Chelsea legend Kerry Dixon on gambling for biscuits in jail
EUROPEAN champions Portugal were brought crashing down to earth last night as they opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a chastening defeat in Switzerland. Portugal, missing Cristiano Ronaldo, who is still recovering from the knee injury he suffered in the Euro 2016 final against France, had no answer as the Swiss claimed a 2-0 victory in Basle, thanks to goals from Breel Embolo and Admir Mehmedi. Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka was sent off at the death for the home side, who nonetheless take early control of Group B. France showed signs of rust as they
were held to a 0-0 draw against Belarus in Barysaw. The French lined up for the Group A opener with no fewer than seven Premier League players — Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Moussa Sissoko, Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud, Anthony Martial and Steve Mandanda — but could find no way past keeper Andrey Gorbunov. In the same group, Sweden hinted there may be life after Zlatan Ibrahimovic as they held Holland to a 1-1 draw in Stockholm. The Swedes, without their talisman, who retired after Euro 2016, took the lead on 43 minutes thanks to a sublime lob from striker Marcus Berg. But Holland hit back after the break when Wesley Sneijder netted from close range. Elsewhere, Roberto Martinez oversaw his first victory as Belgium manager as his side triumphed 3-0 in Cyprus thanks to a Romelu Lukaku double and a late effort from Yannick Carrasco, which was assisted by Chelsea’s Eden Hazard. Belgium could have added to their tally but Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi missed a late penalty. Gibraltar gave Greece a scare before eventually losing 4-1. The Greeks took the lead through Kostas Mitroglou, only for Liam Walker, once of Portsmouth, to fire in a sumptuous equaliser from just inside the box. However, the moment of glory was short-lived as the Greeks promptly replied with three goals to wrap up the game before half-time.