European Teams (UEFA)

Advantage Portugal in crucial World Cup play-off

Cristiano Ronaldo’s diving header eight minutes from time gave Portugal the upper hand heading into their second-leg tie at Sweden Tuesday. It was a battle between two of the best players in world football as Ronaldo and Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic competed for a spot at the World Cup finals in Brazil next year.

The match was devoid of clear goal scoring chances as both big guns struggled to impose themselves for 82 minutes before Ronaldo scored the all important goal.

France put to the sword

World Cup 2006 finalists France have to overcome a 2-0 deficit against Ukraine Tuesday if they want to make the flight to Brazil next year.

Les Blues defended miserably and were duly punished as Roman Zozulya struck after 15 minutes in the second half and Andriy Yarmolenko doubled from the spot.

Greece 3 — Romania 1

Iceland 0 — Croatia 0

CONMEBOL & ACF

Uruguay outclass minnows Jordan

The South Americans ran riot as 5-0 winners in their World Cup qualifying play-off match on Wednesday and have undoubtedly secured their place at the finals next year.

The goals came from Maxi Pereira, Christian Stuani, Nicolas Lodeiro, Christian Rodriguez and Edinson Cavani, who scored a stunning injury-time free kick to cop off a splendid night for Uruguay.

CONCACAF

Mexico regains form in massive play-off win

Mexico is now on the brink of qualifying for the World Cup finals after crushing New Zealand 5-1 at the Azteca Stadium last Wednesday. Goals came from Paul Aguilar and Raul Jimenez before the break, while Oribe Peralta and captain Rafa Marquez scored in the second 45 seal an emphatic win. New Zealand scored a consolation goal in the 86th minute.

African Teams (CAF)

Super Eagles soar into World Cup finals

Nigeria booked its place in football’s major showpiece event by securing a 2-0 win over Ethiopia at Calabar on Saturday, a 4-1 aggregate triumph. They could only have the ‘Victors’ to thank as Victor Moses and Victor Obinna was on hand to dispatch a penalty and freekick respectively. The Super Eagles are the first team to confirm its place from the region at the World Cup.

Ivorians see off Senegalese assault to qualify

A brave Senegal side only barely missed out on qualification Saturday when they drew 1-1 in their second leg play-off tie against the Ivory Coast in Casablanca.

‘The Elephants’ go though 4-2 on aggregate after winning the first leg 3-1. It was a dominant display by the home team who gained the lead from substitute Moussa Sow’s penalty in the 77th, which set up a frantic finale before Solomon Kalou equalised in the 94th.

Second leg: Cameroon 4-1 Tunisia, aggregate 4-1

Other second leg games will be played throughout the course of this week.