..::Football III::..

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Ibrahimovic: Ronaldo & Messi favourites for Ballon d'Or

Paris Saint-Germain star Zlatan Ibrahimovic feels La Liga duo Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo remain the favourites to win the Fifa Ballon d'Or this term, although he has insisted that it's no foregone conclusion that either the Barcelona attacker or his Real Madrid nemesis will scoop up the prestigious award.

The Sweden international believes that Franck Ribery has a good chance to win the award as well following his successful year with Bayern Munich, yet added that it will be hard for any voters to look past Messi and Ronaldo.

"Several players have a shot at winning the Ballon d'Or," Ibrahimovic told reporters.

"Ribery has had an amazing year and won everything there is to win. Then, there's Messi, who is pure talent and was born to do this – he's not a product of training. Ronaldo is also playing great.

"There are a fair few players performing at a high level, though from one week to the next, it's hard to look past Ronaldo and Messi."

For the moment, though, Ibrahimovic is focusing on his country's 2014 World Cup qualification play-off against Portugal, arguing that Sweden face a tough task to make it to next year's tournament in Brazil.

"I see the tie as two finals and we have to play well in both," the 32-year-old mused.

"People shouldn't focus on two players – it's Sweden against Portugal. It's all about the team and we all have to perform to get a result."

Sweden travel to Lisbon for the first leg on Friday, before hosting Portugal in Solna four days later.

 

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Man Utd post club-record revenue in Q1

Manchester United posted a club-record 29.1 per cent increase in revenue to £98.5 million in the first financial quarter.

Due to a host of 12 new global and regional sponsorships including Russian airline Aeroflot and soft drinks company Pepsi, commercial revenue has increased by £16.9m when compared to last year’s first quarter.

Broadcasting revenue also saw a £5.6m increase in comparison to last year’s first quarter following increased revenue from the Premier League and the Champions League.

“We are pleased to have achieved another record first quarter, driven by the strength of our commercial business and increased broadcasting revenues,” said United’s executive vice chairman Edward Woodward.

“Our unique approach to the commercial business will continue to drive future growth.”

United are also set to benefit from BT’s £897m deal which secured television rights to broadcast Champions League and Europa League matches for three years from 2015.

“We are also excited by the continuing rise in the value of sports content, evidenced, amongst other things, by the recently announced BT deal for the UK rights to broadcast the Champions League and Europa League matches for three seasons from 2015/16,” said Woodward.

“This deal represents a meaningful increase over the current arrangement, which should translate into higher broadcasting revenues for the participating clubs.”

 

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Will Messi win the World Cup wearing this? Argentina reveal new kit

Lionel Messi and his Argentina team-mates have revealed the kit they will be wearing when they attempt to win World Cup 2014.

The Albiceleste qualified for the tournament by topping Conmebol qualification ahead of the likes of Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay, and they will be top seeds when the 32 teams are grouped in December.

Alejandro Sabella is without Messi due to injury when the third-ranked team in the world face Ecuador on Friday and Bosnia and Herzegovina three days later, but they will be hoping he can return to full fitness to help fire the two-time World Cup champions to another success.

Check it out some of the top Argentina players donning the new attire below!

Messi the man | The attacker is inevitably the star of Argentina's top-quality squad

Winged wonders | Angel Di Maria and Erik Lamela get ready for action with the Albiceleste

Laughs all round | "And then Ronaldo said: I'll win the Ballon d'Or this year!"

Side by side | Paris Saint-Germain's Ezequiel Lavezzi will hope to feature with Messi next year

Best crest | The two stars above the crest represent the nation's two World Cup wins

Famous faces, poor performances | The country have underperformed at recent World Cups

Adidas unveiled the brand new Spain kit on Wednesday, which the world champions will be hoping can guide them to successive World Cup titles - something that has not been done since Brazil achieved the feat in 1962.​

 

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World Cup Qualifying Fixtures 2013.11.15

World Cup Qualifying Fixtures 2013.11.15

Iceland Vs Croatia

Greece Vs Romania

Portugal Vs Sweden

Ukraine Vs France


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Portugal Vs Sweden Pattama gemak yai

 

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International Friendly Fixtures 2013.11.15

