Senegal 1 - Uganda 0; Angola 4 - Liberia 1

Liberia paid a visit to Angola in Lubango as both teams ended their campaigns today.  Eddie Wulue misplayed an attempted clearance off an Angolan corner in the second minute, allowing Guedes a free swing at a volley from within the six-yard box to put Angola ahead 1-0.  That proved to be the only goal of the half.  Angola were ahead 1-0 at intermission.

Mabululo made a fantastic solo run, slaloming around two Liberian defenders before crossing to the back post.  Ary Papel received the pass, dribbled backward with the goalkeeper coming to pressure, and then shot at goal.  The ball rolled along the goal line until Mabululo tapped in for 2-0.  A one-two-one play from Guilherme Afonso and Guedes was finished from seventeen yards by Afonso for 3-0.  Three minutes after that it was 4-0 after Abdul scored from a completely unmarked header in the box off a corner kick.  Liberia pulled back a consolation goal with ten minutes to play.  A Sylvanus Nimley pass set up Marcus Macauley to finish from eighteen yards away.  Gideon Williams received a red card for Liberia in minute 88 to end all home of a comeback.  Angola win convincingly 4-1.

Marrakesh, Morocco was the site of Senegal's nominal home matchup against Uganda.  Uganda needed a victory or else Senegal would win Group J and advance to round three.  Defender Godfrey Walusimbi was kicked off the pitch for a red card in minute 36 after a studs-up challenge on Gassama Lamine, leaving Uganda a man down.  Uganda were able to make it to halftime with the score 0-0.

Uganda held tough despite being a man down, but they had to open up and go for goal or else be eliminated.  Finally, the man advantage paid dividends for Senegal with six minutes to play in the match.  Moussa Sow ran onto a ball forward from Dame Ndoye inside the Uganda area.  Sow got a pass off beyond the coverage of Andrew Mwesigwa (pictured, yellow) to a wide open Sadio Mane at the far post.  Mane made the tap-in to put Senegal ahead.  Senegal win 1-0 and secure a spot in the next round of qualifying by virtue of winning Group J.  Uganda are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Senegal 12 pts IN
Uganda OUT
Angola OUT
Liberia OUT

Goals
Angola
Guedes 2
Mabululu 47
Guilherme Afonso 60
Abdul Nyazinawo 63

Liberia
Marcus Macauley 80

Senegal
Sadio Mane 84

Match Reports:
http://www.redpepper.co.ug/senegal-10-uganda/
http://www.kawowo.com/index.php/football/item/16073-cranes-player-rating-senegal-1-1-uganda.html
http://www.redpepper.co.ug/live-senegal-vs-uganda/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARwexo88kGY (Angola v. Liberia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAaGFnIHS-Q (Senegal v. Uganda)

Cape Verde 2 - Tunisia 0; Sierra Leone 3 - Equatorial Guinea 2

Freetown was the site for Sierra Leone's home match against Equatorial Guinea.  Sierra Leone took a lead soon after the twenty-minute mark passed through a Mustapha Bangura goal.  A penalty kick was converted by Sierra Leone to double their lead with just over five minutes to play in the first period.  The hosts lead 2-0 going into halftime.

Twenty minutes from time, Alhassan Kamara scored a goal for Sierra Leone to put the match beyond doubt.  3-0 was the score.  Equatorial Guinea pulled back two goals in the final three minutes, but they could not complete the miraculous comeback.  Sierra Leone win 3-2.

Cape Verde, previously eliminated but later given new life due to sanctions against Equatorial Guinea, needed a victory and only a victory to avoid elimination in Rades today.  Hosts Tunisia needed only a draw to advance and had yet to lose in the tournament.  Tunisia had the first decent chance of the match, but Cape Verde were not overawed by the occasion.  A Cape Verdean cross was not swept away by Aymen Abdennour, leaving Platini a simple finish once the ball reached him.  The visitors had their vital 1-0 lead.  Not quite a quarter hour had elapsed before the Blue Sharks struck again.  A run up the right side of the pitch by Marco Soares dragged both Tunisian defenders wide, allowing for a simple pass into the box to put Heldon Ramos (pictured, blue) in against the goalkeeper.  Ramos won that battle, and Cape Verde took a 2-0 advantage with them into their locker room.

Tunisia had the better of play in the second half, but Cape Verde had the best chance.  Ryan Mendes was alone against the Tunisia goalkeeper but struck his shot straight into the body of Moez Ben Chirifia.  Cape Verde shock the world and win 2-0 in Tunisia, eliminating Tunisia from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  The Blue Sharks will now be one of ten African teams awaiting their fates at the CAF Third Round draw ceremony on 16 September 2013.

Cape Verde 12 pts IN
Tunisia OUT
Sierra Leone OUT
Equatorial Guinea OUT

Goals
Sierra Leone
Mustapha Bangura 21
Ibrahim Kargbo 39 PK
Alhassan Kamara 70

Equatorial Guinea
Jimmy Bermudez 87
Juvenal 89

Cape Verde
Platini 28
Heldon Ramos 42

Match Reports:
http://www.cafonline.com/competition/world-cup_2014/news/17880-cape-verde-shock-tunisia-in-world-cup.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ztiG7efJao (Cape Verde v. Tunisia)

Azerbaijan 1 - Israel 1

Azerbaijan made the trek to Ramat Gan to face off against Israel.  Israel had the better of the possession in the first half, yet it would be Azerbaijan who twice forced saves out of Israel goalkeeper Dudu Aouate (pictured, yellow).  The half ended as it began, 0-0.

A sloppy Israel team were made to pay shortly after the hour mark.  Rahid Amirguliyev picked up a long rebound and decided to have a go from thirty yards.  The result was a wonder goal to put Azerbaijan ahead 1-0.  Israel then threw more men into attack.  Lior Refaelov advanced the ball up the pitch for Israel and then hit a through ball out left for Ofir Davidzada.  Davidzada quickly passed laterally to an open Itay Schechter, who managed to get enough on the ball to push it into the goal for the equalizer.  Israel could not find a second goal, so the match ends in a 1-1 draw that does Israel no real good in the chase for Brasil 2014.

Portugal 17 pts +8
Russia 15 pts +9
Israel 12 pts +7
N. Ireland 6 pts -5
Azerbaijan OUT
Luxembourg OUT

Goals
Azerbaijan
Rahid Amirguliyev 61

Israel
Itay Schechter 73

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/9/8/4704868/israel-vs-azerbaijan-final-score-result

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncjqO9dZdYc

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_cxYcCCz28

Morocco 1 - Cote d'Ivoire 1; Gambia 2 - Tanzania 0

Gambia closed their qualifying campaign at home in Bakau against Tanzania.  Mustapha Jarjue scored with the half coming to a close to give Gambia a 1-0 lead at the break.

Jarjue scored his second of the day six minutes after the restart to double the Gambian lead.  The home side coasted to the finish line, and Gambia win 2-0.

Morocco made the trip south to Abidjan to square off against Cote d'Ivoire in the final Group C match.  Abdelaziz Barrada had a volleyed shot attempt for Morocco that Cote d'Ivoire goalkeeper Boubacar Barry was able to save.  Didier Drogba (pictured, orange) had a shot cleared off the line by the Moroccan defense. Gervinho and Drogba were a dangerous pair up front for the Elephants, but no goals were found in the opening stanza.

A defensive lapse cost the Ivoirians early in the second half.  Omar El Kaddouri played a through ball straight up the middle of the pitch for Youssef El Arabi, who scored from the half circle as Barry was retreating toward his line.  With less than ten minutes to go, Ya Konan struck a cross the El Kaddouri handled inside the Moroccan penalty area.  Cote d'Ivoire converted their penalty kick to tie the game.  The match ends in a 1-1 draw.

