Ecuador 1 - Uruguay 0

Ecuador were at home in Quito to take on Uruguay.  Ecuador had six wins and one draw at home so far in qualifying, so Uruguay were looking to pull off a shock in the chase for the final direct qualifying berth out of South America.  The teams began the day level on points.  Antonio Valencia (pictured, yellow) sprinted up the right side of the pitch for Ecuador.  Valencia played a perfect ball across the box that beat a sliding block attempt from Maxi Pereira.  Jefferson Montero was there for the tap-in to put Ecuador up a goal at the half hour mark.  Luis Suarez hit a dipping free kick for Uruguay, put Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez made an awkward push-aside of the ball.

In the second period, Uruguay should have gone down a man due to a stomp tackle by Egidio Arevalo Rios, but the referee produced only a yellow card.  Substitute Joao Rojas created the second goal for Ecuador.  He laid a ball behind to a teammate and then ran into the box.  A rebound was spilled, so Rojas picked the ball up and dribbled to the side of the goalkeeper before roofing the shot.  However, the refereeing crew was drunk and decided to flag Rojas for offside despite him being more than two meters onside at the time of the original shot.  In spite of the poor officiating, Ecuador win 1-0 and all but clinch a spot at Brasil 2014.  With this result, Ecuador need only a draw to qualify for Brasil 2014.  Uruguay need to defeat Argentina at home on Tuesday and hope for somebody to win the Chile-Ecuador match all while overcoming a goal differential deficit.

Goals
Ecuador
Jefferson Montero 30

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/11/4829368/ecuador-uruguay-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aicy0GO-zMU

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AphjEPL_cnI (1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97uz7DoG304 (2nd half)

Chile 3 - Colombia 3

Colombia were at home with a chance to clinch their qualification in Barranquilla.  Chile were none too keen on allowing such a celebration to occur while they were in the building unless it was for their own qualification.  Chile were the team that were the most effective from the outset.  Colombia refused to apply high pressure, even to Chilean goal kicks, so Chile's counter attacks were allowed to build into true chances quite often.  The pressure broke the Cafeteros' backline soon enough as goalkeeper David Ospina brought down Eduardo Vargas in the box on a deep run off a through ball, giving Chile a penalty chance.  They converted for 1-0.  Vargas was the recipient off a quick outlet pass off a Colombian turnover at midfield.  With only two defenders back, the three-man counter for Chile was favored to score.  Vargas played a bouncing ball into the box between the two defenders, Jorge Valdivia added a touch, and Alexis Sanchez (pictured, red) provided the finishing touch to make it 2-0 in favor of the visitors.  A solo burst down the right for Sanchez gave the Chileans another great opportunity, but Valdivia fluffed his attempt straight to Ospina.  The game was wide open by this point, and Teofilo Gutierrez broke a counter attack for Colombia.  Gutierrez drew Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo off his line, but as the ball bounced over Bravo awaiting a finishing touch, Marcos Gonzalez appeared to clear it away.  Off a Valdivia corner kick, Sanchez was left wide open for a massive diving header that Ospina somehow kept out.  However, Gonzalez won the rebound header and nodded into the path of Sanchez for a tap-in goal that put Chile ahead 3-0 and all but into the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.  Mauricio Isla had a chance to make it 4-0 off a Sanchez pass, but he delayed his shot and was eventually stuffed by the block of Mario Yepes.  In stoppage time, Bravo made a diving save on a mid-range shot from Guillermo Cuadrado. Chile went into the break ahead 3-0.

A flicked-on header by Gutierrez led to a catch for Bravo as he fell to his side.  Chile were surprisingly aggressive with a big lead early in the second half, and were nearly made to pay on a couple Colombian counterattacks.  Chile's Carlos Carmona received his second yellow card in as many minutes in minute 66, throwing Colombia a lifeline with which to overcome the 3-0 deficit.  On the ensuing free kick, Gutierrez popped the header off the post, but Pablo Armero was able to dispossess Jose Rojas inside the box.  Armero slotted a ball to Gutierrez who finally converted to give Colombia their first goal.  James Rodriguez then drew a penalty kick for Colombia that they converted with fifteen minutes left to play to make it 3-2 in favor of Chile.  Bravo made a poor decision to dive with his hands outstretched at Rodriguez as Rodriguez was driving the ball away from goal.  Bravo missed the ball and committed a foul that gave Colombia their second penalty chance in ten minutes.  They converted to knot the score at three goals apiece.  Radamel Falcao took off his shirt to celebrate the occasion and will be suspended for Colombia's final match.  However, he will not care because the spectacular 3-3 draw means Colombia have qualified for Brasil 2014 whereas Chile will need to collect points at home against Ecuador on Tuesday in order to advance.

