..::Football III::..

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Ribery edging closer to Bayern comeback

Bayern Munich have received some encouraging news from the treatment table as Franck Ribery is edging closer to his comeback after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an ankle injury.

The former France international has yet to feature for the reigning Bundesliga champions this term due to his physical problems, but has now taken another step in his recovery.

"Ribery is making good progress on the road to an eagerly awaited comeback. The 32-year-old completed another session of light running at the Sabener Strasse training ground on Thursday," reads a statement on the club's official website.

"Ribrey, who has not played for Bayern since March due to a persistent ankle injury, started running again at the end of last week.

"Before then, the French winger had gradually increased his training load on the treadmill in the performance centre.

"Ribery will continue his step-by-step recovery from the long lay-off over the coming weeks."

The 32-year-old has made 299 appearances in all competitions for Bayern since joining the club from Marseille in 2007.

Ribery & Robben recover unata passe bayern la thawath strong wenawa.
me para CL win karannath hoda chance 1k thiyenawa.
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[Wolverine GTR]

France 4-0 Armenia: Benzema hits late double in friendly triumph

Karim Benzema scored twice and set up another as France continued to build momentum ahead of the European Championship on home soil next year with a comprehensive 4-0 friendly win over Armenia in Nice.

Head coach Didier Deschamps had promised not to substitute Benzema, who has found himself being taken off in six out of the last eight matches for Real Madrid so far this term – despite being their top-scorer.

And he duly repaid his manager's faith, netting a quick-fire double late in the second half to put the result beyond all doubt following earlier strikes from Antoine Griezmann and Yohan Cabaye.

Benzema played a key part in Griezmann's opener, combining wonderfully with the Atletico Madrid forward, who broke the deadlock 10 minutes before half-time with his first international goal in 11 months.

Cabaye doubled France's lead with a sumptuous effort early in the second half, before Benzema fired in his 26th and 27th international goals in the space of two minutes.

However, the former Lyon man hobbled off in the closing stages – clutching his left hamstring – a potential blow for Les Bleus as they sealed their third consecutive victory in convincing fashion.

France dominated early on, and after Cabaye had gone close with a venomous strike from 18 yards out, Armenia stopper Kasparov had to be alert to keep out Patrice Evra's deflected effort.

For all their early pressure, France should have been behind soon after, but Artur Sarkisov was unable to latch onto Karlen Mkrtchyan's low-cross following slack play from Lassana Diarra – making his first international appearance in five years.

Having being played in brilliantly by Benzema, Griezmann, who missed a penalty in the Madrid derby on Sunday, should have slotted home at the other end shortly before the half-hour mark, but his effort was saved by Kasparov.
Kasparov again did well again a few moments later, getting down low to prevent Benzema netting with a rasping strike from the edge of the area.

However, France finally made their dominance pay in the 35th minute, Griezmann combining once again with Benzema before powering in a venomous finish from close-range.

France extended their lead shortly after the restart, Cabaye finding the bottom-right corner with a curling drive from 20 yards out.

After going agonisingly close on the hour-mark with a clever flick, Benzema finally got his goal when he rose highest to head home from Griezmann's 77th-minute corner.

And he doubled his tally two minutes later, latching onto a pass from substitute Anthony Martial before calmly slotting in.

There was to be one final twist however, as the 27-year-old limped off immediately after with what has been confirmed as a hamstring injury, while Griezmann and substitute Olivier Giroud both went close to grabbing the fifth as Deschamp's men cruised to victory.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Portugal 1-0 Denmark: Moutinho strike seals qualification

Joao Moutinho fired Portugal to a 1-0 win over Denmark in Braga to help his side seal qualification for Euro 2016.

The hosts knew that a draw would be enough to book their ticket for next year's showpiece in France, but they did not take any chances and bagged the full three points instead.
Morten Olsen's men looked dangerous in the opening 45 minutes, with Nicklas Bendtner and Martin Braithwaite in particular causing the Portugal defence problems, but their finishing let them down.

