Russia 1 - Azerbaijan 1; Portugal 3 - Luxembourg 0; Northern Ireland 1 - Israel 1

Photo by Tofik Babayev

Russia were visiting Azerbaijan in Baku.  Russia needed merely a draw to assure themselves a berth at Brasil 2014.  On the quarter hour mark, Russia nosed ahead.  Alexander Samedov played a perfect throughball between the two Azerbaijani centerbacks.  Roman Shirokov received the pass and calmly beat the goalkeeper for 1-0.  Alexey Kozlov (pictured, red #22) nearly curled a ball in through a mass of people, but a late reaction save from Azerbaijan goalkeeper Kamran Aghayev was enough to maintain the score as it was.  Russia led 1-0 at halftime.

A defensive miscue from Volodimir Levin gave Russia an easy chance for 2-0.  Alexander Kerzhakov had the goal at his mercy, but the diving one-handed stab from Aghayev prevented the score.  With all the chances they were creating, the Russians were surely frustrated by having scored only one time.  Maksim Medvedev was sent off in minute 73 for a bad tackle on Kerzhakov at midfield, leaving Azerbaijan down a goal and down a man with time not on their side.  In the final minute of regulation, Azerbaijan leveled the score.  A long free kick was swung in by Mahir Shukurov, and Vagif Javadov was able to rise and connect with a header that found its way into the goal.  Russia hold on for a 1-1 draw and clinch a berth in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Portugal are relegated to the playoffs.

Israel closed their campaign at home in Ramat Gan against Northern Ireland.  An injury midway through the first period to Corry Evans meant an early lineup shuffle for the visitors.  After a bouncing ball in the box bamboozled the Northern Irish defense, Eden Ben Basat had a shot at an empty net for Israel.  However, Craig Cathcart made a sliding block at the last moment to prevent a goal.  A vastly superior Israel side finally got their goal, taking advantage of lax marking on Ben Basat.  A cross from Eyal Meshumar on the right wing found Ben Basat between the two centerbacks, and Ben Basat powered a header home for the score.  1-0 was the scoreline in favor of Israel at the halftime whistle.

Northern Ireland looked the better side coming out of the break.  Steven Davis looked likely to score, and he eventually did.  Jamie Ward provided him a slotted pass that Davis uncorked into the goal from the half circle to equalize.  Israel tried to win the match in stoppage time, but the visiting defense was stout.  The match ends in a 1-1 draw.

Luxembourg were the visitors as they traveled west to Coimbra to face Portugal.  Minute 27 marked the expulsion of Luxembourg forward Aurelien Joachim for a red card tackle suffered by Andre Almeida.  Portugal did not take long to take advantage of their extra man.  On the half hour mark, a Joao Moutinho pass put a cutting Silvestre Varela into the box.  Varela cut across the momentum of the goalkeeper, causing him to stumble.  Varela beat the slide tackle of Tom Laterza and then easily slotted home for 1-0.  On a one-two-one-two play, Moutinho again was the engine of the Portuguese attack.  After receiving a pass back from Nani, Moutinho drove into the box and then performed an audacious backheel pass to Nani.  Nani was wide open and smoked the ball into the roof of the net for the second goal.  Portugal led 2-0 going into their dressing room.

Nani pounded a header into the crossbar, the best in a slew of missed chances for Portugal.  It took a flicked-on header in the box from Moutinho to add another goal.  The beneficiary of his third assist was Helder Postiga, who easily tapped in for the finish.  Portugal win 3-0 but are consigned to the UEFA Playoffs thanks to Russia's draw.

Russia 22 pts IN
Portugal 21 pts
Israel OUT
Azerbaijan OUT
N Ireland OUT
Luxembourg OUT

Goals
Russia
Roman Shirokov 15

Azerbaijan
Vagif Javadov 90

Israel
Eden Ben Basat 43

Northern Ireland
Steven Davis 72

Portugal
Silvestre Varela 29
Nani 36
Helder Postiga 78

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/15/4840560/azerbaijan-vs-russia-uefa-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/10/15/uk-soccer-world-azerbaijan-idUKBRE99E0VH20131015
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2461611/Israel-1-Northern-Ireland-1-Steven-Davis-rescues-point-Tel-Aviv.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24439761
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2013/1015/480614-israel_northern-ireland/
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/92592/israel-vs-northern-ireland/report?
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/15/israel-northern-ireland-world-cup-qualifier
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/15/4841380/portugal-vs-luxembourg-final-score-result
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/92593/portugal-vs-luxembourg/report?
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/worldcup/story/portugal-3-0-luxembourg-world-cup-qualifying-101513

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMc0UMHDdMs (Russia v. Azerbaijan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ntD_B5Kk54 (Northern Ireland v. Israel)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVb3vasZeJ8 (Portugal v. Luxembourg)