The international prize is the only major one missing from the striker's glittering CV, but will his country even make it to Qatar? Portugal missed the chance to book their place at World Cup 2022 after losing 2-1 to Serbia in their final group game, with a late goal from Aleksandr Mitrovic sealing top spot in Group A for their opponents. Cristiano Ronaldo has not missed a World Cup since ma...Full Story »

Overjoyed Stockport boss Dave Challinor understood the fans’ emotions as many spilled onto the pitch late in their dramatic 5-3 extra-time FA Cup win against League One Bolton.The National League side came back from 3-1 down to secure a second-round tie at Rotherham, but the late pitch invasion after the final goal could mean trouble with the FA.Challinor said: “It was an amazing nig...Full Story »

Stockport produced an incredible fightback as they stunned League One Bolton 5-3 in the FA Cup.Dave Challinor’s National League outfit came back from 3-1 down to seal a second-round trip to Rotherham, though a late pitch invasion could well see Stockport in trouble with the Football Association.The majority of County’s biggest crowd in over a decade were stunned by a blistering start...Full Story »

Steven Bergwijn and Memphis Depay scored late as the Netherlands qualified for next year's World Cup with a 2-0 home victory over Norway on Tuesday to win Group G. The result means Borussia Dortmund and Norway star Erling Haaland misses out on his chance to compete at his first senior tournament next year. The Dutch return to the finals after missing out on the 2018 tournament in Russia but wi...Full Story »

European champions Italy could face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in a winner-takes-all World Cup playoff final in March. Portugal and Italy, winners of the last two editions of the European Championship, failed to top their World Cup qualifying group, missing out to Serbia and Switzerland respectively. It means both must enter the new playoff system, featuring 12 teams battling for three place...Full Story »

Mark Bonner was pleased with Cambridge’s performance after they beat Northampton 3-1 in their FA Cup first-round replay.Bonner’s side made comfortable progress, with the game effectively over soon after half-time when Ben Worman added to first-half goals from Harvey Knibbs and Sam Smith. Danny Rose scored a late consolation for the League Two Cobblers.League One Cambridge will go on ...Full Story »

Gateshead player-manager Mike Williamson described the dramatic 3-2 FA Cup replay victory against Altrincham as his best feeling in football.The former Newcastle defender’s National League North side were twice pegged back by Altrincham having seen a two-goal lead disappear in the original tie.But just as the replay was heading towards extra-time, Macauley Langstaff netted a stoppage-time ...Full Story »

Joey Barton praised the character of his Bristol Rovers team after substitute Sion Spence had netted twice in the second half of extra time to settle a memorable FA Cup first round replay win over Oxford.Barton’s League Two team trailed their League One opponents 3-1 but hit back to earn a second round tie at home to Sutton.The home side took a 48th-minute lead when Sam Finlay fired home f...Full Story »

Aaron Ramsey stressed the importance of home advantage as Wales booked a World Cup play-off semi-final date in Cardiff.Wales went into their final qualifier against Belgium needing a point to secure a home tie unless Turkey won their last game by four clear goals.But Turkey could only win 2-1 in Montenegro and Wales’ 1-1 draw with Belgium, the world’s top-ranked side, clinched a home...Full Story »

Caretaker boss Antony Sweeney admitted Hartlepool had to ride their luck as they got the better of Sky Bet League One Wycombe 1-0 to book their place in the FA Cup second round.The League Two side will now travel to Lincoln after Mark Cullen’s first-half strike saw them get the better of the Chairboys, who dominated large parts of the game.And Sweeney acknowledged his team were always goin...Full Story »

Wales drew 1-1 with Belgium to secure home advantage in their World Cup play-off semi-final. Kevin De Bruyne silenced a noisy Cardiff crowd inside 12 minutes, but Kieffer Moore equalised before half-time to give Wales the point they craved. Already guaranteed a play-off spot through their Nations League results, Wales were determined to secure a home tie in March by finishing second in Group...Full Story »

Idris El Mizouni cracked home a superb late 25-yard strike to hand League One high-fliers Ipswich a 2-1 FA Cup replay win at League Two strugglers Oldham.Tunisian El Mizouni pounced on a poor clearing header from Callum Whelan in the 81st minute to hand Paul Cook’s side a second round home tie against Barrow.Oldham opened brightly against an Ipswich team who had won just one of their previ...Full Story »

Macauley Langstaff scored a dramatic late winner as Gateshead beat Altrincham 3-2 in a thrilling FA Cup first-round replay.National League North side Gateshead twice had their lead cut back but Langstaff’s stoppage-time goal sealed a second round televised home tie against League One Charlton.The nerveless visitors dominated early possession but the National League hosts created the first ...Full Story »

Argentina captain Lionel Messi is fit again and will start their World Cup qualifier at home to Brazil on Tuesday but Neymar will miss out for the visitors after feeling pain in his thigh, the teams announced. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made similar comments ahead of their last game, a 1-0 win over Uruguay on Friday, although Messi only appeared for the final 14 minutes of the match. Arg...Full Story »

Scotland concluded their 2022 World Cup qualifying Group F campaign with a magnificent 2-0 win over runaway section winners Denmark to clinch their place as play-off seeds.Defender John Souttar, a late call-up and playing for the first time since he was sent off against Israel three years ago, raised the roof at Hampden Park with a headed opener in the 35th minute for his first international goa...Full Story »

European champions Italy must go into the World Cup qualifying play-offs after being held to a goalless draw by brilliant Northern Ireland at Windsor Park.In the best performance of the Ian Baraclough era, Northern Ireland frustrated their illustrious visitors for 90 minutes – with Conor Washington unable to take a last-minute chance to snatch a famous victory.With Switzerland beating Bulg...Full Story »

Sam Stubbs could be in contention to feature in Exeter’s FA Cup first round replay against Bradford on Tuesday night.The 22-year-old central defender made his debut for the Grecians in their Papa John’s Trophy victory over Bristol Rovers last week after recovering from a knee injury and may have a part to play in another cup tie against the Bantams.Jevani Brown will be hoping to star...Full Story »

Wycombe will continue to be without a host of international players for their FA Cup first-round replay against Hartlepool on Tuesday.Garath McCleary could remain sidelined and has not featured for the Chairboys since October 23.Daryl Horgan, Sullay Kaikai and Tjay De Barr are all on international duty.However, manager Gareth Ainsworth made a few changes for the previous game and could choose to...Full Story »

Cheltenham will continue to be without Will Boyle as they prepare to welcome Gillingham to The Jonny-Rocks Stadium for the FA Cup first round replay.The 26-year-old defender has not featured since Town’s 1-0 win over Accrington last month and boss Michael Duff confirmed “he can’t seem to shake” the injury.Callum Wright will not be available but has returned to training on...Full Story »

Stevenage’s preparations for their home FA Cup replay against MK Dons have been hit by the departure of manager Alex Revell.The club announced they had “parted company” with Revell and assistant Dean Wilkins on Sunday following their home defeat to Mansfield.Scott Cuthbert and Arthur Read are hoping to retain their places after being recalled to the starting line-up on Saturday...Full Story »