Goals
Gambia
Mustapha Jarjue 45, 51

Morocco
Youssef El Arabi 53

Cote d'Ivoire
Didier Drogba 83 PK

Match Reports:
http://us.soccerway.com/news/2013/September/07/fifa-world-cup-qualifying-ivory-coast-1-morocco-1/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcScxb4DzoI (Morocco v. Cote d'Ivoire)

Burkina Faso 1 - Gabon 0; Niger 2 - Congo 2

Ouagadougou and hosts Burkina Faso welcomed Gabon to town for their crucial final qualifying match of the CAF Second Round.  Gabon needed a win and a Congo loss in the other Group E match being played simultaneously in order to advance.  Burkina Faso needed a win and for Congo not to win in order to advance.  No goals were scored in the first period.

Nearly ten minutes into the second period, Burkina Faso played a cross into the danger area.  Prejuce Nekoulma headed a powerful strike into the goal to give The Stallions a lead.  Burkina Faso were now hoping for help from Niger, having already held up their end of the bargain.  Burkina Faso win 1-0.  The result eliminates Gabon from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Niamey and hosts Niger looked to spoil the dreams of visiting Congo.  A Congo victory over the last-place hosts would see Congo through to the next round, but a slip-up would likely see their dreams shattered.  Mahamane Cisse drove up the left side of the Congolese defense and then shot from a very obtuse angle to score at the near post for the opener.  Niger were ahead 1-0 at halftime, but Congo were still in position to advance with Burkina Faso and Gabon all square at halftime in the other match.

Congo drew level midway through the second half.  A cross from the right bounced just out of reach of a pair of players, freezing the Niger goalkeeper Kassaly Daouda (pictured, blue) at his near post.  Fabrice Nguessi then finished at the far post to level the match.  But four minutes later the hosts had restored their lead.  Daouda Kamilou finish a half volley under pressure from the half circle to make it 2-1.  Six minutes after that, Congo forward Christopher Samba (pictured, red with ball) won a header against Daouda.  His header softly bounced back into play off the crossbar, allowing Ulrich Kapolongo to score the equalizer with a diving header.  Congo were unable to push the third goal across and received no help from Gabon in the other match.  Niger pull out a 2-2 draw against favored Congo, eliminating Congo from the 2014 FIFA World Cup and handing Burkina Faso a berth in the last round of African qualifying.

Burkina Faso 12 pts IN
Congo OUT
Gabon OUT
Niger OUT

Goals
Burkina Faso
Prejuce Nekoulma 54

Niger
Mahamane Cisse 34
Daouda Kamilou 70

Congo
Fabrice Nguessi 66
Ulrich Kapolongo 76

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6tWa67zzBc (Burkina Faso v. Gabon)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxaj2_Y0f0k (Niger v. Congo)

Nigeria 2 - Malawi 0

Nigeria were at home in Calabar to take on Malawi with Group F on the line.  Malawi needed to win to survive, otherwise Nigeria would win the group and advance to round three.  Malawi began the game in a defensive shell, seemingly hoping to catch Nigeria on the counter.  Malawi never found the opening in the first half, but Nigeria rarely were success with their own forays forward.  Ogenye Onazi was given a bit too much team with the ball at his feet, so he lofted a sublime pass from midfield into the box.  The pass found Emmanuel Emenike, who used his second touch to pop the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper to give Nigeria a lead in first half stoppage time.  The Super Eagles were ahead 1-0 after the first forty-five.

Malawi were forced to abandon their shell of safety
 and play football in the second half.  Nnamdi Oduamadi drew a penalty kick for the home side five minutes after the restart when Flames captain James Sangala brought him down inside the Malawi box.  Nigeria converted for a 2-0 cushion.  Malawi now needed three goals to survive, a task made nearly impossible after Limbikani Mzava was given his marching orders for Malawi for a second yellow card in minute 53.  Nigeria thereafter coasted to the finish line.  Nigeria win 2-0 to clinch the Group F title and a spot in the CAF Third Round.  Malawi are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria 12 pts IN
Malawi OUT
Namibia OUT
Kenya OUT

Goals
Nigeria
Emmanuel Emenike 45+1
Victor Moses 51 PK

Match Reports:
http://sport.ng.msn.com/local-football/nigeria-2-0-Malawi
http://allafrica.com/stories/201309090228.html
http://www.punchng.com/sports/nigeria-beat-malawi-2-0-advance-to-final-round/
http://www.goal.com/en-ng/match/82105/nigeria-vs-malawi/report?

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGC3Oznuefs

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGh-prv7MDg

Ethiopia 2 - Central African Republic 1; South Africa 4 - Botswana 1

Durban was the site of one of the two matches being played simultaneously in Group A on its sixth matchday.  South Africa hosted Botswana.  A South Africa win plus an Ethiopia loss or draw would see South Africa through to the next stage.  Botswana needed a win and an Ethiopia loss to go through.  It took nearly half an hour, but Bafana Bafana took the lead to put pressure on Ethiopia.  A Siphiwe Tshabalala corner was flicked on at the near post by Bernard Parker, and a Kermit Erasmus header at the back post gave the hosts a 1-0 lead.  This was Erasmus's first international tally.  Botswana were completely lost defensively, and only poor touches and missed shots let them off the hook.  However, Dean Furman received a through ball in stoppage time for his third chance in a short time frame for South Africa.  Furman this time finished off the inside of the far post for his first international goal.  South Africa were ahead 2-0 at halftime and were receiving good news out of Congo.

Botswana were more settled in the second half, and they provided some punch on the counter.  Jerome Ramatlhakwane pushed a pass forward to his teammate and then rushed into the box where he received the cross and scored with a powerful header to pull Botswana within a goal.  Parker scored on a free kick from the half circle to re-establish a two-goal cushion for Bafana Bafana.  Daine Klate drew a late penalty chance for South Africa that was converted to ice the game.  South Africa win 4-1 and hoped that help would be delivered by Central African Republic.  Botswana are eliminated from the tournament.

Brazzaville, Congo was the "home" venue for Central African Republic as they faced off against group leaders Ethiopia.  Ethiopia needed a win to clinch a spot in the final round of qualifying.  A huge wrench was thrown into Ethiopia's path when they conceded the opening goal midway through the first half.  A weak cross off a Central African free kick should have been punched away by Ethiopia goalkeeper Sisay Banch, but he whiffed.  The ball fell to Salif Keita, who pushed it into the net to give Central African Republic the lead.  A lackluster Ethiopia were in trouble, down 1-0 at halftime with South Africa leading in the other match.

Ethiopia came out with renewed vigor in the second period.  Three minutes in, Adane Girma provided a ball that fell inside the six-yard box.  Ethiopia striker Saladin Said did well to ignore the two players jumping and missing a header chance, allowing Said to trap the ball off the bounce and then immediately shoot it into the net for the equalizer.  With South Africa ahead, however, the Walia Antelopes knew that only a win would suffice for them.  Girma had a second assist, this time setting up Menyahil Teshome at the hour mark.  Teshome's shot combined the choppy bounces of the bad field with a touch from the goalkeeper and a touch off the far post to give Ethiopia the lead they so desperately sought.  Ethiopia found a way to hold on defensively for the rest of the affair.  Ethiopia win 2-1 in comeback fashion to advance.  South Africa are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Ethiopia 13 pts IN
South Africa OUT
Botswana OUT
Cen. Af. Rep. OUT

Goals
South Africa
Kermit Erasmus 28
Dean Furman 45+1
Bernard Parker 84, 89 PK

Botswana
Jerome Ramatlhakwane 73

Ethiopia
Saladin Said 48
Menyahil Teshome 61

Central African Republic
Salif Keita 23

Match Reports:
http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/south-africa-4-1-botswana-bafanas-attacking-approach-152100550--spt.html
http://www.goal.com/en/match/82079/south-africa-vs-botswana/report?
http://nazret.com/blog/index.php/2013/09/07/ethiopia-beat-central-african-republic-2-1-to-advance-to-final-round

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lec_XkqP_HM (South Africa v. Botswana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLmQhbKQUz4 (Ethiopia v. Central African Republic)

Uruguay 2 - Peru 1

Lima and hosts Peru were paid a visit by Uruguay in the night cap of CONMEBOL Matchday Fifteen.  Uruguay were without both starting centerbacks Diego Godin and Diego Lugano, as well as Diego Forlan.  No Diego's, no problem.  Luis Suarez (pictured, blue) was felled in the box with only a couple minutes to play in the half.  He dusted himself off to convert the penalty.  In first half stoppage time, Peru's Victor Yotun was ejected for throwing a ball at Suarez as he lay prone on the field following a foul.  Uruguay led 1-0 and eleven men to ten at halftime.

