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Group D round-up

Franck Ribery contemplates an early exit
Image: Ribery: Missed an early chance for France against Romania

France saw their lead in Euro 2012 qualifying Group D cut to a single point after a lacklustre goalless draw in Bucharest.

France remain top of Group D after drawing their lastest game

France remained top of Group D after a goalless draw with Romania, while Bosnia are just one point behind them after beating Belarus 2-1. Luxembourg stay bottom of the group despite a surprise 2-1 win over Albania. A solitary point is all that separates Group D leaders France from Bosnia after the most lacklustre of goalless draws in Bucharest. In a game miserably short on goalmouth action, Franck Ribery missed the group pacesetters' best chance - and they were relieved when Romania's Banel Nicolita headed wide from close range. The result, coupled with Bosnia-Herzegovina's second win in four days over nine-man Belarus, left Laurent Blanc's side with the narrowest lead over a Bosnia side who provide the opposition at the Stade de France in the final game of the group.

Late winner

A late winner from half-time substitute Zvjezdan Misimovic earned Bosnia-Herzegovina an important victory over nine-man Belarus. Bosnia-Herzegovina won 2-0 in Belarus on Friday night and secured another vital win as they remain firmly in contention for qualification from Group D. Belarus midfielder Timofey Kalachev was dismissed for a second yellow card just after the half-hour mark before the visitors went down to nine men with seven minutes remaining when Alexander Martynovich saw red. The two-man deficit proved to be too much as the hosts finally took the lead with three minutes remaining when Misimovic rifled home Edin Dzeko's pass from 12 yards out. Luxembourg picked up their first win of their qualifying campaign after defeating nine-man Albania in a battle between the two bottom sides. Gilles Bettmer gave hosts Luxembourg the lead but Albania, despite losing Ansi Agolli to a straight red card just after half-time, drew level in the 64th minute through Erjon Bogdani. However, Luxembourg made the most of their man advantage to re-take the lead 12 minutes from time through substitute Aurelien Joachim. That proved to be enough to earn them the victory, with Albania's fading hopes all but extinguished when they suffered a second dismissal in the 86th minute after Bogdani picked up two yellow cards in quick succession.

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