FCBARCELONA.CAT

14.10.2007 00:40

Henry equals Platini record

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France thrashed the Faeroe Isles 0-6 on Saturday with Thierry Henry getting the second and thereby equalling Michel Platini’s 41 goals for his country.

There were some vital clashes in the EURO 2008 qualifying groups this weekend for Barça players representing France (Henry, Abidal and Thuram), Spain (Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta), Portugal (Deco) and Iceland (Gudjohnsen). Wins for France, Spain and Portugal boosted their chances of being in next summer’s tournament in Austria and Switzerland but a defeat for Iceland left Gudjohnsen’s side perilously close to last place.

Henry and Platini

Thierry Henry has now scored 41 goals for France in his ten-year international career and has equalled the record held by the legendary Michel Platini since EURO ’84. Henry, Abidal and Thuram, who clearly have the confidence of France manager Raymond Domenech, all played the full 90 minutes.

Spain brush aside Denmark

Xavi and Iniesta both took part in Spain’s important 1-3 win against Denmark in Aarhus. Spain put in an excellent first half performance to go two up inside of 40 minutes with Iniesta providing the assist for Raúl Tamudo for the first and Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos making it 0-2 just before halftime.

Espanyol defender, Albert Riera, got Spain’s third a few minutes before full time while Xavi almost scored from a free kick. Carles Puyol did not play.

50 international caps for Deco

In Group A, Portugal beat Azerbaijan 0-2 (goals from Bruno Alves and Hugo Almeida) and are now in second place four points behind Poland. Deco, who won his 50th international cap this weekend, played the full 90 minutes and hit the post just before the break.

Goals but no joy for Gudjohnsen

Gudjohnsen scored twice in Iceland’s 2-4 home defeat against Latvia in Reykjavik. Gudjohnsen opened the scoring early on but Latvia hit back with four by halftime. Gudjohnsen, who played the whole match, got another in the 52nd minute but it was not enough to stop his country from sliding below Latvia in Group F.