Midway through the second half, Uruguay had some luck go their way.  Alberto Rodriguez dispossessed Cristian Stuani inside Peru's penalty area, but the ball rolled to Suarez, who blasted into the upper ninety for his second goal of the evening.  With just over five minutes left in the match, Jefferson Farfan stood over a free kick for Peru.  Six men in the wall could not prevent the curling beauty from keeping its appointment with the goal.  Uruguay held on with the extra man and saw the match out to its conclusion without taking further damage.  Uruguay win 2-1.

Argentina 26 pts +16
Colombia 26 pts +15
Chile 24 pts +3
Ecuador 21 pts +4
Uruguay 19 pts -2
Venezuela 16 pts -7
Peru 14 pts -6
Paraguay 11 pts -10
Bolivia OUT

Goals
Uruguay
Luis Suarez 42 PK, 67

Peru
Jefferson Farfan 84

Match Reports:
http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-peru-falls-2-1-in-soccer-match-against-uruguay-100846
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/97324/peru-vs-uruguay/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbiTE31X9Eo

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHQ3oe1AJVw

Costa Rica 3 - United States of America 1

San Jose was the site of the visit of the United States of America to Costa Rica.  Whoever won tonight would go top of the CONCACAF table.  The United States lost midfielder Michael Bradley to an ankle injury during warmups.  Costa Rica were dominant on the left side of their attack all night long as they tore through American right back Michael Orozco.  The Ticos made their intentions clear from the opening minute, as Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz (pictured, red) linked up to get a nice shot on goal.  The resulting corner kick from Campbell was headed in at the near post by Johnny Acosta for a 1-0 lead to Costa Rica.  Just seven minutes later, the Americans hemorrhaged a second goal.  Cristian Bolaños burst down the right side of the American defense, dragging a centerback wide to meet him.  With space into which to cross, Bolaños did, finding Celso Borges for a scoring header.  Orozco made a sliding block to prevent Bolaños from getting a clear shot at a third goal for the Ticos.  Geoff Cameron won a ball in the Costa Rican area and made a zipping pass across to Fabian Johnson, whose wicked shot was somehow misdirected off frame by Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas.  A quick restart from Graham Zusi chipped ball put Johnson in on goal, but he was chopped down by Navas in the box before getting a shot off.  The Yanks converted the penalty kick and were down only 2-1 at the break.

Landon Donovan began finding space for the American attack.  His ball from the left flank was cut in to Clint Dempsey.  Dempsey's effort from just beyond the half circle evaded Navas but not the post.  The Americans looked sure to equalize, but it was a perfect counterattack that did them in tonight.  A booming clearance found Campbell in space with Matt Besler (pictured, blue) on his right shoulder.  Besler was stride for stride with Campbell, but his goalkeeper Tim Howard did not come out to provide assistance, so Campbell was able to create a simple finish for a 3-1 lead.  The Americans could not come back from such a deep hole.  Costa Rica win 3-1 and jump into the lead in the chase for Brasil 2014.

Costa Rica 14 pts +6
USA 13 pts +2
Honduras 10 pts 0
Mexico 8 pts 0
Panama 7 pts -2
Jamaica 3 pts -6

Goals
Costa Rica
Johnny Acosta 3
Celso Borges 10
Joel Campbell 76

United States of America
Clint Dempsey 43 PK

Match Reports:
http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/usnationalteam/id/561?cc=5901
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130907/u-s-costa-rica-three-thoughts/?sct=hp_t11_a0&eref=sihp

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VSZxj7tayE

Jamaica 0 - Panama 0

Panama City and Panama were paid a visit by struggling Jamaica.  The pitch was soggy but still in good condition.  A Roman Torres side volley effort of a Panamanian corner was the best of the half, but Shaun Cummings kneed the ball off the line at the near post.  The half ended 0-0.

Rudolph Austin was sent off for Jamaica for his second booking in minute 58, giving the hosts a half hour to shake off the cobwebs and liven up in attack.  Panama almost scored a fluke goal as a high bouncing ball resulting from a blocked shot nearly snuck in, but O'Brian Woodbine (pictured, yellow) sacrificed his body to clear for a corner as he slid legs open into the post.  Panama could not make their numerical superiority count.  The teams split the spoils 0-0.

Match Reports:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Brave-Boyz-hold-Panama

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYE0-j3mreE

Honduras 2 - Mexico 1

Mexico City and Mexico were trying to shake their home woes with Honduras in town.  Mexico were fantastic early, and they opened the match by passing the ball around for over a minute straight.  The pay off came when Giovanni Dos Santos broke free down the left flank and burst into the box.  Dos Santos slotted across to Oribe Peralta, how squared the ball into the Honduran net to give Mexico a 1-0 lead at home against a team that had yet to score on the road in the CONCACAF Fourth Round.  Mexico were far superior in the first half, but seemed complacent toward the end of the period with their slim lead.  Mexico took the 1-0 lead with them into their locker room.

Honduras threw caution to the wind and brought on a second forward for the second half.  The dividends were realized not quite twenty minutes into the second half.  Carlo Costly (pictured, white) won the second ball off a clearance header while inside the Mexican penalty area.  Costly turned and fired.  His effort was thrust forward by Mexico goalkeeper Jesus Corona, but Honduras substitute forward Jerry Bengston was well placed to push home the rebound.  Two minutes later, Honduras had a shock lead.  A long ball played forward was misplayed by Mexico centerback Diego Reyes, so Costly latched on and drove into the box, from where his shot low and to the far side netting was good.  Roger Espinoza worked hard to drive through the Mexican defense only to see his slotted pass to Bengston fail to produce a goal when Bengston missed the tap-in on the empty net.  Honduras were not made to pay, however, and they held on to their slim lead through the final whistle.  Honduras win 2-1 in Mexico, Mexico's first qualifying loss at home since 16 June 2001.

Goals
Honduras
Jerry Bengston 64
Carlo Costly 66

Mexico
Oribe Peralta 6

Match Reports:
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/latinamerica/story/mexico-1-2-honduras-match-report-jerry-bengston-carlo-costly-090713
http://www.goal.com/en/match/97769/mexico-vs-honduras/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk9WgrxIwIg

Chile 3 - Venezuela 0

Venezuela made the trip down to Santiago to take on suddenly-surging Chile.  A stomach virus made the trip with them, and a majority of the Venezuelan players were dealing with the bug as the took the field.  Chile showed no mercy.  Eduardo Vargas was able to trap a high pass and spin in the Venezuelan penalty area while losing the mark of Venezuela centerback Grenddy Perozo.  Vargas finished his chase to the far corner and gave the hosts a 1-0 lead.  A fantastic through ball from Cesar Gonzalez put Salomon Rondon in on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat, but the would-be equalizer was sent sky high.  At the half hour mark, a Marcelo Diaz cross was nodded to the far post by Arturo Vidal (pictured, red #8), but Venezuela goalkeeper Dani Hernandez intervened with a flying fist.  Marc Gonzalez made no mistake with the rebound, thrusting himself head-first into the ball to give Chile a 2-0 lead.  The halftime scoreboard read Chile 2, Venezuela 0.

