Star striker Wayne Rooney was sent off as England reached the Euro 2012 finals on Friday while continental heavyweights France and Portugal were left waiting anxiously on their fates. Rooney was red-carded in the 73rd minute in Podgorica as Montenegro fought back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw. A last-minute equaliser from substitute Andrija Delibasic grabbed a share of the points after England had taken the lead with goals from Ashley Young and Darren Bent. The Montenegro fightback was not enough to prevent Fabio Capello’s men from earning the point they needed to secure qualification from Group G for next year’s finals in Poland and Ukraine, however. But England’s night was so nearly ruined by Rooney’s 73rd minute moment of madness, the Manchester United striker sent off for aiming a petulant kick at Miodrag Dzudovic. Rooney’s dismissal capped a miserable week following the arrest on Thursday of his father and uncle in connection with a football betting scam. Capello hoped that Rooney will learn from his latest dismissal even though the player will miss at least the first match of the finals. “He kicked out at the opponent and the red card was OK. He lost the ball and for the next game he will be suspended,” said Capello. “He is an important player but this will be a good lesson for him and the team. He was just frustrated by what was happening on the pitch and not by anything in his private life.” Montenegro secured their play-off spot when Wales beat Switzerland 2-0 in Swansea. France outclassed Albania 3-0 in Paris to go within a point of a place at the finals. Goals from Florent Malouda and Loic Remy gave the hosts a 2-0 half-time lead, before Anthony Reveillere put the seal on a comfortable night’s work with his first international goal in the 67th minute. “I’m satisfied,” said France coach Laurent Blanc. “We wanted to win this match and it’s always satisfying to win.” Bosnia-Herzegovina’s 5-0 thrashing of Luxembourg prevented France from qualifying automatically, but they are now assured of at least a play-off place. Bosnia visit Paris for the final match in Group D next Tuesday, when a draw for France will be sufficient. Second-half goals from Georgios Samaras and Thoefanis Gekas sealed a 2-0 win for Greece over Croatia in Group F. The win leaves the 2004 European champions needing just a point from their last group game away to Georgia on Tuesday to clinch their place in next summer’s finals.
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