Israel 1 - Portugal 1; Azerbaijan 2 - Northern Ireland 0; Russia 4 - Luxembourg 0

Northern Ireland made the trip east to take on Azerbaijan in Baku.  Chris Brunt was left open from distance, so he unleashed a powerful shot, but Azerbaijan goalkeeper Kamran Aghayev was up to the task with a one-handed stab save off a dive.  Martin Paterson sent in a lightning-fast cross midway through the half, but Jamie Ward's header was saved by the quick reflexes of Aghayev.  Rauf Aliyev nearly put the home side out in front, but his well-hit volley attempt was saved by diving Northern Ireland goalkeeper Roy Carroll.  Brunt was left open from distance again, and against Aghayev made a diving stop to prevent an opener.  A lively first half ended 0-0.

Araz Abdullayev began a nifty interplay that gave Azerbaijan the opening goal.  He slipped a pass into tight space for Aliyev, who then slotted across for Rufat Dadashov.  Dadashov provided the finish to make it 1-0 in favor of the Azerbaijanis.  The game really opened up in the final five minutes.  The visitors were very unlucky not to be level when an all-out assault let to a blazing shot from Paterson, but the post denied a goal.  Jonny Evans was sent off for a red card in second half stoppage time for Northern Ireland when he took down Aliyev on purpose in order to prevent a turnover on the edge of the penalty area.  Mahir Shukurov made Evans pay by scoring off the free kick from the half circle, which proved to be the final kick of the match.  Azerbaijan win 2-0, earning their first victory of the campaign.

Luxembourg were coming off their first victory of the campaign and were at home in Luxembourg to face group leaders Russia.  Russia were quickly out of the gate.  Sustained early pressure led to a goal within the first ten minutes.  Alexander Samedov's shot to the far post was not kept up by the desperate outstretched leg of Luxembourg defender Chris Philipps.  Samedov played provider later in the half, but Alexander Kerzhakov somehow botched the unmarked header from six yards.  Roman Shirokov was given time on the ball in Russia's attacking third, so he picked out a chipped cross, allowing Victor Fayzulin to slide into the ball.  The shot bounced off the ground and into the roof of the net for 2-0.  Denis Glushakov added a third goal in stoppage time when he found himself alone against the goalkeeper.  Russia were ahead 3-0 at the break.

At the hour mark Kerzhakov blew another open header, denying an assist to Dmitry Kombarov.  Kombarov was undeterred by the earlier mishap, so he played a probing pass forward to Kerzhakov.  This time, the ball was on the ground, and Kerzhakov redirected it into the goal for Russia's fourth tally.  Philipps nearly pulled a goal back in stoppage time, but Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev quickly went to ground to make the catch.  Russia win 4-0 and are atop the group with only one fixture left to play.

Portugal really needed a win at home in Lisbon against Israel in order to keep alive a realistic chance of winning the group.  Portugal were pressing the issue early but were nearly caught on a counterattack after a missed steal by Andre Almeida gave Eden Ben Basat a chance at goal for Israel.  The chance was not converted.  Portugal nearly grabbed a goal themselves, but Israel goalkeeper Dudu Aouate tipped over from a Nani shot.  A long cross from Ruben Micael on the left flank for Portugal was headed sharply by centerback Pepe across the face of goal.  Ricardo Costa lunged head-first into the ball for a diving header goal to give the hosts the lead.  Portugal led 1-0 at intermission.

Costa nearly had a second goal, but his bounced header from inside the six-yard box jumped over the crossbar.  Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio undid his side's good work five minutes from time.  Patricio muffed a clearance horribly.  The ball went straight to Ben Basat, who merely had to dribble a couple yards before hitting the equalizing goal.  Credit must go to Israeli substitute Omer Damari for applying pressure on the clearance.  The match ends in a 1-1 draw, eliminating Israel from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Russia now need only a point in their final game at Azerbaijan to clinch a spot as Group F winners.

Russia 21 Pts +15
Portugal 18 pts +8
Israel OUT
Azerbaijan OUT
N Ireland OUT
Luxembourg OUT

Goals
Azerbaijan
Rufat Dadashov 58
Mahir Shukurov 90+5

Russia
Alexander Samedov 9
Victor Fayzulin 39
Denis Glushakov 45+2
Alexander Kerzhakov 73

Portugal
Ricardo Costa 26

Israel
Eden Ben Basat 85

Match Reports:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24393743
http://www.goal.com/en-my/match/92588/azerbaijan-vs-northern-ireland/report?
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/11/4828816/luxembourg-vs-russia-uefa-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/92590/portugal-vs-israel/report?
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-in-good-spirits-after-surprise-1-1-tie-with-portugal/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqjp03dV-28 (Azerbaijan v. Northern Ireland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6W866zB6jU (Russia v. Luxembourg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmAgOz0KMVg (Israel v. Portugal)