Racist abuse mars England's win - The Age

England's Theo Walcott (left) fights for the ball against Bulgaria's Tcvetan Genkov during their Euro 2012 qualifier in Sofia. Photo: AFP

England is set to lodge an official complaint after racist abuse against several of its black players marred a comfortable 3-0 win over Bulgaria in Sofia on Friday.

Two goals from a revitalised Wayne Rooney and a well-taken effort from defender Gary Cahill sealed an emphatic win for England, which has now opened up a three-point lead at the top of its Euro 2012 qualifying group.

But a satisfying night for England was soured by repeated monkey chanting from sections of the Bulgarian crowd against England players Chris Smalling, Ashley Cole, Ashley Young and Theo Walcott.

Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthaus later decried the abuse and issued an apology on behalf of the Bulgarian FA after English officials confirmed they had raised the matter with a UEFA observer.

"I can say it's pitiful when such things happen," Matthaus said at a post-match press conference.

"Because of that I would like to apologise on behalf of the Bulgarian Football Union."

Rooney said his teammates had been aware of the abuse during the Group G match at the Vasil Levski Stadium, where the visitors effectively sealed victory in the first half after surging to a 3-0 lead.

"As players we could hear it on the pitch. It has been going on for years and it is not right," Rooney said.

"It needs to stop and hopefully something will be done about it."

Walcott acknowledged he had heard the abuse.

"I was aware. It was very clear," the Arsenal winger said.

"I ignored it, but that is me. The result tonight was the important thing."

England has suffered repeated episodes of racist abuse on its travels in Europe before, most notably in Madrid in 2004 and Zagreb in 2007.

England captain John Terry admitted he was baffled by the abuse.

"You don't expect that at all," Terry said.

"It was a great spectacle for everyone to watch this evening. Let's not let that spoil it."

England's win left Fabio Capello's side three points clear at the top of Group G, after Wales defeated second-placed Montenegro 2-1 in the pool's other game on Friday.

If England picks up a further three points against Wales at Wembley next week, it will need only a point from its final game in Montenegro on October 7 to guarantee qualification.

Former champion Germany was given an early chance for celebration on Friday after becoming the first team to qualify for next year's Euro finals.

A 6-2 hammering of neighbours Austria means Joachim Loew's Germany side has now taken its tally in Group A to an unassailable 24 points after winning all of their eight games to date.

France edged closer to qualification but had to survive a scare in Tirana before running out 2-1 winners against Albania, a result that allowed Laurent Blanc's side to move three points clear at the top of Group D.

Italy also edged closer to securing automatic qualification but, like France, had to survive an edgy away encounter, away to the Faroe Islands, before running out 1-0 winners.

Elsewhere, Ireland's qualifying hopes suffered a blow when it was held to a scoreless draw in Dublin by Slovakia.

Following Russia's victory over Macedonia earlier, Dick Advocaat's men top Group B and welcome Ireland to Moscow on Tuesday in what may be the defining clash of the campaign.

The Netherlands, ranked the world's No.1 team, claimed a record 11-0 win against minnows San Marino to claim its seventh qualifying win on the trot. The Dutch are close to qualifying from Group E with three games remaining.

AFP