Goals
Chile
Arturo Vidal 19 PK
Alexis Sanchez 22, 29

Colombia
Teofilo Gutierrez 69
Radamel Falcao 75 PK, 84 PK

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/11/4829092/chile-colombia-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://www.goal.com/en/match/97332/colombia-vs-chile/report?
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/colombia-come-from-3-0-behind-to-draw-with-chile-and-qualify-for-2014-brazil-world-cup/story-e6frf423-1226738796437

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw9eU2pAcY0

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa_QHDXu0S4

Honduras 1 - Costa Rica 0

Honduras were hoping their home match against Costa Rica in San Pedro Sula would provide them with three points.  Honduras were effective at getting into the attacking third during the first half but not so effective at creating good shots at goal.  In fact, an Alvaro Saborio header from a Tico corner was the best chance of the first half.  No goals were scored in a 0-0 first half.

Honduras remained the better team coming out of their locker rooms.  It took until twenty minutes had gone by, but finally they had their breakthrough.  A soft through ball from Roger Espinoza found Jerry Bengston (pictured, white #11) open in space in the Costa Rican box.  Bengston coolly slotted to the far corner for the opening goal.  Costa Rica were forced to finally search for some offense, but truthfully they did not seem very motivated to perform this afternoon.  Honduras win 1-0 and clinch at worst a spot in the intercontinental playoffs.

Goals
Honduras
Jerry Bengston 64

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2194829/
http://www.soccerway.com/news/2013/October/12/fifa-world-cup-qualifying-honduras-1-costa-rica-0/n241968/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmKuQj3ZkBs

Spain 2 - Belarus 1

Belarus were on the road against Spain in Palma.  Spain were surprisingly ineffective in the first half, and indeed it would be Belarus who were more creative in the opening period.  Vitali Rodionov nearly scored on a corner, but Spain goalkeeper Victor Valdes just managed to keep him out.

Spain began applying legitimate pressure to the Belarusian goal in the second half.  On the hour mark, some unfortunate clearance attempts by Belarus led to Spain's opener.  Xavi Hernandez hit an excellent strike off a weak headed clearance by Egor Filipenko that zoomed into the net and gave Spain hope for victory.  A ridiculous back heel no-look pass from Pedro Rodriguez gave Sergio Ramos the ball in space on his overlapping run.  Ramos smacked a cross into the six-yard box that was finished by the diving header of Alvaro Negredo to make it 2-0.  Ramos almost made it three for Spain, but his dipping effort was kept out by Belarus goalkeeper Aleksandr Gutor.  A careless pass by Spain in their own half sprung a break for the visitors.  Sergei Kornilenko received the through ball and used his pace to get free into the box.  Kornilenko finished well to the far post, but it was too little too late.  Spain win 2-1 and need only a draw at home on Tuesday to advance to Brasil 2014.

Spain 17 pts +9
France 14 pts +6
Finland OUT
Georgia OUT
Belarus OUT

Goals
Spain
Xavi Hernandez 61
Alvaro Negredo 78

Belarus
Sergei Kornilenko 89

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/11/4829164/spain-vs-belarus-uefa-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/12/spain-xavi-negredo-belarus-world-cup
http://www.goal.com/en/match/92608/spain-vs-belarus/report

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

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)

England 4 - Montenegro 1; Ukraine 1 - Poland 0; Moldova 3 - San Marino 0

Chisinau was the site of Moldova's home match against San Marino.  Eugeniu Sidorenco created what should have been the opening goal as he pranced around two Sammarinese defenders on their end line and then laid off a perfect pass.  However, the shot at the empty net was hit at the near post where goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini was waiting on the ground.  Viorel Frunza was denied by a seated Simoncini later in the half.  Igor Armas headed up into the crossbar from two yards away, again letting San Marino off the hook.  San Marino nearly made the hosts pay for their profligacy as Danilo Rinaldi flicked on a Carlo Valentini cross, but Moldova goalkeeper Ilie Cebanu kneed the ball away.  Somehow, neither team managed a goal in the first half.