Portugal were unlucky when Nani hit the crossbar with a fine header in the closing stages of the first half.

Bendtner also hit the woodwork after the interval, but it was all Portugal from there on.

Kasper Schmeichel pulled off a number of fine saves though, before Moutinho eventually made the difference.

Denmark had the first chance of the match when Braithwaite sent in a dangerous cross from the left toward Bendtner, but goalkeeper Rui Patricio was alert and claimed the ball before the Wolfsburg striker could get to it.

Bernardo Silva looked lively for Portugal in the opening stages of the game and it was the Monaco star who set up Cristiano Ronaldo in the seventh minute of play, yet the Real Madrid attacker's left-footed shot lacked the power to worry Schmeichel.

The away side got a fine chance to go ahead after a quick counterattack in the 15th minute. Braithwaite found Bendtner with an intelligent through ball, only for the former Arsenal forward to blast his shot over the bar, ignoring the unmarked Christian Eriksen to his left.

Portugal felt they should have been awarded a penalty mid-way through the first half when Ronaldo went down inside the area, but the referee was not interested and waved play on.

Fernando Santos' men nearly got their goal in the 39th minute after some good work from Moutinho. The midfielder waited for the right moment before sending in a good cross toward Nani, the Fenerbahce winger's header hitting the crossbar before going out for a goal-kick.

The Danes had a penalty shout of their own turned down in the dying minutes of the first half after Cedric Soares seemingly handled the ball inside his own box.

Bendtner continued to cause the Portugal defence all sorts of trouble and came close to breaking the deadlock just seconds after the restart, the former Arsenal man's volley hitting the upright before bouncing out of play.

Nani, meanwhile, continued to be the hosts' main dangerman and had a fine shot saved by Schmeichel, before Cedric aimed just wide after the Denmark goalkeeper failed to hold on to a cross from the right.

Schmeichel was again called into action at the hour mark, with the Leicester City man first denying Ronaldo, only to then keep out Tiago's effort, too.

However, there was no denying Moutinho in the 66th minute. The midfielder collected a cleared cross at the edge of the area, danced past two opponents and hit the top corner with a sublime finish.

Bernardo should have put the match to bed through some fine individual skill, the attacking midfielder aiming wide from inside the area as it remained 1-0.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Republic of Ireland 1-0 Germany: Long strike stuns world champions

Republic of Ireland secured a famous 1-0 win over world champions Germany in Dublin thanks to a fantastic second half strike by substitute Shane Long.

Joachim Lowe's side were undone by a long ball upfield by substitute goalkeeper Darren Randolph which Long latched on to, racing clear of the Germany defence before hammering a fierce shot past Manuel Neuer.

Germany had a Mesut Ozil goal disallowed in the first half and wasted a string of chances to score throughout the match in a display of dreadful finishing.

Due to the defeat, Joachim Low's men need at least a draw in their last game against Georgia to progress to the finals in France next year as a result of Poland's late equaliser in Scotland.

Ireland are now certain to finish at least third in the group and can seal an automatic place by coming second if they can get a win or a draw where they score at least two goals in their final match against the Poles.

Germany threatened first when Jerome Boateng somehow missed the target after being afforded a free header from Toni Kroos' corner.

In another early chance, the visitors carved Ireland open through an excellent Mario Gotze run and pass but John O'Shea made a vital block from Ilkay Gundogan's effort.

Germany were in complete control and had a goal ruled out for offside. Ozil was celebrating after flicking home Thomas Muller's cross, but the assistant referee's flag correctly denied him.

Ireland had a Jon Walters penalty appeal turned down after the forward tangled with Mats Hummels, before the Stoke City striker had an effort blocked by Kroos, with the hosts growing in confidence as the first half progressed.

Andre Schurrle had to come on for an injured Gotze in a blow for the world champions prior to the break, while Ireland had to replace goalkeeper Shay Given with Randolph due to an injury incurred as he took a goal kick.