Venezuela had a valid goal disallowed for some unknown reason.  A Gonzalez cross was flicked on into the goal by Rondon, who was neither offside nor in contact with any defender during the play.  Notwithstanding the validity of the play, the score remained 2-0, and Venezuela seemed to lose spirit after the call.  Vargas made a fantastic run to the far post and was open to receive the cross, but he forgot that to score a header needs to be on frame.  Vidal and Alexis Sanchez worked a long-range one-two-one for Chile's third goal.  Vidal made a long pass out right and Sanchez popped up a cross long and to the left.  Vidal connected with a diving header, and the hosts were up three.  Chile win 3-0.

Goals
Chile
Eduardo Vargas 10
Marc Gonzalez 30
Arturo Vidal 84

Match Reports:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1764805-chile-vs-venezuela-score-grades-and-post-match-reaction

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVQ2phsCZQU

Paraguay 4 - Bolivia 0

Asuncion was the site of the bottom-of-the-table clash between visiting Bolivia and Paraguay.  Victor Ayala (pictured, red) came up the right side and crossed into the box on a bounce.  His cross evaded a sliding Bolivia defender Abraham Cabrera before being collected and pushed in by Jonathan Fabbro to give the Albirroja a 1-0 lead.  Ronald Raldes prevented a second goal for Paraguay by heading a shot off the line with his goalkeeper out.  Bolivia were lucky to be down only 1-0 at the half.

Just after the restart, Paraguay scored another goal.  A Miguel Samudio cross from the left was flicked on by a Roque Santa Cruz header from twelve yards out into the goal.  With ten minutes to go, Richard Ortiz dispossessed Juan Carlos Arce in midfield and gave the ball to Fabbro.  Fabbro pushed a through ball up to Santa Cruz, who slotted across the box for a streaking Ortiz to finish the play himself with a goal.  3-0 was the score.  Ayala smacked a great corner kick three minutes later that was met by the head of a leaping Gustavo Gomez at the back post and became the fourth goal.  Paraguay win 4-0.  Bolivia are the first South American team eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Goals
Paraguay
Jonathan Fabbro 17
Roque Santa Cruz 47
Richard Ortiz 81
Gustavo Gomez 84

Match Reports:
http://www.conmebol.com/en/content/paraguay-thrashes-bolivia-4-0-and-foot-table
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-improved-paraguay-rout-bolivia-4-0-await-015616052--sow.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDKrmv5ZZ6c

Colombia 1 - Ecuador 0

Rain delayed the start of Colombia's home qualifier against Ecuador.  The pitch in Barranquilla was much too water-logged at the designated kickoff time for the match to get started promptly.  Gabriel Achilier was ejected in minute 28 for tugging Teofilo Gutierrez from behind to prevent a goalscoring opportunity.  James Rodriguez took the resulting free kick and bent it over the wall, but Ecuador goalkeeper Maximo Banguera was able to get down quickly enough to parry the shot away.  A couple minutes later, however, Colombia had the lead.  A shot from distance was meekly pushed away by Banguera, and Rodriguez took the resulting rebound and angled it in at the far post.  Colombia were ahead 1-0 at halftime.

On the hour mark, Ecuador won a penalty kick opportunity after Carlos Sanchez fouled Antonio Valenica in the box, but Walter Ayovi sent the kick wide left, blowing the chance to equalize.  In a scary moment, Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina was kneed in the head while he was rushing forward and sliding to catch a ball.  The game was stopped for a few minutes before Ospina got up and continued playing.  The man disadvantage sapped the energy from Ecuador, and Colombia coasted to the finish line.  The Cafeteros win 1-0.

Goals
Colombia
James Rodriguez 31

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2168966/index.html
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/97325/colombia-vs-ecuador/report#

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRnh7QxCh7I

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaZENUqLpZA

Montenegro 1 - Poland 1; England 4 - Moldova 0; Ukraine 9 - San Marino 0

Lviv was the sight of what proved to be Ukraine's biggest ever win as San Marino were in town.  The match was perhaps the most lopsided off the entire tournament.  Four different Ukrainians scored in the first half as Ukraine took a 4-0 lead.

In the second period, the onslaught continued.  Five different Ukrainians scored in this half, including four new scorers and Ukraine made the best case possible for there to be an opening round in UEFA qualification by thrashing San Marino.  Ukraine win 9-0.

Poland were at home in Warsaw with Montenegro coming in to face them.  Branko Boskovic made a smooth move after receiving a throw-in for Montenegro as he shimmied his way free up the pitch.  He then released a stellar through ball to put Dejan Damjanovic in on stride.  Damjanovich struck the ball cleanly from seventeen yards, and the Montenegrins were ahead 1-0 after ten minutes.  Five minutes later, a lazy pass backward from Montenegro left back Milos Krkotic was picked off by Robert Lewandowski, who proceeded to drive into the box.  Lewandowski held off the challenges of both Mirko Basa and Miodrag Dzudovic (pictured, red #20) and bash home the equalizer.  The half ended with the teams knotted at one goal apiece.

Poland were the team with the better of the play in the second period, but they could not make their superiority pay off until deep into stoppage time.  Poland pushed the ball across the line in a crazy sequence.  First, a bicycle kick was attempted with the goalkeeper coming out to block.  The kick hit a Polish player, bounced away, was passed to another Pole, and then shot into the net.  However, the goalkeeper's desperate attempt to block the bicycle kick left the player into whom the kick was shot in an offside position.  The goal was disallowed, and the match ends in a 1-1 draw.

London was the scene for England's home tilt against Moldova.  A win for England would see them move into a tie for first place in Group H.  A nice passing sequence ten minutes into the match gave England what they needed.  Ashley Cole to Danny Welbeck to Frank Lampard to Steven Gerrard was the sequence, and then Gerrard finished from the top of the penalty box to the inside of the near post.  The Three Lions were ahead 1-0.  A quarter hour later, a wide open Theo Walcott blasted a knuckled shot that the goalkeeper could only manage to fist sideways.  Rickie Lambert was there to head home the rebound for England as the home side were now ahead by two goals.  In stoppage time, Lambert sent in a long pass to Welbeck.  Welbeck used his first touch to go ahead oncoming Moldova goalkeeper Stanislav Namasco before using a second to push home from the penalty spot.  England were up 3-0 at the cessation of play.

Lambert again had himself an assist to Welbeck five minutes after the restart.  Lambert pushed a much shorter through ball to Welbeck, who chipped over Namasco for an angle to give the hosts their fourth goal of the night.  James Milner missed a tap-in late in the match that would have been a fifth for England, but all else was good on this night for the Three Lions.  England win 4-0 at home and eliminate Moldova from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

England 15 pts +22
Montenegro 15 pts +7
Ukraine 14 pts +15
Poland 10 pts +5
Moldova OUT
San Marino OUT

Goals
Ukraine
Marko Devic 11
Yegen Seleznov 26
Edmar 32
Yevhen Khacheridi 45+1, 54
Yevhen Konoplyanka 50
Roman Bezus 63
Artem Fedetskiy 74
Yaroslav Rakitskiy 90+3

Montenegro
Djean Damjanovic 11

Poland
Robert Lewandowski 16

England
Steven Gerrard 12
Rickie Lambert 27
Danny Welbeck 45+1, 50

Match Reports:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/10292206/Ukraine-9-San-Marino-0-match-report.html
http://www.thenews.pl/1/5/Artykul/146512,Polands-World-Cup-dream-in-tatters-after-Montenegro-draw
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008741/postmatch/report/index.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23921240
http://www.ibtimes.com/video-england-4-0-moldova-highlights-lambert-shines-set-england-crunch-world-cup-qualifier-Ukraine
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/sep/06/england-moldova-five-talking-points

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdnLsBSUmsM (Ukraine v. San Marino)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5W0nfRyDWw (Montenegro v. Poland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD3FDuXOZmY (England v. Moldova)

Croatia 1 - Serbia 1; Belgium 2 - Scotland 0; Macedonia 2 - Wales 1

Skopje was the scene as Macedonia hosted Wales.  Wales manager Chris Coleman arrived a day after his team because he forgot his passport.  The hosts grabbed the lead after twenty minutes from a free kick situation.  Macedonia smashed a free kick into the wall, but the ball fell behind the wall for Ivan Trickovski, who made no mistake with his finish to give the home side the lead.  Wales responded well, with Craig Bellamy hitting the post off a free kick.  A quarter hour after having conceded the Welsh had a penalty kick chance.  Aaron Ramsey had done a spin on the end line to get around Trickovski and was taken down in the box.  Ramsey converted the penalty.  The match was poised at 1-1 going into the break.

