Best of midweek

By James Pearson   Last updated: 11th September 2008

Team of midweek

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Best of midweek

Walcott: Stunning hat-trick

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Player of midweek - Hat-trick hero Walcott

There can only be one serious contender for this prize and it goes to Theo Walcott. Fabio Capello was debating in his mind whether to play Walcott out wide right for the second game in succession or go with the experience of David Beckham. Thankfully Capello stuck with his original plan as the Arsenal man netted a blistering hat-trick in England's fine 4-1 win over nemesis Croatia. A mention also goes to Germany's Mirolsav Klose, who also scored three against Finland.

Goal of midweek - Walcott's third

A striker is gauged on his ability to find the back of the net and Walcott's ability to beat Stipe Pletikosa was uncanny. While his first two finishes were well-struck efforts past the keeper into the far corner of the net, his third was a bit of everything. He latched onto Wayne Rooney's through-ball before outstripping Croatia's defence with his blistering pace and despatching the ball home using the outside of his right foot. A real classy finish.

Save of midweek - Igor Akinfeev

They say goals win matches, but saves can also fall into that bracket. That proved the case on Wednesday as Gareth Bale missed the chance to open the scoring for Wales against Russia from the penalty spot. The Spurs ace looked confident enough in his run up but Akinfeev guessed the right way and kept out the full-back's shot. Had Wales scored they may have gone on to get something from the game, but as it happened, despite a brave display, they slipped to a 2-1 defeat in Moscow. Elsewhere, Petr Cech pulled off a fine save to deny Warren Feeney as Czech Republic held Northern Ireland at Windsor Park.

Moment of midweek - Burley claims first Scots win

After going four matches without success, including last weekend's surprise 1-0 defeat to Macedonia, the pressure was starting to build on Scotland manager George Burley. However, that run ended on Wednesday courtesy of a fine 2-1 away win in Iceland. The Scots clinched the win thanks to goals from Kirk Broadfoot and James McFadden, although Stephen McManus' late sending off made for a nervy finish.

Gaffe of midweek - McManus' dismissal

Scotland were cruising to victory in Iceland courtesy of goals from Broadfoot and McFadden, but George Burley's mood quickly changed when Celtic defender Stephen McManus handballed Emil Hallfredsson's cross in the box. McManus was rightly given a red card while Eidur Gudjohnsen dispatched the ensuing penalty to set up a tense finale. Thankfully for Scotland they held on for a deserved win.

Ouch of midweek - Joe Cole in stitches

Cole was the hero with his brace off the bench in England's 2-0 weekend win over Andorra, but his evening's work on Wednesday was cut short following a meaty challenge from Robert Kovac. With England leading 1-0 in Croatia, thanks to Walcott's first half opener, Slaven Bilic's side were left up against it when Kovac was dismissed for an apparent elbow on Cole. The Chelsea ace was left needing double-figures in stitches in a nasty head wound.

Shock of midweek - Switzerland 1 Luxembourg 2

As if failing to impress on home soil in Euro 2008 was bad enough, Swiss football is now at a new low. The visit of Luxembourg normally sees opposing strikers rub their hands in glee at how many goals they might score. However, despite losing 59 or their previous 60 matches, Luxembourg threw the form book out of the window on Wednesday thanks to Fons Leweck's 86th minute match-winning goal.

Game of midweek - Finland 3 Germany 3

When the home team scores three invariably they win, while when a visiting player bags a hat-trick they often prevail, but on this occasion the game finished in a thrilling three-all draw. Finland led three times in Helsinki through goals from Jonatan Johansson, Mika Vayrynen and Daniel Sjolund, but they simply could not keep Klose quiet, as he equalised all three goals as Germany maintained their unbeaten start to life in Group 4.

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