Alexandru Antoniuc made a difficult pass reception inside the Sammarinese box.  He managed to push wide for Frunzu, who scored to make it 1-0.  Antoniuc again made a difficult pass reception in traffic, this time passing the ball to Sidorenco.  Sidorenco scored to make it 2-0 just before the hour mark.  A late Antoniuc cross was headed cleanly by Sidorenco into the goal to give Antoniuc a hat trick of assists.  Moldova win 3-0.

Poland were the visitors as they traveled to Kharkiv to face Ukraine.  Poland needed a victory to remain in contention for Brasil 2014.  Robert Lewandowski provided a powerful header on goal midway through the first half, but Yevhen Konoplyanka was able to chest the ball off the line to save for Ukraine.  The first half ended 0-0.

Andriy Yarmolenko fired a warning shot from distance when Poland left him unmarked a dozen minutes after the restart.  Jakub Blaszczykowski made a daring sprint with the ball upfield for Poland, but a sliding block prevented his shot from doing damage.  Konoplyanka belted a long cross beyond the Polish goal from the sideline.  Grzegorz Wojtkowiak airballed on his header clearance, leaving Yarmolenko wide open to receive the ball in space.  Yarmolenko thumped his shot into the far side netting to give Ukraine a 1-0 lead.  Lewandowski had an open header that he really should have put on frame, but it was not to be for Poland.  Ukraine win 1-0 to temporarily go top of the table and eliminate Poland from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Montenegro traveled north to London to face group leaders England.  England were on the offensive from the opening whistle with the knowledge that two consecutive home wins this week would see them qualify for Brasil 2014.  Danny Welbeck forced a good save out of Montenegro goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic from a sharp angle, then Steven Gerrard forced a diving stop on a curler from distance.  A rebound from an Andros Townsend effort saved by Poleksic fell to Wayne Rooney, who was unable to punch the ball in from a sharp angle.  Montenegro survived the onslaught to get into their locker room even at 0-0.

Welbeck took a shot that was again kept out by Poleksic, but this time Rooney took the rebound and put it into the net for 1-0.  An embarrassing bit of defending by Branko Boskovic saw him kick a terrible pass from Welbeck straight into his own goal.  Dejan Damjanovich punished the crossbar the minute after the own goal, showing that Montenegro were not done yet.  Pressure from Leighton Baines forced a poor shot by Fatos Beciraj, but Damjanovich happening to be sprinting into the path of the ball and scored to bring his side within 2-1.  Townsend scored his first international goal with a magical hit that tailed away from a diving Poleksic and in off the post for 3-1.  In stoppage time, Daniel Sturridge was fouled by Ivan Kecojevic to draw a penalty kick for England.. The Three Lions made the spot kick to finish the scoring.  England win 4-1.

England 19 pts +25
Ukraine 18 pts +16
Montenegro 15 pts +4
Poland OUT
Moldova OUT
San Marino OUT

Goals
Moldova
Viorel Frunza 55
Eugeniu Sidorenco 59, 89

Ukraine
Andriy Yarmolenko 64

England
Wayne Rooney 49
Branko Boskovic 62 OG
Andros Townsend 78
Daniel Sturridge 90+3 PK

Montenegro
Dejan Damjanovic 71

Match Reports:
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008732/postmatch/report/
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/12/world-cup-2014-ukraine-Poland
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008752/postmatch/report/
http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2013-10-11/report-and-highlights-england-4-1-montenegro-andros-townsend-stars-at-wembley/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24393746

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfpIpxEFypU (Moldova v. San Marino)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS89YQlUKFc (Ukraine v. Poland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xev2XPhYKm8 (England v. Montenegro)

Switzerland 2 - Albania 1; Slovenia 3 - Norway 0; Iceland 2 - Cyprus 0

If Switzerland could pull off a road victory against Albania in Tirana, their qualification would be secured.  The Swiss looked lively early.  Valentin Stocker headed a cross off the near post, but Albania captain Lorik Cana (pictured, red) was there to clear the ball to safety.  That was the best chance of a scoreless opening half.

