England beat Wales 2-0 in Cardiff to go top of their European Championship qualifying group. A Frank Lampard penalty and Darren Bent’s goal inside 14 minutes was a double blow that Wales could not come back from and they are now pointless from four matches.
Republic of Ireland moved joint top of their group with a 2-1 win over Macedonia in Dublin thanks to goals from Aiden McGeady and Robbie Keane. Northern Ireland lost 2-1 to Serbia in Belgrade in a match notable because only away fans were allowed in the stadium as punishment for Serbian crowd trouble during a game against Italy last year.
The qualifiers continue this week with Northern Ireland hosting Slovenia on Tuesday. England and the Republic have home friendlies on Wednesday, against Ghana and Uruguay respectively. In friendly action at the weekend Brazil saw off Scotland 2-0 at the Emirates thanks to Naymar’s double.
England are out of the Cricket World Cup after a humiliating 10-wicket defeat to co-hosts Sri Lanka in their quarter-final. England laboured in setting Sri Lanka 230 to win and openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upal Tharanga hit hundreds as they reached the target with more than 10 overs to spare.
Sri Lanka face New Zealand, who shocked South Africa in their quarter-final, in Tuesday’s semi-final. Wednesday’s semi sees a clash between bitter rivals India and Pakistan. The final is on Saturday.
Defending world champion Sebastian Vettel led from start to finish to win the opening Grand Prix of the season in Melbourne. Lewis Hamilton finished second and Vitaly Petrov was third.
Rugby union’s premiership returned with leaders Leicester stating their dominance thanks to a 37-6 win at Bath. Second-placed Saracens beat Newcastle 24-9 but Gloucester, in third, were thrashed 53-15 at Harlequins. Northampton are fourth after they thumped Wasps 39-3 and London Irish fifth following a 39-17 defeat of Exeter. Sale sneaked past Leeds 15-12.
Warrington remain top of rugby league’s Super League after defeating defending champions Wigan 24-6. Castleford are second following a 10-try 56-16 demolition of Crusaders and Huddersfield are third having seen off Hull KR 38-16. Fourth-placed St Helens beat Bradford 38-16. There were also wins for Salford over Catalan Dragons, Hull FC against Harlequins, and Leeds versus Wakefield.
Finally, Oxford upset the odds by beating fancied Cambridge in the 157th Boat Race.
