Garcia nets hatrick for Spaniards

Luis Garcia scored three goals as Spain won the 1st leg of their World Cup playoff against Slovakia 5-1. Fernando Morientes came off the bench to score the fifth. Xabi also made a late sub appearance. Spain will almost certainly be going to the World Cup now together with three or four Liverpool players.
Elsewhere Stevie Gerrard gave a fine display for England, despite being played in three different positions, setting up Owen's equaliser in the 3-2 victory over Argentina. Peter Crouch came on for the last ten minutes with England chasing the game.
Djib made a sub appearance in France's 0-0 draw with Germany and John Arne Riise was in playoff action for Norway as they suffered a 1-0 home defeat to the Czech Republic with Liverpool old boy Vladimir Smicer scoring the goal. Harry Kewell was another red on the losing side as Australia lost the away leg of their playoff to Uruguay 1-0.