In the second period, the affair was pretty even with possession being split nearly equally.  With ten minutes to go, Macedonia forced a turnover.  Darko Tasevski made a couple defenders miss in tight space before leaving the ball for Aleksandar Trajkovski.  Trajkovski scored from the half circle to put Macedonia ahead for good.  Macedonia win 2-1 and eliminate Wales from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Belgrade was the scene as eternal rivals Croatia made the trek to hostile Serbia.  Aleksandar Mitrovic missed a golden chance to punch Serbia ahead, but he directed his fierce shot from five yards under little pressure flush into the post to his disbelief.  A few minutes later, Moran Tosic hit a low roller to the far post, but Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa tipped the ball around the post and just out of Mitrovic's reach on the rebound.  Croatia were lucky to be tied at 0-0 after the first half.

Dario Srna gave Croatia a chance against the run of play.  His long through ball beat the defense, leaving Mario Mandzukic alone with a chance at goal that he finished splendidly inside the near post.  Miralem Sulejmani curled into a nice free kick cross for Serbia, and Mitrovic rose to meet it with his head.  The result was his first international goal and a tie game.  Then, the physical tackles began to mount.  The hosts went down a man in minute 75 when Nemanja Matic picked up a second yellow card.  Josip Simunic decided to even the affair again with a horror tackle in the midfield to stop a Serbian break.  He was ejected in minute 80 with a red card after a scissor kick plus elbow combination was used to take down Sulejmani.  The match ends 1-1 and without a fistfight, though nine cards were produced.  However, Serbia are eliminated from the tournament along with Macedonia due to this result.

Belgium were in Glasgow to take on Scotland knowing that a win would all but clinch their berth in Brasil 2014.  The rain had left the pitch rather soaked, but the teams tried to block that out of their minds.  Scotland nearly grabbed a lead from a screamer off the boot of Scott Brown just beyond the half hour mark, but his low drive flew just wide of goal.  Belgium punished the miss soon thereafter.  Kevin de Bruyne sent in a cross that saw three Scottish defenders follow the natural run but Belgium midfielder Stefen Defour drop into space. De Bruyne's cross went into that space, so Defour had a relatively simple finish to give Les Diables Rouges the lead.  Belgium led 1-0 at halftime.

Belgium were the more talented side and that showed through their composure on the ball.  They took a while to seal the deal, waiting until the penultimate minute to double their lead.  Christian Benteke (pictured, red) threaded a pass to Kevin Mirallas at the half circle.  Grant Hanley went for the interception but missed, leaving Mirallas free to turn and run in before providing the finish to end the match.  Belgium win 2-0 and now need only two points to assure qualification.

Belgium 22 pts +13
Croatia 17 pts +6
Serbia OUT
Macedonia OUT
Wales OUT
Scotland OUT

Goals
Macedonia
Ivan Trickovski 21
Aleksandar Trajkovski 80

Wales
Aaron Ramsey 39 PK

Croatia
Mario Mandzukic 53

Serbia
Aleksandar Mitrovic 66

Belgium
Steven Defour 38
Kevin Mirallas 89

Match Reports:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23964942
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/06/macedonia-wales-world-cup-qualifier-matchreport
http://us.soccerway.com/news/2013/September/06/macedonia-2-1-wales-ramsey-penalty-not-enough-for-disappointing-visitors/n238999/
http://inserbia.info/news/2013/09/fifa-world-cup-brazil-2014-serbia-croatia-1-1/
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-croatia-hold-serbia-highly-charged-1-1-222852261--sow.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23962691
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/scotland-0-2-belgium-strachan-s-men-well-beaten-1-3081125
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/06/scotland-belgium-world-cup-qualifier-match-report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny-QolQn_bA (Macedonia v. Wales)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnH2Wm9ig9c (Croatia v. Serbia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22SxbDOp9o8 (Belgium v. Scotland)

Sweden 2 - Ireland 1; Germany 3 - Austria 0; Kazakhstan 2 - Faroe Islands 1

Kazakhstan needed to win at home in Astana against Faroe Islands to remain alive in the chase for Brasil 2014.  A Frodi Benjaminsen strike midway through the period gave the Faroese the lead.  The visitors led 1-0 at the halftime whistle.

The Faroese gave the goal back when Johan Davidsen made a poor challenge while on the ground inside his own box, resulting in a penalty that the Kazakhs converted.  One quarter hour later the Kazakhs were ahead through a goal from Andrey Finonchenko, who finished off a side volley pass by Sergey Khiznichenko.  Kazakhstan win 2-1 for the first victory of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Munich was the site of Austria's visit to Germany.  Germany, as expected, were dominant from the start, but it took more than a half hour to end the deadlock.  A Philip Lahm cross found a sliding Miroslav Klose for a finish at the near post that was helped in by the concurrent slide of Klose's Austrian marker.  This was Klose's 68th goal for his country, making him joint-top goalscorer in German history with Gerd Muller.  Germany were ahead 1-0 at intermission.

Austria were rejuvenated coming out of the locker room, but the surge was short-lived.  Marco Reus coolly picked up a loose ball from an Austrian headed clearance and waited for support.  He found some with Toni Kroos, to whom he passed.  Kroos finished from twenty-one yards away to give Germany their second goal.  Germany finished the match off late.  Benedikt Howedes declined to shoot with the goalkeeper out, inside slotting across for an awkward but simple tap-in for Thomas Muller.  Germany win 3-0.

Dublin was the site for the crucial clash between visiting Sweden and Ireland.  Shane Long played a high ball forward for Ireland.  With his back to his own goal, Mikael Lustig made a poor attempt to head back to his goalkeeper.  Robbie Keane took advantage and rolled the ball softly on frame.  Lustig made the intial recovery to clear off the line, but eventually Keane bungled the ball across to give the Irish the lead.  Lustig made amends later in the half when his belted cross was angled home by Johan Elmander's head to even the affair anew.  The halftime score was Ireland 1, Sweden 1.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was leading a mini breakout for Sweden with Anders Svensson giving him an option with his run.  For some reason, Glenn Whelan went with the runner even though his two centerbacks were playing for offside, so Ibrahimovic made the pass to Svensson, who finished despite pressure from Whelan to put Sweden ahead by one goal.  Ireland could simply not put together any attacking threat for the remainder of the match, so Sweden win 2-1 on the road and eliminate Kazakhstan from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Sweden own second place all by themselves, leaving Austria and Ireland playing catch up.

Germany 19 pts +18
Sweden 14 pts +5
Austria 11 pts +7
Ireland 11 pts +1
Kazakhstan OUT
Faroe OUT

Goals
Kazakhstan
Kairat Nurdauletov 49 PK
Andrey Finonchenko 63

Faroe Islands
Frodi Benjaminsen 23

Germany
Miroslav Klose 33
Toni Kroos 51
Thomas Muller 88

Sweden
Johan Elmander 33
Anders Svensson 57

Ireland
Robbie Keane 21

Match Reports:
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008590/postmatch/report/index.html
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/worldcup/story/germany-3-0-austria-world-cup-qualifying-match-report-miroslav-klose-equals-record-090613
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2414216/Republic-Ireland-1-Sweden-2--match-report.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23923007
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/06/republic-of-ireland-sweden-matchreport

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51-nKZhgZHc (Kazakhstan v. Faroe Islands)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWOqm1bUYkg (Germany v. Austria)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtO-AsS_e_o (Sweden v. Ireland)

Slovakia 1 - Bosnia and Herzegovina 0; Latvia 2 - Lithuania 1; Greece 1 - Liechtenstein 0

Latvia hosted Lithuania for a Baltic derby in Riga.  Off a corner taken by Juris Laizans, Latvia had their opening goal.  Nauris Bulvitis boxed off Lithuania goalkeeper Zhidrunas Karchemarskas, and then rose for a header two yards out for his first international goal.  With less than five minutes to go, Marius Stankevicius was dispossessed inside the Lithuania penalty area and the ball was picked up by Valerijs Sabala.  Sabala pushed back to an open Arturs Zjuzins, whose finish made it 2-0.  Two minutes later, Latvia goalkeeper Andris Vanins spilled an easy catch on his goal line during a corner kick, and Deivydas Matulevicius was able to knee the ball over the line for Lithuania's first goal.  Latvia were ahead 2-1 at the break.

