The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Jorginho on the spot as Italy maintain their 100% record
Italy required a late penalty to extend their 100% record in European Championship Qualifying Group J with a 2-1 win over Finland in Tampere.
Finland looked to be heading for a shock point when Teemu Pukki scored from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, cancelling out Ciro Immobile’s 59th minute opener.
But the Italians h it back and claimed the points eight minutes later when Jorginho converted his own spot-kick after Sauli Vaisanen was penalised for handball in the box.
Also in Group J, Dennis Salanovic scored four minutes from time to claim a rare point for Liechtenstein in a 1-1 draw against Greece in Athens.
A much-changed Spain line-up extended their 100% record in Group F with a 4-0 stroll against the Faroe Islands.
Rodrigo slid home the opener in the 13th minute but the visitors put up some sterling resistance until the same player extended the lead six minutes into the second half.
Substitute Paco Alcacer put some gloss on a poor Spanish performance by doubling Spain’s tally with two goals in added time.
Sweden held on to second place after Emil Forsber’s 58th-minute strike salvaged a 1-1 draw against Norway in Solna.
The Norwegians had gone ahead on the stroke of half-time through Stefan Johansen.
A George Puscas header early in the second half proved just enough for Romania to cling on to their qualification hopes with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Malta in Ploiesti.
Denmark had to a settle for a frustrating goalless draw against Georgia in Tbilisi.
Switzerland needed 37 minutes to break the deadlock against Gibraltar but ultimately cruised to victory with goals from Denis Zakaria, Admir Mehmedi, Ricardo Rodriguez and Mario Gavranovic.
Arsenal striker Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored twice as Armenia claimed a 4-2 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group J after which the latter’s coach, Robert Prosinecki, resigned.