal, allowing Rene Aufhauser to make it 2-0 before halftime:

Sidney Govou pulled one back in the 61st, but a 72nd minute Andreas Ivanschitz penalty pretty much sealed France’s fate. Guess who gave away the penalty. Yep, Mexes asgain.

Does this vindicate Domenech for not taking Mexes? Maybe, but this defeat puts Domenech under pressure, especially with the next game being against Serbia at home. A defeat (or maybe even a draw) there and he’s got to be looking at unemployment. Great start for Karel Bruckner as Austria manager though.

The other two surprises in European WC qualifying were Romania losing 3-0 at home to Lithuania (Romania were missing Christian Chivu and Adrian Mutu, and Lithuania are no mugs, but it’s still a surprise) and Scotland losing 1-0 away defeat to Macedonia.

Macedonia’s winning goal came in the fifth minute when Ilco Naumoski pounced on the rebound after Craig Gordon had saved a Goce Sedloski free kick:

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