2014 World Cup qualifiers: Lampard double fires five-star England

France, Germany register wins; Italy held while Uruguay handed shock defeat.

CHISINAU:

Frank Lampard ensured England made a smooth start on the road to Brazil as the Chelsea midfielder bagged a brace in his side's 5-0 demolition of Moldova in Friday's opening World Cup qualifier.

Lampard gave England the perfect start when he converted a penalty and he was on the scoresheet again before half-time, while Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe also netted in the first period. James Milner and Leighton Baines added late goals to kill off the out-classed Moldovans.

Ukraine should provide a sterner test when they visit Wembley on Tuesday, but this was a promising start to England's bid to reach the 2014 World Cup. England manager Roy Hodgson was pleased with his side’s performance.

"I was pleased with the way we played, especially in the first half," said Hodgson. "We attacked and defended well and we were quick to get the ball back. At 3-0 at half-time it was pleasing. There was always the risk it would get too easy but we played some good football and scored two more goals."

Perfect return for Diaby

Meanwhile, Abou Diaby marked his return to international football with the only goal of the game, as France began their bid to qualify for the finals with a 1-0 win against Finland.

It was hardly vintage stuff from Les Bleus and manager Didier Deschamps acknowledged that in his first competitive game in charge.

"It's not easy, in general these things don't start well," said Deschamps. "It's a shame that we had chances only for their keeper to make good saves.”

Diaby, who was making his first appearance for France since June last year, was satisfied with his return to international football.

"It's been a long time,” said Diaby. “I am happy to be back and we are delighted to come away with the win. It has been a difficult year, but I need to look to the future."

Ozil brace spares Germany's blushes

In other qualifying matches, Germany laboured to a 3-0 win over minnows Faroe Islands, as two second-half goals from Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil saved the Germans' blushes.

After Ireland's 2-1 win in Kazakhstan earlier, Germany top Group C, but wasted a glorious chance to dominate their guests from the north Atlantic archipelago, who are ranked 152 places below the second-placed Germans. Midfielder Mario Goetze's first-half strike and Mesut Ozil's brace after the break ensured the hosts at least started the road to Brazil 2014 with three points.

"It was clear to see from the beginning that we wanted to score, but our problem at the moment is we waste a lot of chances," admitted Germany coach Joachim Loew.

In other matches, Belgium beat 10-man Wales 2-0, while Italy were held by Bulgaria in a 2-2 draw. There were also a couple of shocks as Columbia thrashed Uruguay 4-0, while Jamaica beat the US 2-1.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2012.