Scots win to stay on top of group

GLASGOW, Scotland -- Scotland maintained their lead at the top of the highly competitive Group B in the Euro 2008 qualifiers when they beat Ukraine 3-1 at Hampden Park.

France stayed within two points of Scotland when they won 6-0 in the Faroe Islands, with Thierry Henry equaling Michel Platini's 41 goals for his country when he scored the second.

Italy held onto second spot, a point behind the Scots, with a 2-0 defeat of Georgia in Genoa.

The Scots, fired up by a fourth minute headed goal from Kenny Miller, kept the pressure on World Cup finalists Italy and France, who are still battling to stay in the hunt for a qualifying place.

Scotland now have a great chance to qualify for a major international tournament for the first time in a decade.

With an outstanding victory over France in Paris last month still fresh in their memory Alex McLeish's team were quickly into their stride against Ukraine.

The Scots wasted no time in taking the initiative, going ahead with Miller's header from James McFadden's free kick after Scott Brown had been fouled on the touchline by Andriy Nesmachny, who was booked by referee Pieter Vink.

Miller raced onto the inswinging cross and nodded past Olexandr Shovkovskiy.

Six minutes later Barry Ferguson chipped a free kick to an unmarked Lee McCulloch, who had plenty of time to guide his shot in from 12 yards.

Ukraine pulled a goal back in the 24th minute when the Scotland defense was unable to deal with Andriy Nesmachniy's left-wing cross, which deflected off defender Gary Naysmith, giving Andriy Shevchenko the chance the thump into the roof of the net from close range.

Just before half-time McFadden appeared to be hauled down as he advanced on goal but referee Vink refused a penalty. Ferguson and McCulloch were booked for their vigorous protests, the card rules out McCulloch for Wednesday's game in Georgia.

Ukraine pressed strongly for a leveler but the Scots' anxiety evaporated in the 68th minute Scotland when restored their two goal advantage.

Hutton spotted McFadden's run and played a perfectly weighted pass to the Everton forward who controlled the ball before smashing it low past Shovkovskiy from 12 yards.

McLeish said: "The players just keep confounding people with their performances. There was commitment today, they showed great skill at times, their finishing was phenomenal and there was some terrific defending as well.

"We got off to a flyer with two great goals but we then sat too deep. We knew Ukraine would come into it at some stage and it was important we didn't panic.

"The goal we lost came out of nothing and we should have dealt with it better but it is hard to criticize anyone and it was the best game at Hampden since I came into the job."

Ukraine coach Oleh Blokhin, who had suggested he would resign if they failed to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals said afterwards that he would carry on.

He said: "Scotland deserved to win the match. Some of our players didn't play to their usual standards and Scotland wanted it more.

"But I will not be quitting and I will continue as the coach."

France, who had been delayed by rough weather on their way to the Faroes, soon went 2-0 up.

Nicolas Anelka gave them a seventh minute lead with Henry doubling the advantage seconds later to draw level with Platini.

Karim Benzema's double, Jerome Rothen's excellent freekick and Hatem Ben Arfa's late strike completed the rout.

France only reached Torshavn with four hours to spare, but both sides agreed the fixture should go ahead as planned. They were watched by barely 1,500 spectators.

World champions Italy beat Georgia 2-0 in Genoa.

Andrea Pirlo scored with a free kick in the 44th minute. Pirlo was helped by an error from Georgia goalkeeper George Lomaia, who allowed the ball to sail into the net uncontested.

Defender Fabio Grosso took a pass from Luca to score the second in the 84th. minute. E-mail to a friend