Right at the start of the second period, Switzerland goalkeeper Diego Benaglio was forced into a diving save to stop a powerful drive from Valoet Rama.  Moments later, Granit Xhaka was taking a shot on the other end.  Xherdan Shaqiri got in the way of the shot, but he was able to turn it into a clean reception before wrong-footing the goalkeeper with his shot.  The ball went in off the post and Switzerland had the opener.  Ansi Agolli hit a floating cross that may have been goalbound, so a leaping Benaglio tipped the ball over his crossbar for safety.  A free kick cross from Switzerland captain Gokhan Inler fell just beyond the back post.  In the ensuing scramble, Michael Lang managed to manufacture a shot on goal that bounced in to make it 2-0.  A late mistake by Benaglio gifted Albania a penalty kick.  Benaglio dropped a simple roller at the top of his box, and then compounded his mistake by committing a foul as he tried to reclaim the ball.  Albania converted for 2-1.  However, the visitors hold on and win 2-1.  Switzerland qualify for Brasil 2014 as Group E champions.  Albania are eliminated by the result.

Both Slovenia and visiting Norway needed victories in Maribor to maintain hope of qualifying for Brasil 2014.  Miso Brecko provided an early chance for Slovenia.  His fast cross forced Milivoje Novakovic into a sliding half-volley shot attempt, which he somehow converted for a beautiful finish to give the home side a 1-0 advantage.  Two minutes later, Slovenia were back on the scoreboard.  Kevin Kampl ran at the center of the defense before pushing wide to Andraz Kirm.  Kirm quickly passed across to Novakovic for the tap-in and 2-0.  Slovenia led 2-0 at halftime.

Ales Mertelj stole a ball from the Norwegian midfield and pushed a through ball ahead for Novakovic.  Novakovic received it onside and proceeded down the field without any defenders chasing him.  He finished his hat trick off the post to put his team ahead by three goals.  Slovenia win 3-0 to maintain hope in the chase for the playoffs.  Norway are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Iceland were at home in Reykjavik looking to avenge their loss to Cyprus earlier in the campaign.  Birkir Bjarnason nearly provided the opener for the hosts, but his header at the back post sailed just high.  Cyprus played very defensively and frustrated Iceland throughout the match.  The half ended as it began, 0-0.

At the hour mark, Iceland finally battered down the door to the Cypriot goal.  That was the most apt description of what happened.  Johann Gudmundsson hit a low shot on frame that was stopped by a diving Cyprus goalkeeper Antonis Giorgallidis, but the rebound was pushed into the goal by Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, who outraced six defenders for the tap-in opening goal.  A short free kick cross gave Bjarnason a point-blank header, but Giorgallidis found himself in the way of the shot for the save.  Another battering ram goal was scored after Giorgallidis made a double save off a Bjarnason kick that left the ball bouncing on the doorstep of the goal.  Gylfi Sigurdsson had the final touch as the ball entered the goal to double the Icelandic lead.  Cyprus never provided much of an attacking threat, so the rest of the match was a formality.  Iceland win 2-0 and are in pole position to clinch second place in Group E on Tuesday.

After some difficult math, the Iceland result eliminates Czech Republic from Group B due to the impossibility of Czech Republic finishing as one of the top eight second-place teams.  Their maximum point haul in the second-place table is nine, which is what Slovenia currently have.  However, Slovenia now need points to overtake Iceland to get into second place in Group E.  The other seven group second-place teams already have ten or more points in the second-place table.  Iceland just moved to thirteen with a win today.  If Slovenia do not score more points, Iceland finish second with more points than Czech Republic.  If Slovenia do take second, they will necessarily have more than the nine points Czech Republic could achieve.