Germany went close to going into half time ahead when Ozil's first-time effort just missed the far post after Muller's cut-back.

Schurrle volleyed over from Marco Reus' cross early in the second half as the visitors continued to miss the target with presentable opportunities.

Ireland threatened when Daryl Murphy flashed a shot wide after good work from Wes Hoolahan and even better was to follow on 70 minutes with a goal.

A long goal kick from Randolph beat everyone in the away defence and substitute Long raced through and smashed his finish past Manuel Neuer.

Hummels headed wide from close-range after Muller's flick-on, before Hoolahan fired off-target from the edge of the box at the other end.

Muller was the next to waste a golden chance for the visitors, but he somehow missed the target from 12 yards after Jonas Hector's cross found its way to him in space.

Boateng finally had Germany's first shot on target with a long-range effort, although Randolph was equal to it, before the keeper saved from Gundogan moments later as the hosts held on for a famous triumph.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Northern Ireland 3-1 Greece: Davis double clinches Euro 2016 qualification

Northern Ireland are through to Euro 2016 after sealing qualification with a 3-1 win over Greece on Thursday night.

Michael O'Neill's men needed just two points from their final two qualifiers, but eased to victory against Group F's bottom side to reach their first European Championship.

The last time that Northern Ireland featured in a major tournament was at the 1986 World Cup and the current crop were set on their way by captain Steven Davis' opener.

Greece look set to end the campaign winless and fell further behind after the break as Josh Magennis - in for the suspended Kyle Lafferty - headed home a second to give the home side breathing space.

Jonny Evans, Chris Baird and Conor McLaughlin were also absent, but Northern Ireland proved too good for the former European champions, with Davis' second sealing a polished performance.

Christos Aravidis' late consolation did little to dampen the atmosphere, with O'Neill's men able to finish qualification on a high against Finland at the weekend as the country begins to dream of the Euros in France next year.

The hosts started well in Belfast, with Oliver Norwood flashing a shot into the side-netting before Magennis saw an opportunity denied by Vangelis Moras.

The Kilmarnock striker was picked to lead the line in Lafferty's absence, but O'Neill's men almost fell behind when Michael McGovern was called on to save Alexandros Tziolis' headed effort.

Magennis went close again when his goal-bound shot was deflected behind by Moras prior to the half-hour mark.

Northern Ireland got their breakthrough 10 minutes before the break when Davis benefited from a slick exchange between Corry Evans and Stuart Dallas.

Evans found the Leeds United midfielder with an incisive pass, and Davis slid in to convert from close range, although the hosts were made to sweat before half-time as Kostas Mitroglou struck the post from distance.

However, Northern Irish hopes were bolstered further when Magennis angled a header home from a corner four minutes into the second half.

Magennis - who previously plied his trade as a goalkeeper earlier in his career - diverted Norwood's delivery over a Greek defender on the line to register his first senior international goal.

All the signs pointed to it being the home side's night and their third prior to the hour did little to suggest otherwise as Chris Brunt's delivery was fortuitously cleared straight to Davis.

The skipper converted his second to ensure Aravidis' close-range finish three minutes from time mattered little - O'Neill's men now able to fully focus on their preparation for the continental competition in eight months' time.

 

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Daley Blind: My father should not be fired if Netherlands fail to qualify

Manchester United defender Daley Blind feels that his father Danny does not deserve to be sacked as Netherlands coach if the Dutch fail to qualify for Euro 2016.

Blind senior replaced Guus Hiddink as the man in charge earlier this year following Holland's disappointing performances, but Oranje are in danger of missing out on next year's showpiece in France having collected just one point from their first two games under new management.

Netherlands need Turkey to slip up in their last two Group A games, while the Dutch need to beat both Kazakhstan and Czech Republic to have a chance of reaching the playoffs.

However, Blind believes that his dad should remain head coach regardless of the outcome of their next two matches.

"It is a difficult question, but I think the coach should stay on after Euro 2016, even if we fail to qualify," Blind told De Telegraaf.

