England Beats Scotland; Spain Ties France in European Soccer

Paul Gascoigne’s spectacular volley and goalkeeper David Seaman’s penalty save helped England defeat Scotland, 2-0, in the European soccer championship Saturday.

Alan Shearer also scored his second goal of the championship as England took a big step toward the quarterfinals. The Scots need a victory over the Swiss to have any hope of advancing to the quarterfinals.

In Saturday’s other game, Spain ended France’s streak of 10 victories with a 1-1 tie. Jose Luis Caminero scored for Spain with five minutes to play at Leeds United’s Elland Road.

Shearer, who also scored against the Swiss in a 1-1 tie last weekend, put England in front before 76,000 fans at Wembley in the 53rd minute. Gascoigne, who plays for Scottish champion Glasgow Rangers, scored in the 79th.

In between, Seaman preserved England’s lead with a reflex-action save on a shot by Gordon Durie and then stopping Gary McAllister on a penalty shot.

England and the Netherlands have four points each and the Scots and Swiss have one each. The English and Dutch meet Tuesday and a tie will mean that the Scots and Swiss, who meet the same day, will be unable to qualify.

France extended its unbeaten run to 25 games as Youri Djorkaeff took a well-timed pass from Christian Karembeu, controlled it and prodded the ball past goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta.

France and Bulgaria are tied atop Group B with four points each. Spain is third with two. Romania, with no points, is eliminated.