Switzerland 21 pts IN
Iceland 16 pts +2
Slovenia 15 pts +4
Norway OUT
Albania OUT
Cyprus OUT

Goals
Switzerland
Xherdan Shaqiri 47
Michael Lang 77

Albania
Hamdi Salihi 88 PK

Slovenia
Milivoje Novakovic 13, 15, 49

Iceland
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson 60
Gylfi Sigurdsson 76

Match Reports:
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008638/postmatch/report/
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/11/3684011/switzerland-advances-to-wcup-beats.html
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/253663
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/253664

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx-Imb2p-54 (Switzerland v. Albania)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNk6WVIJb5o (Slovenia v. Norway)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWmS1OM34ls (Iceland v. Cyprus)

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

The Faroe Islands had their best opportunity to finally collect points at home against Kazakhstan in Torshavn.  Five minutes from halftime, Faroe Islands scored the best goal in all Group C to date.  Hallur Hansson struck a ball from just above the half circle with the outside of his boot.  The shot was pure and knuckled into the corner of the goal to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at halftime.

A cross from Alexandr Kislitsyn lead to a scramble at the mouth of the Faroese goal.  In the madness of the scrum, Andrey Finonchenko pushed the ball over the line.  Although they did not hold on for the victory, the Faroese did pick up their first point of the campaign.  The match ends 1-1.

Sweden were at home against Austria in Solna with both teams' qualifying fates on the line.  A victory for Sweden would send them into the UEFA Playoffs.  A win or draw for Austria would leave them in pole position to qualify for the playoffs on Tuesday when Austria face Faroe Islands and Sweden face Germany.  Lazy defending by the Swedes allowed Austria to use a three-pass set play to create the opening goal.  David Alaba (pictured, red) faked a shot at goal and then passed off the dead ball to Marko Arnautovic.  The next pass was flicked into the box by a Swedish defender.  One quick pass backward fell to Martin Harnik, whose classy finish made it 1-0 for the visitors.  Johan Elmander shot off the post the very next minute in an attempted Swedish response.  Alaba stripped Per Nilsson at the top of the Swedish box, but Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson was able to make a kick save to prevent the shot from making it to the far post.  Austria took the 1-0 lead with them into their dressing room.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic led the fight back for Sweden.  His cross into the box was nodded in by a diving header from Martin Olsson to level the match at one goal apiece.  Sweden still had to push for the win with the schedule not in their favor on the final matchday.  A pass forward from Kim Kallstrom inside his own half provided the impetus for the go-ahead goal.  Ibrahimovic settled the ball and the turned his sights on goal.  Ibrahimovic buried the shot to give Sweden the lead.  Austria gained a late free kick, but in the aftermath Arnautovic touched his forehead to Elmander's forehead.  A theatrical flop by Elmander resulted in a joke of a red card in minute 90 to Arnautovic, leaving Austria undeservedly down a man for the final part of the match.  Alaba's last-ditch free kick flew just wide.  Sweden win 2-1 and secure second place in Group C.  Austria are eliminated alongside Ireland, who were mere seconds away from being eliminated on their own accord.

Ireland needed a victory on the road in Cologne against group leaders Germany in order to avoid elimination.  Germany needed only a tie in order to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  An Andy Stokes turnover was picked up by Germany captain Philipp Lahm, whose pass forward reached its target.  Sami Khedira collected the pass and then shot.  The ball was blocked by Ciaran Clark, but unfortunately the ball went off his chest into the Irish net.  Germany controlled the rest of the half, but only led 1-0 at the break.

Ireland come out quickly in the second half, perhaps sensing the lull after the resumption of play would be their only opportunity to catch Germany sleeping.  Ireland came close on three occasions but never equalized.  Toni Kroos made Ireland pay for their lack of finishing.  Kroos's pass was received on a half spin by Andre Schurrle, who then continued with another half spin into his shot to score the second goal for Germany.  Germany put the match to bed in stoppage time.  Another ball forward from Kroos led to a goal, this time from Mesut Ozil.  Germany win 3-0 and advance to Brasil 2014 next June.

