The Netherlands rallied to beat Austria 4-3 on Wednesday, and David Beckham made his 100th international appearance in England's 1-0 loss in France in two of the friendlies involving the 16 European Championship teams.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored two goals, including the game winner in the 86th minute, as the Dutch rallied from a three-goal deficit in Austria.
Defending champions Greece, Germany, Spain and Romania also won, while the Czech Republic, Croatia and Turkey played out draws and Italy, Poland, Sweden, Russia, Portugal and Switzerland lost.
Austria were leading 3-0 in Vienna after two goals from Sebastian Prodl and another from Andreas Ivanschitz. But Huntelaar started the comeback in the 38th, with John Heitinga and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink also scoring to make it 3-3.
Sweden lost to Brazil 1-0 in a rematch of the 1958 World Cup final that was held in London. Alexandre Pato scored in the 72nd minute, helped by a major blunder from substitute Sweden goalkeeper Rami Shaaban.
Both sides were missing their top players. Brazil was without both Kaka and Ronaldinho, and Sweden was missing Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Mario Gomez helped his chances of making the Germany squad for Euro 2008 with two goals and an assist in a 4-0 win over Switzerland.
Gomez, who is fighting for a place in Germany's starting lineup, set up Miroslav Klose for the first goal in the 23rd and scored in the 61st and 67th minutes in Basel, Switzerland. Lukas Podolski added the fourth in injury time.
With England failing to qualify for the European Championship, the team hoped for a win to mark Beckham's 100th appearance for his national team.
But Franck Ribery scored from the penalty spot in the 32nd after England goalkeeper David James had raced off his line to foul Nicolas Anelka.
"I was happy to start the game, but it was more about getting on the pitch, getting that 100th cap," Beckham said.
While France readies for Euro 2008, England coach Fabio Capello is trying to build a team capable of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. But his side failed to adapt to the shape he wanted and did little to worry France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet.
Spain beat World Cup champion Italy 1-0 with a 78th-minute volley from David Villa.
The Valencia striker met Fabio Cannavaro's headed clearance just inside the area and curled his shot past outstretched goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon into the top left of goal.
Defending European champions Greece maintained their 12-year unbeaten streak over Portugal with a 2-1 win in Duesseldorf, Germany. It was the first time the two countries had played since the final of the 2004 European Championship, which Greece won 1-0.
Georgios Karagounis scored both goals, curling a shot from the edge of the area over the wall in the 33rd and producing a similar goal in the 60th. Nuno Gomes pulled one back in the 75th for Portugal, who were missing injured midfield playmakers Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco.
Poland lost 3-0 to the US after goals from Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu and Eddie Lewis. Poland are preparing for their first European Championship.
Croatia, who finished ahead of England in Euro 2008 qualifying, were held to a 1-1 draw by Scotland.
Croatia took the lead in the 10th when Niko Kranjcar scored with a long-range shot after taking a throw-in from Luka Modric, while Scotland leveled in the 30th through Kenny Miller.
Romania showed their potential when they beat Russia 3-0 in Bucharest after goals from Ciprian Marica, Daniel Niculae and Marius Niculae.
Turkey drew 2-2 at Belarus, needing a 71st-minute equalizer from Tumer Metin.
Jan Koller scored to salvage a 1-1 draw for the Czech Republic against Denmark. Koller, the all-time leading Czech scorer, headed in the equalizer in the 42nd from a cross from Libor Sionko.
Nicklas Bendtner had put the Danes ahead in the 25th.
Argentina beat Egypt 2-0 in Cairo thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Burdisso, and Mexico rallied to beat Ghana 2-1 in London.
Manchester City have reached do-or-die territory in the UEFA Champions League earlier than expected ahead of what Pep Guardiola has described as a “final” against Club Brugge today. City have disproved the suggestion a new format to Europe’s top club competition would remove any jeopardy for the top clubs as Guardiola stares down the barrel of failing to make the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in his career. The English champions have endured a torrid season both in their English Premier League title defense and on the continent. A run of one win in 13 games, which included Champions League
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about £2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday poured in 35 points as the Thunder grabbed a bounce-back 118-108 victory in Portland to push their NBA-best record to 37-8. The Thunder, surprised by the short-handed Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, fended off a late surge from the Trail Blazers to snap their four-game winning streak. Jalen Williams scored 24 points and Isaiah Joe added 16 off the bench. Center Isaiah Hartenstein, back after a five-game absence with a calf injury, added 14 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and a big block. The Western Conference leaders were under pressure late as Portland, trailing by 15 heading
The Golden State Warriors on Wednesday withstood Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 52-point outburst to beat the Western Conference leading Thunder 116-109. Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points and Warriors superstar Stephen Curry scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half as Golden State erased a double-digit deficit and pulled away late for the victory. “We just stayed solid,” said Curry, who entered the contest mired in a shooting slump and had just four points on one basket in the first half. “Just all-around effort.” The Thunder, fueled by 31 first-half points from Gilgeous-Alexander, led by as many as 14 in the