"I always support the national team coach. I did so when Louis van Gaal was in charge, I did so when Guus Hiddink was the coach and I do the same with my father.

"Let's not forget that he started the job at a rather complicated moment.

"I knew that he would be criticised when he became national team coach. I know how things work in the world of football and with the press.

"I don't let those kinds of things distract me, though, and neither does my father."

Netherlands meet Kazakhstan on Saturday, before hosting Czech Republic three days later.

Blind sack karala wadak nae.hiddink yanakota team eka kala tibune.

Hiddink thamai Dutch team 1ka kawe​

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[Wolverine GTR]

Bolivia 0-2 Uruguay: Caceres & Godin give Tabarez's men perfect start

Uruguay kicked off their World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Bolivia thanks to goals from Martin Caceres and Diego Godin in La Paz.

The defensive duo struck in either half for Oscar Tabarez's side in the opening game of the qualifying campaign in South America, earning the visitors their first win in Bolivia since 2007.

An open encounter saw both goalkeepers called into action on a number of occasions before Caceres broke the deadlock with a calm finish.

Bolivia's attempts to get back into the game saw Yasmani Duk twice go close, but the crossbar and Fernando Muslera were on hand to keep him at bay.

Eventually the hosts' profligacy was punished as Godin had the simple task of heading home Carlos Sanchez's free-kick after Daniel Vaca failed to collect the cross.

A reckless challenge from Jair Torrico saw the Bolivia full-back sent off shortly after Godin's goal, his moment of indiscipline ultimately allowing Uruguay to cruise to all three points.

A lively start saw both sides threaten the opening goal, Jhasmani Campos firing two low efforts wide for the hosts either side of Abel Hernandez's volley that was well saved by Vaca.

The relentless start showed no sign of abating and with 10 minutes on the clock Uruguay – who were without suspended duo Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani – broke the deadlock, Caceres reacting quickly to sweep home after Vaca had made a superb save to deny Hernandez.

Bolivia quickly upped the tempo and went agonisingly close to levelling when Duk out-muscled Godin inside the penalty area, but his strike thudded against Muslera's bar.

Sanchez was denied a second Uruguay goal from a free-kick after 20 minutes as Vaca tipped over, while Muslera was quickly on hand to deny Campos at the other end soon after.

Bolivia finished the half strongly and were again foiled by Muslera as Alejandro Chumacero's curling effort was pushed wide.

Keen to wipe out their deficit quickly after the restart Bolivia were immediately on the front foot, and Duk wasted an early opening with a wayward header – albeit under pressure from Godin.

Duk was causing plenty of problems for the Uruguay backline and just before the hour his strength saw off two defenders. The loose ball dropped to substitute Oscar Diaz but his shot lacked power.

Having soaked up plenty of Bolivia pressure Uruguay delivered a sucker punch after 69 minutes as Godin doubled their advantage, the captain nodding home at the back post as Vaca failed to claim Sanchez's left-wing delivery.

A disappointing day for Bolivia was sealed two minutes later as Torrico's strong challenge on Jose Gimenez earned him a straight red card, enabling Uruguay to control the closing minutes against the 10 men.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schurrle: Mourinho WILL get Chelsea back on top

Germany forward Andre Schurrle says Jose Mourinho will get Chelsea back to the top of the Premier League table despite a disappointing start to the season.

The Blues boss has come under pressure after overseeing six defeats already this season with Chelsea offering the Portuguese a vote of confidence following their latest loss to Southampton.

Schurrle, who managed eight goals in 30 appearances for Chelsea, before leaving for Wolfsburg after falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge is backing Mourinho to turn things around for the champions.

"I am not happy that Chelsea is in this position,” he told Goal.

“I still like this club and the players because I am still in touch with them.

“I am not happy that they are there. But I think with their quality and with this manager they will get back to the top."

Schurrle featured for Germany on Thursday, replacing Mario Gotze, as the world champions crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat to Republic of Ireland in Euro 2016 qualifying.

