Italy, England held, Spain wins in friendlies

World champion Italy and England both salvaged draws Wednesday in their final matches before the start of World Cup qualifying, while European champion Spain enjoyed a winning start to life under new coach Vicente Del Bosque. Two months after Spain ended its 44-year wait for a major trophy, Luis Aragones' successor began his tenure a 3-0 victory over Denmark. Euro 2008 runner-up Germany had a 2-0 win over Belgium. Returning coaches had mixed fortunes. Italy's Marcello Lippi saw his 2006 World Cup-winning side rally from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Austria, while Carlos Queiroz began a second spell leading Portugal with a 5-0 rout of the Faeroe Islands. Despite England salvaging a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic in stoppage time, Fabio Capello's side was outclassed and jeered by a disappointed Wembley crowd. The... [read full story]