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England qualify, Montenegro in play-offs

Montenegro 2-2 England
England are sure of a finals berth, but Andrija Delibašić's late equaliser means that Montenegro are guaranteed second place and a crack at the play-offs.

Andrija Delibašić headed a late equaliser to earn Montenegro a play-off spot
Andrija Delibašić headed a late equaliser to earn Montenegro a play-off spot ©Getty Images

Ten-man England secured top spot in Group G and automatic qualification for UEFA EURO 2012 despite being pegged back to a 2-2 draw in Montenegro, substitute Andrija Delibašić heading a last-gasp equaliser to earn the hosts a play-off spot.

Ashley Young turned home Theo Walcott's cross at the back post 11 minutes in to put England in front and Darren Bent tapped in to double the lead 20 minutes later. On the stroke of half-time, Elsad Zverotić got his side back into it, and Wayne Rooney was dismissed before Delibašić nodded in the leveller in added time.

Needing just a point to seal a finals place, England started on the front foot; Rooney released Walcott on the right, with the Arsenal FC winger teeing up Young to head his fourth international goal from close range. Goalscorer turned provider for the second, Young surging into the area and playing Bent in for a simple finish despite having only had Mladen Božović to beat.

Montenegro rallied, though, and Zverotić collected Fatos Beqiraj's ball from the right, with his deflected shot wrong-footing Joe Hart in the England goal.

GNK Dinamo Zagreb wide man Beqiraj almost got the equaliser just after the break with a low left-footed shot, before Rooney's dismissal for a foul on Miodrag Džudović with 15 minutes to go prompted Montenegro to redouble their efforts.

The home side seemed destined to be heading to Switzerland on the final day still needing a point, but Stefan Savić's cross in the dying moments found Delibašić, who had been on the pitch for 11 minutes, and he headed in a historic goal to secure second spot.

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