International Friendly Fixtures 2013.11.15


South Korea Vs Switzerland

Belarus Vs Albania

Czech Republic Vs Canada

Russia Vs Serbia

Estonia Vs Azerbaijan

Poland Vs Slovakia

Jamaica Vs Trinidad

Denmark Vs Norway

Turkey Vs Nothern Ireland

Italy Vs Germany

Republic of Ireland Vs Latvia

England Vs Chile

Scotland Vs USA

Argentina Vs Ecuador


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Sanchez patta

 

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Ecuador 0-0 Argentina: Albiceleste held in Jersey

Argentina and Ecuador have played out a dire 0-0 draw in an international friendly at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

In the first match for both teams since Conmebol's World Cup qualifying group finished last month, Ecuador and Argentina looked decidedly rusty, although the former should have taken the lead in the opening half.

Captain Antonio Valencia was left unmarked at the back post but his header struck the woodwork instead of finding the back of the net.

Argentine substitute Maxi Rodriguez matched Valencia's effort with two minutes remaining in regulation time when he volleyed onto the post, ensuring the match ended in a draw.

Argentina head coach Alejandro Sabella selected an experimental line-up on Friday with Lionel Messi out injured and the likes of Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta on the bench.Sabella's line-up struggled to get going and Ecuador started the stronger, producing a number of counter-attacks that troubled Argentina.

In the 12th minute, Ecuador should have opened the scoring when Jefferson Montero, who was lively throughout the first half, found Valencia at the back post with a lovely dinked cross but the captain's header struck the post with Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero stranded.

On the half-hour mark, Montero then wasted a one-on-one opportunity, blasting his shot high and wide.

Romero was forced into a sharp save soon after the break when Juan Carlos Paredes unleashed from a tight angle, following a clever back-heel from Christian Noboa.

From then on Argentina started to take control but they failed to convert their best chance of the match in the 88th minute with Rodriguez hitting the post from Zabaleta's cross.

 

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Scotland 0-0 USA: Stalemate for Strachan's troops

Scotland held the USA to a goalless draw to show further signs of improvement since losing 5-1 to the same opponents last year.

Robert Snodgrass forced Tim Howard into a fine save in the second half, while substitute Aron Johannsson was thwarted by a brilliant David Marshall save in the last 10 minutes at Hampden Park.

The result means Scotland are undefeated in three games for the first time since September 2011.

Jurgen Klinsmann left out the likes of Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, who are involved in the MLS play-offs, and Scotland controlled the opening exchanges, with Steven Fletcher heading over a Snodgrass cross.

But America have scored 16 goals in their last four friendlies and always carried a threat. Sunderland striker Altidore had an early sight of goal but fired over from 20 yards.

Fletcher was brought down on the edge of the area by Omar Gonzalez after 23 minutes, which gave Charlie Mulgrew a very presentable shooting opportunity but his curling effort sailed over.

The home side continued to look dangerous and should have scored after 34 minutes when Fletcher fed Craig Conway on the left but with just the goalkeeper to beat, he elected to go near post and slotted wide.

The first shot on target for either side arrived in the second minute of the second half when Sacha Kljestan and Altidore linked up before the latter shot straight at Marshall.

Scotland forced Howard into a fine save after 52 minutes when Steven Whittaker's marauding run was ended 30 yards out by Geoff Cameron's foul and Snodgrass curled a beautiful free-kick over the wall that the Everton goalkeeper did well to tip over on his 95th appearance for his country.

Altidore was inches away from putting the visitors on the way to their 17th victory this year after 58 minutes when Cameron intercepted a poor Mulgrew touch and fed the striker but his rasping drive went just wide with Marshall well beaten.

The USA showed the form late on that helped them win 12 consecutive wins earlier this year. Grant Hanley failed to clear inside his own area after 82 minutes and Johannsson forced Marshall into a smart low save before Hanley made amends by making a crucial intervention with Altidore waiting for a tap-in.

A minute later, substitute Brek Shea broke down the left and fed Johannson, who made space in the box but skewed wide as the game ended 0-0.

 

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England 0-2 Chile: Alexis double ends Hodgson's unbeaten run

Alexis Sanchez's brace proved the difference as an assured Chile handed England a 2-0 defeat, their first for a year at Wembley.