 

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Republic of Ireland 1-0 Germany: Long strike stuns world champions

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[Wolverine GTR]

Colombia 2-0 Peru: Gutierrez and Cardona sink Incas

Colombia’s 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign got off to the perfect start as goals from Teo Gutierrez and Edwin Cardona sealed all three points for Jose Pekerman's side against Peru.

Gutierrez was on hand to direct Cristian Zapata's header past Pedro Gallese, amid calls for offside, and Cardona's scooped effort in stoppage time secured victory as Peru's winless streak away from home in World Cup qualifying extended to 24 games - a run spanning back to 2004.

Colombia, who reached the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals in Brazil, and Peru - bidding to reach the showpiece tournament for the first time since 1982 - met in a friendly last month that ended 1-1.

Thursday's contest was similarly even throughout, as both teams enjoyed moments of ascendency without creating any clear-cut chances.

Colombia, slowly but surely, started to take a stranglehold of proceedings as Peru - happy to sit back on the counter attack - were pegged further back.

The home team's first real sight on goal came via Carlos Bacca just past the half-hour mark, but the Milan striker's header missed the target from close range after being picked out by Cardona.

Colombia continued to work the ball into good positions and it was not long before they finally made it count as Gutierrez broke the deadlock nine minutes before half-time.

Juan Cuadrado's corner kick was nodded down by Zapata and into the direction of Gutierrez, who directed the ball past goalkeeper Gallese, despite Peru's appeals for offside.

Colombia almost doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time, but Gallese was on hand to stop Cardona's free-kick.

Peru made a bright start to second half and enjoyed their best moment of the match. Paolo Guerrero hit the right post with a curled effort as the woodwork came to David Ospina's rescue.

Andre Carrillo, who set up Guerrero moments earlier, was then thwarted by a sliding block.

Colombia were not without their chances after the interval, but a number of misplaced passes hampered Jose Pekerman's men.

Bacca did have an opportunity to put the result beyond doubt with five minutes remaining, but his goal-bound shot was blocked.

Second-half substitute Yordy Reyna almost made Colombia pay, but he fluffed his effort wide of the post and Cardona wrapped up the match on the counter attack with the last kick of the game as Peru failed to beat their South American rivals for a fifth consecutive game.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schweinsteiger suffers thigh injury on Germany duty

Manchester United have been dealt another injury blow as Bastian Schweinsteiger has been ruled out of Germany’s final Euro 2016 qualifier against Georgia on Sunday with a thigh problem.

The 31-year-old suffered the injury in Germany’s final training session before Thursday’s 1-0 defeat to Republic of Ireland.

"Schweinsteiger probably won't play on sunday," said Germany boss Joachim Low after the loss in Dublin.

"The medical staff said he has to take a break for two or three days. He will stay with us and we will see, what is possible. But it does not look like he can play. [Mario] Gotze certainly won't play."

Wayne Rooney will also miss England’s final two Euro 2016 qualification games due to an ankle injury and will not travel with Roy Hodgson’s squad to face Lithuania on Monday.

Marcos Rojo also withdrew from the Argentina national side ahead of their games against Ecuador on Thursday and Paraguay next Tuesday. The defender has missed United’s last four matches with a hamstring injury but is looking to recover in time for the match against Everton on October 17.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United apita thamai paduwa wenne

Get well soon Schweinsteiger!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Deschamps confirms Benzema injury

Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Karim Benzema picked up a hamstring injury in France's convincing 4-0 friendly win over Armenia.

The Real Madrid forward netted a quickfire double late in the second half in Nice on Thursday, putting the result beyond all doubt after earlier strikes from Antoine Griezmann and Yohan Cabaye.

However, the 27-year-old hobbled off in the 80th minute, feeling his left thigh, and Deschamps, who said prior to kick-off that he would not substitute Benzema in response to the striker being taken off in six of his eight matches for Madrid so far this term, has admitted that early indications suggest a hamstring problem.

