LONDON (AP):
SCOTLAND UPSET World Cup runners-up France 1-0 yesterday and Spain lost for the second time in European Championship qualifying. The Netherlands and England were both held to draws.
Scotland's win puts them in first place in Group B with a perfect nine points from three games, three more than France.
Gary Caldwell capped a standout defensive performance by turning home an in-swinging corner from Paul Hartley at Hampden Park.
UNBELIEVABLE RESULT
"It is amazing, an unbelievable result," Caldwell said. "One of the best ever for Scotland. But the group goes on and there is a long way to go yet."
It was also the first time in 14 years that France had lost a qualifying game on the road. Since a 2-0 loss to Bulgaria on September 8, 1992, France had won 13 European Championship and World Cup qualifying games away from home and drawn seven.
"I know what we have to do and what we cannot do," France coach Raymond Domenech said. "Playing for playing is not enough. We have to play to win and have that combative attitude again." Lithuania beat the Faeroe Islands 1-0 in the same group.
The winners and runners-up of the seven groups advance to the final tournament in Austria and Switzerland from June 7-29. The two hosts automatically qualify.
Sweden beat Spain 2-0 to keep their perfect record after three games and lead Group F. Johan Elmander and Marcus Allback scored and goalkeeper Rami Shaaban made several key saves.
Spain have only three points from three games after losing to Northern Ireland 3-2 last month. They opened qualifying with a 4-0 win over Liechtenstein.
Denmark drew 0-0 with Northern Ireland and Latvia beat Iceland 4-0 in the other Group F games. Denmark and Northern Ireland each have four points, with Spain in fifth place.
England beat Macedonia 1-0 last month, but couldn't score at Old Trafford. "It's never an easy ride in these qualifying groups. Ask Italy. Ask France," England midfielder Frank Lampard said. "That's the way it goes."
England barely had a shot on goal in the first half, but the second half of the Group E match provided more opportunities for the hosts.