In the second half, the defenses cleaned up their mistakes, and the lack of true dangerous attacks continued during the second half.  All three goals had come from defensive errors rather than offensive force, so with the errors cleaned up no goals were anywhere to be found in the second period.  Latvia win 2-1.

Bosnia and Herzegovina were facing Slovakia at home in Zenica, the first of two meetings over a five-day span between the sides.  Slovakia were the more desperate side given their position in the table, and their emphasis on attack reflected this fate.  Juraj Kucka came closest for Slovakia in the first half, but Amer Begovic dropped quickly enough to save at his near post.  Bosnia were looking more lively by the end of the half, but the teams went into their locker rooms even at zero goals apiece.

Vladimir Weiss was put through via a through ball that left him in a foot race ahead of two Bosnia defenders.  With Begovic coming out to meet him, Weiss had the goal at his mercy from eighteen yards, but he steered just wide.  Viktor Pecovsky was next to try Begovic, but again Begovic came up
trumps.  With barely a dozen minutes left, Pecovsky found the breakthrough.  His shot from the half circle was a slow roller, but a deflection off Bosnian captain Emri Spahic helped it past Begovic, and Slovakia were ahead 1-0.  Slovakia held on through the finish and win 1-0 behind Pecovsky's first international goal.

Vaduz and cellar dwellers Liechtenstein welcomed Greece to town.  Ultra-defensive Liechtenstein were holding out easily against a typically unimaginative Greek side, and the first half was quite forgettable.  0-0 was its score.

The home side had a massive advantage with which to pull the upset when Jose Holebas was sent off for a second yellow in minute 59.  However, Liechtenstein gave a man right back in minute 66 with David Hasler pick up his own second yellow card.  Perhaps the extra space would convince the teams to go for goal.  A long switch from Konstantinos Katsouranis to Vasileios Torosidis opened the Liechtenstein defense enough for Torosidis to slot a ball across to Konstantinos Mitrouglou for a tap-in finish.  Greece win 1-0 behind the solitary goal and move level with Bosnia atop the group table.  The result eliminates not only Liechtenstein but also Lithuania from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Bosnia 16 pts +19
Greece 16 pts +4
Slovakia 12 pts +3
Latvia 7 pts -7
Lithuania OUT
Liechtenstein OUT

Goals
Latvia
Nauris Bulvitis 20
Arturs Zjuzins 42

Lithuania
Deivydas Matulevicius 44

Slovakia
Viktor Pecovsky 77

Greece
Konstantinos Mitroglou 72

Match Reports:
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008707/postmatch/report/index.html
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008698/postmatch/report/index.html
http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014-qualifying/2013/9/8/4703458/liechtenstein-vs-greece-final-score-0-1

Highlights:
http://espnfc.com/video/espnfc/video?id=1546058&cc=5901 (Latvia v. Lithuania)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9pkQpij4a0 (Slovakia v. Bosnia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM4dkSm347E (Greece v. Liechtenstein)

Italy 1 - Bulgaria 0; Armenia 2 - Czech Republic 1; Denmark 2 - Malta 1

Czech Republic were at home in Prague to face Armenia and create a gap between themselves and their challengers for second place in Group B.  Armenia were looking for a second straight upset on the road, having downed Denmark away in the previous fixture.  At the half hour mark, Armenia left their stamp on the game.  Karlen Mkrtchyan drove a ball from twenty-five yards that spun inside out and in toward the near post to put the visitors ahead 1-0.  Armenia took that 1-0 advantage into their dressing room.

With twenty minutes to play, the Czechs found some fantastic fortune.  A basic shot from distance by Tomas Rosicky found the knee of Armenia defender Varazdat Haroyan for a heavy deflection that found its way to goal.  In stoppage time, Yura Movsisyan robbed the ball and drove into the box, from where he pushed the ball into the path of teammate Gevorg Ghazaryan.  Ghazaryan shot off the body of Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech, but the rebound hit Ghazaryan in the head and somehow trickled over the line.  Armenia win 2-1.

Ta'Qali was the site as Denmark visited Malta.  In the second minute of play, Martin Braithwaite settled a long cross to him with his first touch before passing into the box with his second.  Leon Andreasen did well with the finish to put the Danes ahead 1-0.  Simon Kjaer nearly gifted the goal back to Malta with a poor header back to his goalkeeper, but Denmark netminder Stephan Andersen was able to save a shot from Andre Schembri.  Malta were granted a free kick straight-on from twenty yards after Kjaer tripped Schembri.  The duty to take the kick fell to Clayton Failla.  Failla found the top left corner to send the stadium into a frenzy.  The score was 1-1 at the half.

In the early stages of the second period, the Danish lead was restored.  Christian Eriksen made a darting run up the left side of the pitch and cut into the box.  He did his best dance to drag out Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber, and then Eriksen shot at goal.  The ball hit the crossbar and deflected in off the back of a Maltese player for the second Danish goal.  Denmark withstood the influx of Maltese attacking pressure and hold on to win 2-1.

Italy were looking for a win at home in Palermo against second-place Bulgaria.  The match was a wide open affair with both sides free to fire from distance at will.  Both goalkeepers had a few comfortable saves to make, but eventually it would be Italy with the breakthrough.  Antonio Candreva rocked Yordan Minev to the floor with a hesitation move and cross, and Alberto Gilardino was wide open in the box, having left his marker Veselin Minev behind.  Gilardino finished with a simple header, giving Italy a 1-0 to take with them into halftime.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon proved the savior in the second half.  A Todor Nedelev volley found Ivelin Popov near the goalmouth.  Popov's sliding shot had actually made it behind Buffon, but Buffon arched backwards to pop the ball off the goal line.  Buffon next had to save a near own goal with quick reflexes.  Finally, Buffon robbed Dimitar Rangelov of a headed goal with a diving block.  The pressure finally relented.  Italy nearly had a goal through a horrid mistake by Bulgaria goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov.  Mihaylov came to collect on a simple slide, but he dropped the ball, allowing the Italian attacker to shoot at the vacant net.  However, Nikolay Bordurov came to the rescue with a kick block during his desperate retreat.  Bulgaria had a half-chance at the end of stoppage time, but no luck was to be had on this night by the visitors.  Italy win 1-0.

Italy 17 pts +9
Bulgaria 10 pts +6
Czech Rep 9 pts +1
Armenia 9 pts -1
Denmark 9 pts -2
Malta 3 pts -13

Goals
Armenia
Karlen Mkrtchyan 31
Gevorg Ghazaryan 90+2

Czech Republic
Tomas Rosicky 70

Denmark
Leon Andreasen 2
Ryan Camilleri 53 OG

Malta
Clayton Failla 38

Italy
Alberto Gilardino 38

Match Reports:
http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/06/armenia-shocks-czech-republic-to-further-muddy-group-b/
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/09/06/uk-soccer-world-czech-idUKBRE9850YV20130906
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130906/football/malta.485089
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008572/postmatch/report/index.html
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/9/6/4702624/italy-vs-bulgaria-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/92554/italy-vs-bulgaria/report?