"Benzema has felt some great discomfort behind the thigh, [that's why] we take him off straight away," he told reporters. "I hope that it is nothing serious but we don't know yet."

Benzema has scored nine goals in total so far this season for club and country.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal and Chelsea fined by FA after feisty encounter

Chelsea and Arsenal have received fines from the Football Association (FA) following the ill-tempered clash between the teams at Stamford Bridge last month.

According to an FA statement released on Thursday, reigning Premier League champions Chelsea and FA Cup holders Arsenal must pay £40,000 and £30,000 respectively and have been warned over their future conduct for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the match.

Arsenal had Gabriel and Santi Cazorla sent off in the 2-0 loss to Jose Mourinho's team, while the hosts' Diego Costa was later charged and suspended for three matches for his part in a flashpoint with Laurent Koscielny that took place late in the first half.

Costa also clashed with Gabriel, who was dismissed for kicking out at the striker after a bout of verbal jousting, although the Brazilian's own three-game ban has since been rescinded by the FA.

Watford, meanwhile, have been charged for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion late in their 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on October 3.

The club has until 6pm (BST) next Monday to respond to the charge.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chile 2-0 Brazil: Vargas & Alexis consign Selecao to defeat

Second-half goals from Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez saw Chile to a 2-0 win over Brazil in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

Vargas side-footed in a 72nd-minute goal at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago before Sanchez sealed it late on for the Copa America champions.

They had looked the more likely to score throughout, with Sanchez and Mauricio Isla hitting the post.

Brazil looked best on the counter-attack, but they rarely troubled Claudio Bravo on the opening day of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying in South America.

Dunga's men felt the absence of suspended star Neymar, with Hulk struggling to get into the game.

The victory was just Chile's eighth in 71 meetings against Brazil and first since 2000.

While the win is an ideal start for Chile, Brazil need to respond when they host Venezuela on Tuesday.

Despite injury concerns surrounding Sanchez and Arturo Vidal, both started for Chile. Of the starting XI that won the Copa America final in July, only Charles Aranguiz was missing – his place taken by Gonzalo Jara.

Brazil were without the suspended Neymar and injured pair Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, with Hulk starting up front.

Vargas threatened in just the fifth minute, but Jefferson was untroubled by the tame effort.

At the other end, Hulk scuffed a long-range free-wick wide, before Sanchez and Vargas combined for the latter to curl a 25-yard effort off target.

The opening half-hour was cagey as neither side managed to penetrate.

The closest either came to scoring was Sanchez's effort in the 42nd minute.

Vidal's flick and Mark Gonzalez's hard work created the chance for the Arsenal star, who hit the outside of the post on the turn.

The game opened up after the break and the hosts were denied by the woodwork once more.

Isla fired a powerful angled effort at goal from the edge of the area, but he too was denied by the outside of the post.

The hosts had another big chance in the 68th minute, but Gonzalez dragged his shot across goal after being played in down the left by Vidal.

But just four minutes later Chile were ahead. Matias Fernandez's set-piece from the right was met by Vargas, whose side-footed effort proved too powerful for Jefferson. Brazil almost levelled immediately as Ricardo Oliveira just narrowly missed out on getting on the end of Willian's low cross.

Chile would seal their win in the 90th minute as Sanchez and Vidal played a one-two, poked in by the former despite an initial block on the line.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Argentina 0-2 Ecuador: Martino's men crumble without Messi & Aguero

Argentina were below-par all evening and finally slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Ecuador in Buenos Aires, as the absences of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero were felt keenly up-front.

Captain Messi was out of the reckoning and El Kun managed just 20 minutes before limping off the field, after having the nation's best chance of the evening.

Without them the Albiceleste appeared out of ideas in attack and dangerously shaky at the back, and Ecuador's first World Cup qualifying victory on Argentine soil was more than deserved.

Ecuador started brightly and had a great chance to take the lead in the 10th minute.

