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England's football team found a way to quickly dissipate the nation's summer of sporting success and bring back the gloom with a dreary performance against Ukraine at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.
It took Frank Lampard to score his 26th England goal - from the penalty spot in the 87th minute - to salvage a 1-1 draw in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
Germany edged Austria 2-1 to confirm top spot in Group C after their 2014 World Cup qualifier in Vienna.
Belgium and Croatia battled to a 1-1 draw in Brussels.
Italy kick-started their campaign with a 2-nil win over Malta in Modena and France beat Belarus 3-1 at the Stade de France.
Northern Ireland's hopes of getting to Brazil 2014 suffered a setback as lowly Luxembourg left Windsor Park with a 1-1 draw.
Scotland's stuttering start to their qualifying campaign continued as they had to come from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with minnows Macedonia at Hampden Park.
Reigning World and European champions Spain needed an 86th-minute strike from Roberto Soldado to beat Georgia 1-0 in their opening Group I qualifier.