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJu3Wb9JAVA (Armenia v. Czech Republic)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4hapIMLE1E (Denmark v. Malta)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ7vXHSgIBw (Italy v. Bulgaria)

Portugal 4 - Northern Ireland 2; Russia 4 - Luxembourg 1

Russia hoped a home date with Luxembourg in Kazan could right their ship after two consecutive qualifying losses.  This match will be remembered as the attack of the Alexander.  Alexander Kerzhakov headed a ball with two men covering him into the path of Alexander Kokorin.  Kokorin saw the Luxembourg netminder off his line, so he flicked a very high chip shot that softly landed in the goal to give Russia the lead within one minute of the opening whistle.  With ten minutes to go in the half, a Dmitry Kombarov free kick from close range was flicked on by the head of Kokorin to the back post.  The halftime score was Russia 2, Luxembourg 0.

Two headers in the box proved a recipe for success for the Russians off a corner.  Sergey Ignashevich's header was nodded in by Kerzhakov from three yards out to make it 3-0 for the hosts.  Luxembourg pulled one back in the final minute of regulation.  Yannick Bastos had slipped inside the Russia box, but he was able to kick back to Aurelien Joachim, whose power shot went through the hands of the goalkeeper.  Russia scored once more in extra time, however.  Alexander Ryantsev did the heavy lifting, nutmegging his marker on a full sprint and drawing the goalkeeper out.  Ryantsev made a simple pass laterally for Alexander Samedov to push home for the final goal.  Russia win 4-1 and temporarily jump back on top of Group F.  The result eliminates Luxembourg, as well as Azerbaijan.

There was a nasty, rainy match today in Belfast between hosts Northern Ireland and Portugal.  Helder Postiga flicked a header from a corner back upfield to Bruno Alves, who managed to score with a side-foot shot from seventeen yards through traffic to put Portugal ahead 1-0.  Just over a quarter hour later, the hosts were back on level footing.  Gareth McAuley rose to meet a corner with a booming header to equalize, an embarrassing occurrence for Portugal, who had five men defending the one McAuley.  Postiga was sent off for Portugal in minute 43, leaving the visitors down a man before the half.  The first half ended with the score 1-1.

Northern Ireland took a bogus lead when a shot hit the chest of one of their players who was in an offside position and went in from two yards out.  The player was so offside that even the goalkeeper was higher up the pitch than he was, but the assistant referee was asleep during the action.
In minute 60, the sides were again equal in terms of players on the match as Northern Ireland lost Chris Brunt to a second yellow.  With less than a quarter of the match left to play, Cristiano Ronaldo finally left his mark for Portugal.  First, he ran a great route to power home a header from eight yards off a Joao Moutinho corner.  Fabio Coentrao sent a long ball over the top to Ronaldo, who somehow was unmarked amidst three Northern Irish defenders for a header from seven yards out.  Kyle Lafferty was sent off for a dirty tackle in minute 80, leaving the hosts down a man and down a goal in the closing stages of the match.  Ronaldo sent a twenty-yard free kick through a hole in the wall created by two teammates, and the ball made its way into the net to finish off his hat trick and Northern Ireland.  Portugal win 4-2 and reclaim pole position in the group table.

Portugal 17 pts +8
Russia 15 pts +9
Israel 11 pts +7
N. Ireland 6 pts -5
Azerbaijan OUT
Luxembourg OUT

Goals
Russia
Alexander Kokorin 1, 35
Alexander Kerzhakov 60
Alexander Samedov 90+3

Luxembourg
Aurelien Joachim 90

Portugal
Bruno Alves 20
Cristiano Ronaldo 68, 77, 83

Northern Ireland
Gareth McAuley 36
Jamie Ward 52

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/9/6/4703102/russia-vs-luxembourg-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23947093
http://www.theportugalnews.com/news/ronaldo-hat-trick-sinks-northern-ireland/29369

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jcwrnvj7h4 (Russia v. Luxembourg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZwgxCj5lXo (Portugal v. Northern Ireland)

Iceland 4 - Switzerland 4; Slovenia 1 - Albania 0; Norway 2 - Cyprus 0

Norway welcomed last-placed Cyprus to Oslo for their Group E match.  Norway had the best chance is a slow first half, but nothing came of their superior play until a corner kick with two minutes to go.  The kick was whipped toward the back post, where it hit the back of a defender and drifted across the goal for Tarik El Younoussi to head in at the near post.  Norway took that 1-0 lead into the locker room with them.

Norway were able to double their lead midway through the second half.  Magnus Eikrem received a pass at the top of the box and used some fancy footwork to free up space with his back to goal.  He passed to the left wing to a wide open Joshua King, who finished the job with a simple strike to make it 2-0.  Cyprus never presented any challenge in attack, so Norway coasted to the finish line.  Norway win 2-0 and go up to second in the group table.

Bern was the site of a remarkable match between hosts Switzerland and Iceland.  The visitors were nonplussed by their trip to the group leaders, and they had a lead within three minutes.  Gylfi Sigurdsson ran up the left side of the field and crossed back to Johann Gudmundsson.  Gudmundsson's first touch took him around a defender and his second shot into the upper ninety to put Iceland ahead 1-0.  That's when it all went wrong for Iceland.  At the quarter hour mark, Granit Xhaka one-timed a pass from Ricardo Rodriguez forward into the box for the Swiss.  Stephan Lichtsteiner got his head to the ball, and the equalizer fell.  Haris Seferovic smoked a line drive into the legs of Iceland forward Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, but the ball fell perfectly for Fabian Schar to tap in with the goalkeeper on the ground.  The Swiss did not wait long to turn 2-1 into 3-1.  Three minutes later, a Xherdan Shaqiri breakaway led to a simple pass to Lichtsteiner, whose finish from medium range made it three goals in fifteen minutes for the home side.  Switzerland led 3-1 at halftime.

Birkir Saevarsson clipped the ankles of Switzerland midfielder Valentin Stocker inside the penalty area, and the Swiss converted the penalty kick for a 4-1 lead ten minutes into the second half.  That's when it all started to go right for Iceland.  Schar was caught in possession in central defense by Sigthorsson, who then took a few extra yards before shooting into the far corner for a goal with no build-up.  Iceland were within one goal after Gudmundsson picked up a partially blocked shot from distance and then drove a shot into the goal off the long rebound.  In stoppage time, the Swiss defense for some reason were not covering Gudmundsson on the right hand side, so he stepped to his left and swung in a heavily-swerving shot that rounded its way into the far corner from eighteen yards away.  Gudmundsson scored all three of his goals with his left foot, and his left foot earns Iceland a 4-4 road draw.

Slovenia needed a win at home in Ljubljana against Albania to reconnect with their fellow competitors for the potential playoff place from Group E.  Kevin Kampl scored the opening goal for Slovenia with a shot from twenty-two yards out that evaded the block attempt of Admir Teli.  There were few other chances, and Albania managed only one shot on frame in the half.  Slovenia were up 1-0 after the opening forty-five minutes.

Valoet Rama had a heavy shot on goal for Albania, but Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic was able to chest the ball away while diving to stop the bounce shot.  Albania really should have equalized when Hamdi Salihi got goal-side of Branko Ilic and then turned off him after receiving a pass, but Handanovic made a fantastic save along the ground.  Another Rama shot was headed goalbound, but Handanovic read the slight deflection perfectly and parried the ball away for a corner.  Slovenia somehow managed not to break under the heaps of pressure put on them in the second half, and they win 1-0.