Antonio Valencia broke into space just outside the box, but his delivery across the penalty box to pick out the unmarked Jefferson Montero was overhit.

At the other end, Argentina went close but not close enough in the 17th minute.

Alexander Dominguez was forced into a save by Angel Correa and the former then produced a finger-tip save to deny Aguero from close range after Angel Di Maria teed up his team-mate.

That proved to be Aguero's last bit of action as he was carted from the field two minutes later.

Aguero clutched at his left hamstring and signalled to the bench after chasing down Achilier.

Ecuador continued to be a threat on the counter-attack in the first half, though they spurned another opportunity to hit the front approaching the half-hour mark, when Miller Bolanos fired over from the edge of the area following Valencia's cutback.

It was more of the same after the interval, Ecuador wasting yet another chance to break the deadlock in the 58th minute.

Lucas Biglia slipped in the middle of the field and Christian Noboa pounced and found himself in space outside the box but his chipped effort sailed wide of the post.

Argentina had opportunities in quick succession from the 67th minute, though neither Javier Mascherano nor Di Maria found the back of the net.

Mascherano linked up with Tevez inside the area but the outstretched Barcelona midfielder was unable to guide the pall beyond Dominguez, while Di Maria's attempted chip was dealt with.

Argentina were then made to pay as a flick on from Segundo Castillo fell to Erazo, who stooped low to head past Romero with nine minutes remaining.

And it got better for Ecuador just seconds later as Valencia sprinted into the box and passed the ball to Caicedo, who made no mistake from close range.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aguero in tears after suffering hamstring injury on Argentina duty

Sergio Aguero was left in tears in Argentina's dressing room after the Manchester City striker suffered a hamstring injury during the 2-0 defeat to Ecuador.

Aguero lasted just 20 minutes before being replaced by Carlos Tevez and is now set to undergo tests to determine the extent of his injury.

"He had been having a great time and was playing well," said Nicolas Otamendi after the match, who also revealed that Aguero had been crying in the dressing room following his injury.

Gerardo Martino, meanwhile, refused to speculate on the severity of Aguero's latest setback but insists the injury is not linked with the one he was carrying before the international break.

"He had been carrying a knock with his club, during the week we took good care of him," said the Argentina manager.

"He was moving around the pitch well, but unfortunately he felt some discomfort and we are going to lose him.

"I haven't spoken to the doctor but I can confirm the injury is not the same as the one he had been carrying with his club."

The City striker is the latest name on Argentina's growing casualty list. Lionel Messi, Ever Banega, Enzo Perez and Marcos Rojo had already withdrawn before Thursday's defeat.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon All!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo: Ferguson was my football father

Cristiano Ronaldo has voiced his admiration for former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and has described the Scot as his "footballing father".

The Real Madrid star worked under Ferguson at United between 2003 and 2009 and he has nothing but fond memories of his former boss, stressing that the 73-year-old was there for him when he needed him most.

"When my dad was sick in London and was in hospital - very bad, in a coma - I had a conversation with [Ferguson]," Ronaldo told BBC for a documentary about the former Manchester United manager.

"I said, 'Boss, I don't feel good.' We were in a key moment in the league and the Champions League, but I said, 'Boss, I don't feel good. I want to see my dad.'

"[He said] 'Cristiano, you want to go one day, two days, one week, you can go. I'm going to miss you here because you know you are important, but your dad [comes] first.'

"When he told me that, I thought, 'This guy's unbelievable.'

"He invited everyone to come for lunch, come for tea … an English cup of tea! It was a family with him. He was a football father for me."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

European Championship Qualifying Group Stage Fixtures 2015.10.09

European Championship Qualifying Group Stage Fixtures 2015.10.09

Group C

Macedonia Vs Ukraine

Slovakia Vs Belarus

Spain Vs Luxembourg

Group E

England Vs Estonia

Slovenia Vs Luthuania

Switzerland Vs San Marino

Group G

Liechtenstein Vs Sweden

Moldova Vs Russia

Montenegro Vs Austria​