The Bulgarian winger scored from the penalty spot as his country recorded a much-needed 3-0 win over Luxembourg, a result that sees them lie third in their group behind Romania and Holland.
Richards was part of England’s impressive 3-0 win over Russia at Wembley, and in the same group Vedran Corluka played in Croatia’s easy 6-0 win in Andorra. The two look set to face each other in what could be a group decider at Wembley in two month’s time.
There was disappointment for Richard Dunne, the Blues skipper could not prevent the Czech Republic beating the Republic of Ireland 1-0 in Prague. Georgios Samaras made a substitute appearance in Greece’s 2-2 draw with Norway in Oslo, a result that sees his country stay top of Group C.
Andreas Isaksson continued his rehabilitation from injury when he played in the first 45 minutes of Sweden’s 2-1 friendly win over Montenegro. Kasper Schmeichel was in goal for the Danish Under 21 side’s 0-0 draw with Scotland at Dunfermline’s East End Park.
But it was a less than happy night for Elano, the Brazilian playmaker came on as a substitute in his country’s 3-1 win over Mexico in Boston, but he was sent off for poor challenge on Torrado.