Switzerland 15 pts +7
Norway 11 pts +2
Albania 10 pts 0
Iceland 10 pts -1
Slovenia 9 pts -1
Cyprus 4 pts -7

Goals
Norway
Tarik El Younoussi 43
Joshua King 66

Iceland
Johann Gudmundsson 3, 68, 90+1
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson 56

Switzerland
Stephan Lichtsteiner 15, 30
Fabian Schar 27
Blerim Dzemaili 54 PK

Slovenia
Kevin Kampl 19

Match Reports:
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008650/postmatch/report/index.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-swiss-squander-three-goal-lead-4-4-204813780--sow.html
http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/06/4462388/switzerland-held-4-4-by-thrilling.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2168720/index.html
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008637/postmatch/report/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmBcHwpPevs (Norway v. Cyprus)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8utNWLpA4uA (Iceland v. Switzerland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht0FID6Ir7k (Slovenia v. Albania)

Romania 3 - Hungary 0; Estonia 2 - Netherlands 2; Turkey 5 - Andorra 0

Romania were paid a visit by Hungary in Bucharest.  Richard Guzmics was dispossessed in central defense for Hungary, and Ciprian Marica ran the ball straight up the rest of the pitch before coolly finishes for the opening goal within ninety seconds of the opening whistle.  At the half hour mark, Marica was at it again.  His deep run with the ball drew the attention of all three defenders in his area, so he laid the ball off for Mihai Pintilii.  Pintilii bent a ball around Jozsef Varga that made its way into the upper ninety for a spectacular second goal for the home team.  Romania led 2-0 after the opening period.

Bogdan Stancu nearly copied his teammate Marica's goal, but after dispossessing the Hungarian defender and running straight into the area, Hungary goalkeeper Adam Bogdan made the one-versus-one save.  Hungary's backline was made to look silly yet again on the final goal.  Cristian Tanase nutmegged one defender and then beat two others to a spot inside the box before slotting a finish to the far post.  Romania win 3-0 and may be disappointed not to have won by more.

Kayseri was the site for Andorra's visit to Turkey.  Andorra held out for thirty-five minutes, but the Turks broke through.  Gokhan Tore's cross was headed in by Umut Bulut for the first goal.  Bulut and Tore played a one-two-one from thirty yards away four minutes later, and Bulut's shot from distance made it 2-0 to Turkey.  Mehmet Topal sent a hard drive into the Andorran crossbar just before the halftime whistle.  At the half, Turkey led 2-0.

A pass from Gokhan Gonul into the six-yard box was touched into the net by Burak Yilmaz for the third Turkish goal.  Four minutes later, Tore finished off his assist hat trick with a ball into to Bulut, who finished inside the area for his goal hat trick.  Arda Turan headed home a rebound in stoppage time to finish the scoring for the home side.  Turkey win 5-0.  Andorra are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Tallinn was the site of the encounter between visiting Netherlands and Estonia.  Arjen Robben found the ball inside the box in the second minute, and no Estonian pushed him off his left foot, so Robben curled a simple goal.  It appeared Netherlands were about to roll to their seventh victory from seven matches.  Robin van Persie nearly doubled it early after receiving a pass in the box, but Estonia goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko was able to drop down and make a kick save.  Estonia were even after taking advantage of poor clearances from the Dutch.  Konstantin Vassiljev smacked a roller from three yards above the half circle the went into the bottom ninety.  The match was tied at 1-1 going into the locker rooms.

Estonia worked the rare double chip for a goal after ten minutes had elapsed.  Joel Lindpere chipped a cross into Vassiljev.  Vassiljev then chipped his marker and the goalkeeper who had just started off his line to score a brilliant second goal.  Vassiljev came close to a hat trick, but was unable to complete it on later chances.  Estonia lost Raio Piiroja to a second yellow in stoppage time as he was deemed to have brought down van Persie inside the penalty area.  The Dutch converted the late penalty much to the dismay of the Estonian team, who had argued their cause vehemently after the call was made against Piiroja.  The match ends 2-2.

Netherlands 19 pts +18
Romania 13 pts +3
Hungary 11 pts +2
Turkey 10 pts +5
Estonia 7 pts -6
Andorra OUT

Goals
Romania
Ciprian Marica 2
Mihai Pintilii 31
Cristian Tanase 88

Turkey
Umut Bulut 35, 39, 68
Burak Yilmaz 64
Arda Turan 90+3

Netherlands
Arjen Robben 2
Robin van Persie 90+3

Estonia
Konstantin Vassiljev 17, 56

Match Reports:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/09/06/uk-soccer-world-romania-idUKBRE98511920130906
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008629/postmatch/report/index.html
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/9/6/4702468/estonia-vs-holland-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1764468-estonia-vs-netherlands-score-grades-and-post-match-reaction

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f4me_cSGn4 (Romania v. Hungary)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9obfw6w7wjM (Turkey v. Andorra)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W9LUzzH9nc (Estonia v. Netherlands)

Georgia 0 - France 0; Spain 2 - Finland 0

Georgia welcomed France to Tbilisi for their qualifier today.  Tornike Okriashvili had a good pair of chances for Georgia, but he hit his own rebound from France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris off the near post and back upfield.  Nothing else happened of note in the opening half which ended 0-0.

France were always on attack in the second half as Georgia could not spring any counterattacks.  At the end of the match, Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Loria came up huge to rescue a point for the hosts.  Loria made a save at one post from an Olivier Giroud header.  Then, off the resulting corner, Loria saved at the other post from Bacary Sagna.  The match ends 0-0.  As a result, Belarus are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Finland needed to get another result against Spain, and this time the Finns were at home in Helsinki.  Finland nearly sprung for an early lead after weaving through the right side of Spain's defense, but goalkeeper Iker Casillas made a kick save from close range on Teemu Pukki to deny the early chance.  Cesc Fabregas hit a lofted through ball over the Finnish backline for Jordi Alba.  The fullback beat the offside trap and adeptly cut back and finished over an onrushing goalkeeper as if he were an out-and-out forward for the opening goal.  Spain led 1-0 at intermission.

Spain nearly had an identical goal, but Petri Pasanen side tackled away from Alvaro Negredo at the last moment after Negredo had gotten onto the through ball from Xavi Hernandez.  Jesus Navas beat another Finnish offside trap on a rolling through ball and then passed laterally into the box for a Negredo finish to cap off the night.  Spain win 2-0.

Spain 14 pts +8
France 11 pts +4
Finland 6 pts -2
Georgia 5 pts -4
Belarus OUT

Goals
Spain
Jordi Alba 19
Alvaro Negredo 86

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/9/6/4702104/france-vs-georgia-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://www.goal.com/en/match/92542/georgia-vs-france/report?
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/agencia-efe/130907/spain-beats-finland-2-0-world-cup-qualifier
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/9/6/4702100/finland-vs-spain-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm8Lyv2kHK0 (Georgia v. France)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO1GzazD8PE (Spain v. Finland)

Uzbekistan 1 - Jordan 1

Amman was the site of Jordan's home leg in their two-legged series against Uzbekistan with a berth in the intercontinental playoffs at stake.  Uzbekistan were the team with all the initiative in the opening period, but Jasur Khasanov could never get the final pass correct.  Jordan took advantage against the run of play.  Musab Al Laham (pictured, white) touched a short pass to Hassan Mahmoud, who then touched another short pass to Ahmad Ibrahim.  Ibrahim's run drew all three remaining defenders, who chose not to follow the run of Al Laham, who was able to beat the goalkeeper to the near post.  Later in the half, Khasanov finally got a ball right, as he laid a pass off to Server Djeparov.  The side-foot shot was not kept out by Jordan goalkeeper Amer Sabbah, who would be disappointed by his effort.  The half ended all-square at one goal apiece.

The second half was much more subdued, though Jordan started pushing hard for the victory in the final five minutes.  A sliding block in the final minute by Anzur Ismailov on Oday Al-Saifi prevented a Jordanian winner.  Uzbekistan left back Vitaliy Denisov was surely the player of the match.  The match ends 1-1, with Uzbekistan holding a slight advantage in the two-legged series through an away goal.  The series concludes on Tuesday in Uzbekistan.

Goals
Jordan
Musab Al Laham 30

Uzbekistan
Server Djeparov 35

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en/match/111964/jordan-vs-uzbekistan/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQWgA0iCOpg