France topped the European Champion-ships qualification Group B after a 2-0 win over Ukraine in Paris but Italy are hot on their heels following a 2-1 win over the Faroe Islands.

While France’s second half performance, in which goals from Frank Ribery and Nicolas Anelka earned them a deserved three points, exuded panache, world champions Italy were a shadow of their normal selves.
France had taken their time to get into the match, but, in terms of possession, they were well on top against a Ukrainian side which clearly lacked the finishing ability of injured Andrei Shevchenko.

French domination
Just after the break, Anelka shot wide of the left hand post as France started brightly and a period of French domination preceded the goal by Ribery in the 57th minute. The 24-year-old, winning his 17th cap, outpaced Ukraine’s defence and rounded the goalkeeper to sidefoot home into an empty net.

With 19 minutes to go, Anelka made the match safe. In an impressive piece of individual skill, he jinked the ball up into the air before firing home from an acute angle on the left.

AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi scored a brace in torrential rain to give the Italians a 2-0 lead in the match played in Rome, despite the Faroes being the home side.

But Rogvi Jacobsen gave the hosts hope of a shock result with a goal 13 minutes from time.

Nani strikes
In other games new Manchester United signing Nani scored the opening goal as Portugal won 2-1 in Belgium to cement their place in the top two in Group A.

Serbia won 2-0 at Finland to keep pace with Portugal on 14 points from seven games, five points behind leaders Poland, who won 3-1 in Azerbaijan and have played a game more.

Finland trail Serbia and Portugal by three points after their defeat.

Despite missing four regular starters, including star man Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal proved too good for the Belgians and despite Marouane Fellaini’s equaliser, Helder Postiga hit home the winner halfway through the second period.

There was big drama in the Scandinavian derby in Group F in Copenhagen.

Sweden stormed into a 3-0 lead with two goals from Johan Elmander and another from Petter Hansson only for Daniel Agger, Jon Dahl Tomasson and Leon Andreasen to help the home team draw level.

Greece moved top of Group C after a 2-0 home win over Hungary, coupled with Turkey’s surprise 3-2 defeat in Bosnia.

Germany thrashed San Marino 6-0 while Ryan Giggs’ last match in a Wales shirt ended in a 0-0 stalemate against the Czech Republic in Cardiff.