Germany 25 pts IN
Sweden 20 pts
Austria OUT
Ireland OUT
Kazakhstan OUT
Faroe OUT

Goals
Faroe Islands
Hallur Hansson 41

Kazakhstan
Andrey Finonchenko 55

Sweden
Martin Olsson 56
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 86

Austria
Martin Harnik 29

Germany
Sami Khedira 12
Andre Schurrle 58
Mesut Ozil 90+1

Match Reports:
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008581/postmatch/report/
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/worldcup/story/sweden-2-1-austria-world-cup-qualifying-match-report-101113
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24468735
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/11/4828590/germany-ireland-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/germany-go-through-after-beating-ireland-by-three-goals-29653309.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iywJfRrcuo (Faroe Islands v. Kazakhstan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIoxozqTMr8 (Sweden v. Austria)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qVFakF7umk (Germany v. Ireland)

Greece 1 - Slovakia 0; Lithuania 2 - Latvia 0; Bosnia and Herzegovina 4 - Liechtenstein 1

Vilnius was the site for Lithuania's home match against neighbors Latvia.  Lithuania jumped ahead within ten minutes by scoring off a corner kick set piece.  The header by Fedor Cernych to the near post was allowed to bounce in by Vladislavs Gabovs, who foolishly wandered away from the near post where he had been positioned.  Giederius Arlauskas made a bursting run off his line in goal for Lithuania to clear a ball with a desperate slide on a nearly perfect through ball from Latvia.  Latvia had a free kick header just ruled offside.  The halftime score was Lithuania 1, Latvia 0.

Mindaugas Kalonas made a nice dribbling maneuver to get into the Latvian box, but he hit both posts from a sharp angle.  Latvia were caught forward by a three-on-two break.  Cernych picked out the right pass, and Saulius Mikoliunas provide the finish to punish Latvia for their foray forward with a second goal.  Nerijus Valskis was denied a goal by Latvia goalkeeper Andris Vanins late in the match, but it did not affect the final outcome.  Lithuania win 2-0.

Zenica was the site as Liechtenstein paid a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Avdija Vrsajevic put in a whipped cross that was headed home viciously by Edin Dzeko to give Bosnia the lead before the half hour mark.  Bosnia scored a second due to good fortune.  A completely shanked shot flew sideways to Zvjezdan Misimovic, who belted home a shot from twelve yards for 2-0.  Vrsajevic found his second assist via a cross that was headed in by Vedad Ibisevic for 3-0.  Bosnia scored their fourth goal in thirteen minutes the next minute.  Dzeko scored after beating the offside trap.  Bosnia gladly took their 4-0 lead into the locker room with them.

Bosnia eased off the gas in the second period.  Liechtenstein took advantage in order to score a goal.  Andreas Christen curl a ball forward that Robin Gubser volleyed across the box to a wide open Nicolas Hasler.  Hasler tapped in to bring his side within 4-1.  The rest of the half provided little of note.  Bosnia win 4-1 and now need only to defeat Lithuania on the road this Tuesday in order to qualify for Brasil 2014.

Greece needed to win at home in Piraeus against Slovakia in order to keep pressure on Bosnia.  A Kostas Manolas header off a Vasileios Torosidis cross was all but in the Slovak goal.  Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha made an absolutely miraculous save, diving inside the goal, but pushing the ball out with his hand in front of the goal line.  Mucha gave the goal back with the worst pass reception in national team history.  A soft pass to Mucha under no pressure slipped under Mucha's feet and rolled into the goal.  Greece had a 1-0 lead at the conclusion of the first half.

Kostas Mitroglou chipped a ball over Mucha that was goalbound, but Tomas Hubocan (pictured, blue) was there to clear off the line even as he was facing his own goal.  Greece were completely dominant in possession and in the amount of chances created, but they could not push across a goal on their own accord.  However, Slovakia never came close to breaking down the Greek defense.  Greece win 1-0 and stay tied atop Group G with Bosnia with one match left to play.