The Barcelona forward scored three times in his country's last two FIFA World Cup qualification games as they plotted a successful route to the finals in Brazil, and he stole in to net a seventh-minute header ahead of Leighton Baines, who was given the nod ahead of Ashley Cole at left-back for England.

Chile's slick interplay regularly caused problem's for England's defence, but visiting goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was forced into sharp stops from Frank Lampard and Jack Wilshere in an enjoyably open first-half.

The usual flurry of substitutions after the break disturbed the game's flow as England's failure to locate the final pass undermined their efforts and, in injury time, Gary Cahill carelessly gave away possession and Sanchez produced a superb chipped finish to put gloss on the victory.

In the first of three friendlies before selecting his final 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil, England manager Roy Hodgson handed debuts to Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster and in-form Southampton duo Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez.

Chile were without key man Arturo Vidal, who suffered a thigh strain in Juventus's 3-0 weekend win over Napoli.

England started brightly but after Phil Jones and James Milner tested an uncertain-looking Bravo, opposite number Forster’s first act was to pick the ball out of his net.

Jones' block thwarted Charles Aranguiz, only for Sanchez to dive across Baines and head home when Jean Beausejour sent the ball back into England's box from the left.

Forster beat away Beausejour’s 14th-minute effort as a busy night shaped up for both goalkeepers - Bravo athletically turning Lampard’s deflected free-kick over the crossbar before fisting Jack Wilshere’s rasping left-footer away.

But England remained defensively unsettled by Chile’s pace and directness and, after Gary Medel wasted a free header, Beausejour offered an ill-fitting conclusion to a wonderful 31st-minute counter- by failing to get a shot off as Forster forced him wide.

Just as Chile’s passing game was starting to dominate, England produced their best move of the match in the 44th minute – Wilshere and Wayne Rooney combining to feed Lallana, whose shot was deflected past the far post.

Despite a flurry of corners early in the second period, England were chasing shadows once more as Chile weaved through their defensive efforts and Eugenio Mena's cross was fumbled by Forster.

The first contribution of substitutes Chris Smalling and Gonzalo Jara was to receive bookings for an altercation at an England corner with an hour played after Baines’ free-kick dropped wide via the wall.

By that time, regular substitutions had taken their toll on the contest but Sanchez was still on hand to provide a delightful finale.

He stole in deep into injury time as the visitors claimed an upset win.

 

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Republic of Ireland 3-0 Latvia: O’Neill & Keane era off to a flying start

Robbie Keane scored his 62nd international goal as Martin O'Neill's reign as Republic of Ireland boss started with a 3-0 win over Latvia.

O'Neill and his assistant Roy Keane would have seen plenty of encouraging signs in a dominant display against a poor Latvia side on Friday.

Keane scored the first goal of the O'Neill era with a typical poacher's finish from close range and Ireland's all-time leading scorer could easily have helped himself to a hat-trick.

Aiden McGeady made the most of his recall to the starting line-up by scoring a second goal and Shane Long added a third 11 minutes from time as Latvia showed just why they are ranked 117th in the world.

A trip to Poland on Tuesday should give O'Neill a better indication of the task he has on his hands ahead of the UEFA European Championships qualifying campaign.

O'Neill made six changes to the team that beat Kazakhstan last month, with wingers McGeady and James McClean among those to be given a chance from the start.

Latvia coach Marian Pahars, meanwhile, brought in goalkeeper Andris Vanins at the expense of veteran Aleksandrs Kolinko as one of four changes following the draw with Slovakia.

Midfielder James McCarthy could have opened the scoring after just two minutes, with his venomous volley looking destined for the back of the net until it struck John O'Shea in a congested penalty area.

Vanins then escaped a booking when he handled outside the area after 11 minutes and redeemed himself by thwarting Keane after the resulting free-kick was well worked to allow the striker a shot on goal.

Keane was not to be denied 10 minutes later, though, when he struck from close range after McGeady's corner was flicked into his path by McClean.

The LA Galaxy man almost doubled Ireland's lead two minutes later as Latvia defenders backed off, but his measured right-foot strike was palmed away by the agile Vanins.

Ireland continued to enjoy plenty of possession in the second half, but were wasteful in the final third. McClean should have done better 12 minutes after the break when he blazed over the crossbar after Wes Hoolahan picked him out.

The elusive second goal finally arrived after 67 minutes when McGeady capitalised on a sloppy pass and beat Sion keeper Vanins at his near post with a right-foot strike from 25 yards out.

