World Cup qualifiers review:Frank Lampard rescued a point for England when he scored an 87th minute penalty to force a 1-1 draw with Ukraine in their Group H World Cup qualifier at Wembley tonight.
England finished with 10 men when captain Steven Gerrard was sent off a minute after the equaliser for a second yellow card as they struggled following Friday's opening 5-0 win in Moldova.
Ukraine looked like inflicting a rare home World Cup defeat on England after Evhen Konoplianka's stunning 39th minute goal until Lampard struck after Evhen Khacheridi handled in the area.
England substitute Danny Welbeck hit the post just before the equaliser and Jermain Defoe had a goal ruled out for an infringement in the first half but Ukraine also had chances and in the end were disappointed to go home with just one point.
After defeat in Russia on Friday, Northern Irelandhad to accept a demoralising draw against Luxembourgafter a match they dominated ended with the visitors scoring a heavily deflected equaliser in the 86th minute.
Things had started so promisingly for Michael O’Neill’s side, with Dean Shiels claiming his first international goal with a deft finish in the 14th minute.
The hosts had nearly all of the meaningful chances, with three efforts disallowed by the officials and Chris Brunt hitting the post before Daniel Da Mota’s shot squirmed home via Ryan McGivern’s shoulder.
It leaves them fifth in Group F, behind the visitors, Azerbaijan, Portugal and Russia, who beat Israel 4-0 in Ramat Gan.
Wales'World Cup aspirations lie in tatters after an inept display at the Karadjordje Stadium saw them thumped by Serbia.
Woeful defending played a major part in Wales' heaviest defeat since 2006 and Aleksandar Kolarov and Zoran Tosic had the hosts 2-0 up inside 25 minutes.
Gareth Bale gave Wales hope with a stunning free-kick but Filip Duricic got a third for the hosts before the break and Dusan Tadic, Branislav Ivanovic and Miralen Sulejmani completed a 6-1 rout.
After losing their opening fixture to belgium 2-0, Wales are rooted to the foot of Group A, while group rivals Scotlandwere held at home by Macedonia.
There had been pressure on Craig Levein’s men to deliver the win following the disappointment of Saturday’s goalless stalemate against Serbia in their opener.
Kenny Miller cancelled out Nikolce Noveski’s opener just before the interval but the Scots could not find the winner, leaving them with just two points from two home games in a campaign which has so far failed to live up to expectations.
