ENGLAND'S dour victory over Denmark at Wembley last night will not linger long in the memory of the fans who forked out to watch it. However, there were some significant games around Europe on a night when the entire football world appeared to be in action.
There were more than 30 games across Europe featuring teams from all six continents.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
There were only 2,000 fans in the ground for the match between Ukraine, the highest-ranked side in the world not to make it to Brazil, and the US who will be at the World Cup.
There was a minute's silence before the anthems in honour of those who have lost their lives in the political crisis.
"Some Ukrainian fans came with banners to support their country, while others appeared glad to have something to take their minds off what was happening at home," reports CNN. "A 2-0 win thanks to goals from Andriy Yarmolenko and Marko Devic may not register on the national consciousness at this moment in time - but it gave them a brief respite from the trouble their country has endured."
Russian leader Vladimir Putin may not have been impressed to see Ukraine forging sporting links with the US, and his mood is unlikely to have been improved by the international debut of Kosovo, the independent Balkan state that is not recognised by Russia.
However, six years after declaring itself independent from Serbia the former Yugoslavian province played as a nation for the first time and drew 0-0 against Haiti. Despite pleas from the country's FA Manchester United starlet Adnan Januzaj declined an offer to turn out for Kosovo.
In footballing terms the match of the night took place at Millwall, where Australia threw away a 3-0 half time lead to lose 3-4 to Ecuador.
English fans can take some pleasure from the travails of Germany, who put in a lacklustre show against Chile. The home side did win 1-0 but they were booed off the pitch in Stuttgart. However, their failure was relative, as Chile easily beat England at Wembley last year.
Diego Costa made his Spain debut in Madrid as the world champions beat Italy 1-0 in another match that failed to live up to expectations.
The hosts of this summer's tournament, Brazil, did turn on the style to confirm their status as favourites as they beat South Africa 5-0 in Johannesburg, thanks to a hat-trick from Neymar and goals from Oscar of Chelsea and Man City midfielder Fernandinho.
-
Pelé obituary: remembering the greatest footballer of all timeIn the Spotlight The Brazilian footballer, who died aged 82, was blessed with extraordinary skill in every aspect of the game
-
Iconic soccer legend Pelé dead at 82Speed Read
-
Carabao Cup final: Chelsea vs. Man City predictions, betting odds, TV channelThe Week Recommends Can Chelsea get revenge after the 6-0 hammering by City in the league?
-
Anthony Joshua could make US debut with New York bout against Jarrell MillerSpeed Read Promoter Eddie Hearn says April fight at Wembley is unlikely to happen
-
Carabao Cup final: Chelsea vs. Man City early betting odds
Speed Read City look to defend the league cup at Wembley Stadium in February
-
Tottenham won’t move to new stadium until at least MarchSpeed Read North London club will continue to play fixtures at Wembley
-
HMRC expands football tax probeSpeed Read Total of 171 players, 44 clubs and 31 agents under investigation for suspicious tax activity relating to image rights
-
Wembley sale off: reactions as Shahid Khan withdraws bidSpeed Read Fulham owner pulls out of ‘divisive’ £600m deal with FA but concerns remain over funding of grass-roots football