And an unmarked Long got on the end of Seamus Coleman's cross to tuck home a third 11 minutes from time with Latvia's defence at sixes and sevens.

Vanins then produced a fine fingertip save to keep out Anthony Stokes' rising shot late on as Ireland secured a comfortable win.

 

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Greece 3-1 Romania: Masterful Mitroglou puts hosts in control of the tie

Two goals from Konstantinos Mitroglou saw Greece beat Romania 3-1 in Piraeus on Friday and seize control of their World Cup play-off.

The Olympiakos star - who has been in superb form this season - scored either side of a Dimitris Salpingidis strike to cancel out Bogdan Stancu's early equaliser and ensure they go into next week's second leg in Bucharest as favourites to qualify.

Mitroglou claimed his first with a cushioned volley, before the visitors equalised five minutes later courtesy of Stancu's header.

Salpingidis regained the lead for Greece almost immediately with a tap in, and Mitroglou netted his second of the game in the 66th minute with another volley before Costin Lazar was sent off in stoppage time.

Both sides made three changes from their last group-stage qualifiers, with Borussia Dortmund's Sokratis Papastathopoulos among those to return for the hosts while Bogdan Lobont lined up in goal for Romania after first-choice goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu injured his back in training.

The first action of note brought the opening goal in the 14th minute, as Salpingidis' lofted pass caught the visiting defence square and Mitroglou was left all alone to volley home from 12 yards.

Greece's lead lasted just five minutes, though, as Stancu nodded home from a tight angle at the far post after getting on the end of Gabriel Torje's free kick from the left.

That was the first goal Greece had conceded at home in their qualifying campaign, but it appeared to have no ill effect as they restored their advantage immediately.

Georgios Samaras found Vasilis Torosidis on the right hand side, and his cushioned first-time cross was converted by Salpingidis sliding in at the far post.

Six minutes before the break, Razvan Cocis wasted a golden chance to equalise when he blazed over from 10 yards following Cristian Tanase's penetrating pass.

After a quiet start to the second period, Mitroglou doubled the hosts' advantage midway through the half.

Samaras' left-wing free kick was flicked on by Konstantinos Katsouranis and the ball was allowed to travel across the box to Mitroglou, who volleyed home with aid of a deflection.

Lobont denied Mitroglou his hat-trick six minutes later, and substitute Theofanis Gekas had an 89th-minute strike ruled out for offside before Romania's substitute Lazar saw red in stoppage time for a second bookable offence.

Samaras then missed a golden opportunity to all but seal Greece's place at Brazil 2014 when he headed over from six yards in injury time, but Fernando Santos' side still head to Bucharest in control of the tie at the halfway stage.

 

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Italy 1-1 Germany: European giants shares spoils in Milan

Italy came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw on home turf against fellow European giants Germany on Friday.

The visitors looked on course to end their 18-year winless streak against the Azzurri at the seventh attempt before Cesare Prandelli's equalised via Ignazio Abate.

Joachim Low's 100th match as Germany coach got off to a perfect start as Mats Hummels headed in Toni Kroos' pin-point corner in the first 10 minutes.

Italy levelled just before the 30th minute, though, as Abate and Leonardo Bonucci linked up impressively inside the area, with the Juventus man picking up an assist courtesy of an audacious flicked pass.

The home side improved after the break but were almost stunned by a late Benedikt Howedes strike that crashed off the post.

Both coaches named strong teams as Mario Balotelli was picked to lead the line for Italy, while Mario Gotze started the match as the most advanced player for Germany in a false nine role.

Philipp Lahm insisted revenge for their Euro 2012 semi-final defeat against Italy was not on Germany's mind, but they certainly proved a point with a dominant opening 25 minutes.

Their use of the ball was impressive in the early stages and they took an eighth-minute lead as Hummels headed Kroos' corner in off the post, while Marcell Jansen nodded a similar delivery just wide two minutes later.

Despite the superiority of Low's side, Italy drew level in the 28th minute as Abate played a one-two with Bonucci before firing low past Manuel Neuer.

Andre Schurrle went close to restoring the visitors' lead just after the half-hour mark, but his volleyed effort from 25 yards struck the crossbar and went over.

Italy showed more urgency at the start of the second half and created a good chance in the 51st minute as Andrea Pirlo fed Claudio Marchisio into the area, but his left-footed shot was palmed away by Neuer.

Riccardo Montolivo was the next to go close for Prandelli's men, but after Domenico Criscito's low cross was cut out, the AC Milan midfielder pounced only to have his close-range effort blocked by Jerome Boateng.

With Italy generally in control, Low made the decision to introduce Mesut Ozil and Marco Reus from the bench just past the hour, but they struggled to make an impact against the hosts' resolute backline.

Thiago Motta was lucky to escape a red card in the final 10 minutes after striking Kroos on the nose in retaliation for a foul.

And with the last kick of the match, centre-back Howedes fired a powerful effort against the post that bounced to safety.

 

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Turkey 1-0 Northern Ireland: Erdinc strike sinks O'Neill's men

Mevlut Erding's goal on the stroke of half-time was enough to earn Turkey a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in Adana on Friday.

The Saint-Etienne striker latched onto a deft lofted ball from Ersan Bulum and toe-ended a predatory volley beyond Roy Carroll in the first minute of first-half stoppage time.

Michael O’Neill's visitors rarely threatened against a side placed 50 positions above them in the FIFA world rankings and have now won just one of their last 19 fixtures.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim made seven changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Netherlands last time out, with Oguzhan Ozyakup, Bilal Kisa and debutant Adem Buyuk among those brought in.

O'Neill, meanwhile, made three alterations, as Aaron Hughes, Jonny Evans and Oliver Norwood started in place of Craig Cathcart, Rory McArdle and Corry Evans.

Despite the fact they had won just one of their last nine home games, the hosts started the match strongly with Buyuk making an impact, seeing a goal ruled out for offside and rattling the crossbar with a header inside the opening 10 minutes.

The pattern of the game was set as Terim’s men probed for the opener, with the visitors' first - and only - attempt on goal of the first period coming just after the half-hour mark when Norwood fired over from 20 yards after some neat interplay.

And Turkey finally made their pressure pay by breaking the deadlock in first-half injury time when Erding diverted Bulum's intelligent pass past the stranded Carroll.

Northern Ireland began the second half with more attacking intent, and finally tested Tolga Zengin in the 58th minute when Norwood shot straight at the Turkey goalkeeper from the edge of the area.

However, O'Neill's side lacked any cutting edge in the final third as they struggled to find a way through the well-organised Turkish defence.

Half-time substitute Burak Yilmaz had a golden opportunity to seal the win for Turkey in the 71st minute but he miscued his header from six yards, before the Galatasaray forward forced substitute Northern Ireland keeper Alan Mannus into a smart save at his near post.

That was the last action of any note, as the game was settled by Erding's fifth international goal.

 

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Iceland 0-0 Croatia: Ten-man hosts battle to draw to keep World Cup hopes alive

Iceland battled to a 0-0 draw despite being reduced to 10 men in the second half of their World Cup play-off first leg with Croatia in Reykjavik on Friday.

Olafur Skulason pulled back Ivan Perisic when the winger was clean through on goal and was given his marching orders, but Lars Lagerback's side - roared on by a vociferous home support - ensured they remain very much in the tie against a Croatia team still low on confidence.

After an even first half, in which chances were at a premium, the game was turned on its head by the dismissal.

Croatia, under the guidance of coach Niko Kovac for the first time, began to enjoy the majority of possession but they were they unable to beat Hannes Halldorsson in the Iceland goal.

The 29-year-old made a string of second-half saves to deny Ivica Olic, Eduardo and Ivan Perisic to keep his side in the tie ahead of the second leg in Zagreb on Tuesday.

Iceland coach Lars Lagerback made two changes to the side that drew with Norway last month, while there were six new faces for Croatia as Eduardo partnered Mario Mandzukic in attack.

And the Brazilian-born forward almost broke the deadlock in the second minute.

The 30-year-old worked his way into the penalty area and, although his scuffed shot beat Halldorsson, it was cleared off the line by Ragnar Sigurdsson.

Alfred Finnbogason offered a prompt response from the hosts, controlling a cross from the left on his chest before seeing his shot well blocked by Vedran Corluka.

Kovac's side began to dominate possession, with Luka Modric pulling the strings, but clear-cut chances remained few and far between.

After wasting an opportunity midway through the half, Perisic brought the first save from Halldorsson shortly before the break, but his long-range effort was straightforward for the goalkeeper.

Iceland's chances were dealt a massive blow five minutes into the second half as Skulason saw red following a tussle with Perisic.

The Croatian got in front of his marker to try and get onto Rakitic's throughball but he was pulled down 20 yards from goal, and the defender was shown a straight red card.

Substitute Olic then forced a fine save from Halldorsson in the 55th minute as Croatia began to dominate. The striker slid in to meet an Eduardo cross but was denied by an excellent reflex stop.

Perisic had a final chance to win the game with seven minutes to play, but he wasted the opportunity as he volleyed wide of goal, with Modric's wild late drive from distance the only remaining chance the visitors could muster as both sides prepare for the second leg next week with everything to play for.

 

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Swaziland 0-3 South Africa: First Bafana Bafana goal for Nthethe

Half-time substitute Bongani Zungu scored one and created another as South Africa recorded a comfortable 3-0 friendly victory in Swaziland.

The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder came on at the break with the visitors struggling to make a breakthrough against a side who sit 122 places below them in the Fifa rankings.

And coach Gordon Igesund's decision to introduce the 21-year-old proved to be an inspired move, as South Africa soon found themselves two up four minutes into the second half.

First, Zungu combined well with fellow substitute Lennox Bacela to send Reneilwe Letsholonyane through on goal and the midfielder made no mistake in slotting the ball beyond Swaziland goalkeeper Nhlanla Gwebu.

And South Africa doubled their advantage a minute later as Zungu rounded Gwebu for a simple finish.

Thabo Nthete added a third after 63 minutes with a low volley as South Africa moved out of sight against their unfancied opponents.

South Africa will next face a step up in class on Tuesday when they welcome world champions Spain to Johannesburg.

 

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Portugal 1-0 Sweden: Ronaldo saves Seleccao from Scandinavian stalemate

Cristiano Ronaldo scored with eight minutes to go on Friday to give Portugal a slender 1-0 advantage over Sweden in their World Cup play-off tussle.

The pre-match build up for the Estadio da Luz clash on Friday had been dominated by which Ballon d'Or hopeful - Ronaldo or Zlatan Ibrahimovic - would stand out for their side.

Both men failed to match their usual exceptional standards, but it was Ronaldo who earned the plaudits with a diving header in the closing stages to give his side a slender advantage ahead of the return fixture on Tuesday.

Portugal - who were looking for their first-ever victory over Sweden on home soil - had the majority of the possession in the first half, but it was the visitors who created the best chances, with Sebastian Larsson testing Rui Patricio and Kim Kallstrom going close with a 25-yard free kick.

Backed by a partisan home crowd, Portugal improved after the break and got their reward when Ronaldo stooped low to head home Miguel Veloso’s cross with eight minutes left.

Ronaldo returned to the starting XI after missing the 3-0 qualifying victory over Luxembourg through suspension, while Ibrahimovic was also back from a one-match ban for Sweden.

Portugal could have taken the lead as early as the fifth minute when Raul Meireles’ through-ball opened up the Sweden defence and Joao Moutinho rounded Andreas Isaksson, but from a tight angle he shot into the side-netting.

From the next attack, the hosts were almost caught out when Johan Elmander flashed an effort just wide from Mikael Lustig's centre.

It was Sweden who continued to create the better openings of the first half, and Patricio soon had to react well to a low drive from Larsson, before Kallstrom fired a free kick just wide of the post.

After struggling to create chances in the opening period, Portugal began the second half with more intent and after a bout of pinball in the Sweden box, Lustig had to be aware to clear on the goalline.

Nani - who had a quiet first half - sparked the game into life again in the 54th minute when he fired in a low cross that Per Nilsson put behind for a corner with Helder Postiga waiting to pounce.

The home side continued to create the better second-half openings and Postiga again flashed a near-post header from Moutinho's corner just wide.

They were finally rewarded in the 82nd minute when Miguel Veloso’s teasing cross was met by Ronaldo, who headed across Isaksson.

The game could have had more gloss when another Ronaldo header rebounded off the post with five minutes remaining but Portugal had to settle for their one-goal advantage ahead of the second leg in Solna.