Bosnia 22 pts +23
Greece 22 pts +6
Slovakia OUT
Lithuania OUT
Latvia OUT
Liechtenstein OUT

Goals
Lithuania
Fedor Cernych 8
Saulius Mikoliunas 68

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Edin Dzeko 27, 39
Zvjezdan Misimovic 34
Vedad Ibisevic 38

Liechtenstein
Nicolas Hasler 61

Greece
Martin Skrtel 44 OG

Match Reports:
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008716/postmatch/report/
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008696/postmatch/report/
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite5_1_11/10/2013_522745

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYrV-x5FEQY (Lithuania v. Latvia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asa5xdJajDE (Bosnia v. Liechtenstein)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHRaJvfPR6U (Greece v. Slovakia)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkTywcikHQg (Greece v. Slovakia)

Belgium 2 - Croatia 1; Wales 1 - Macedonia 0

Croatia needed a win at home in rainy Zagreb to keep visitors Belgium from qualifying as group winners.  Ivan Perisic made a horrific pass in midfield, turning the ball straight over to Steven Defour to begin a Belgian counterattack.  Defour immediately pushed a through ball into the path of Romelu Lukaku, who sprinted with the ball and then rolled around Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa for the goal.  Pletikosa saved a header from Marouane Fellaini off the line.  Belgium scored on another breakaway when Croatia botched a set piece opportunity.  A second clearance fell to Lukaku in his own half of the pitch, but with his speed he managed to rumble into the Croatian box before pushing his shot off Pletikosa's body.  Lukaku tapped in the rebound for his second goal of the match.  Belgium goalkeeper Thibout Courtois had to make a reaction save across his body from a Mario Mandzukic header to preserve the two-goal advantage.  Belgium took a 2-0 lead and a berth in the FIFA World Cup finals with them into their locker room.

Belgium kept pressing for a third goal to deliver the knockout blow.  They never landed it.  In fact, Croatia made the match interesting with less than ten minutes to go.  Mandzukic was denied by a double kick save from Courtois.  However, the clearance Daniel van Buyten was half-volleyed on a line by Niko Kranjcar into the back of the Belgian net.  The Diables Rouges held on through a nervy finish.  Belgium win 2-1 and are the third European team to qualify for Brasil 2014.

Wales were at home in Cardiff to take on Macedonia.  The best chance from the first half fell to Macedonia centerback Nikolce Noveski.  Noveski proved why he is a defender, sending his shot into the heavens rather than anywhere near the target.  The half ended with no goals having been scored.

Midway through the second period, a fantastic bit of play provided the first goal of the match.  Aaron Ramsey picked out a running Craig Bellamy, who in stride slotted a ball into the path of Simon Church.  Church roofed his shot to put the Welsh ahead 1-0.  Ramsey drew a penalty kick when the outstretched leg of Noveski clipped him.  Ramsey's penalty was poorly taken and was easily saved by Macedonia netminder Tome Pacovski.  In spite of that wasted opportunity, Wales win 1-0.

Belgium 25 pts IN
Croatia 17 pts
Serbia OUT
Wales OUT
Scotland OUT
Macedonia OUT

Goals
Belgium
Romelu Lukaku 15, 38

Croatia
Niko Kranjcar 83

Wales
Simon Church 67

Match Reports:
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/11/4828016/belgium-croatia-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/11/croatia-belgium-world-cup-qualifying-match-report
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/wales-1---0-macedonia-6177084
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/wales-1-macedonia-0-victory-is-most-enjoyable-for-chris-coleman-but-he-insists-it-hasnt-changed-his-future-8876091.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24393705

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJyB2Y0WpoA (Belgium v. Croatia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0qj9TUEiUY (Wales v. Macedonia)

Netherlands 8 - Hungary 1; Turkey 2 - Estonia 0; Romania 4 - Andorra 0

Turkey visited Tallinn to take on Estonia.  Midway through the first half, Caner Erkin was in possession for Turkey.  Erkin drove up the left flank and flicked a cross into the box.  Umut Bulut was the only player to jump for the ball, and he knocked the header into the net to give Turkey the lead.  Turkey would take that 1-0 lead into halftime.

Two minutes into the second half, a beautiful touch forward by Gokhan Tore (pictured, red #11) after a flicked on header went between the two Estonian centerbacks.  Burak Yilmaz latched onto the ball and finished to but Turkey ahead 2-0.  Turkey coasted through the rest of the match as Estonia never put up the fight one would have expected from a home team.  Turkey win 2-0 and are in the playoff position with one match to go.

Hungary came into Amsterdam realistically needing points on the road against Netherlands in order to have hope of making it to the UEFA Playoffs.  Such a reality did not come to fruition.  On the quarter hour mark, a looping header from Robin van Persie gave the Oranje a 1-0 lead.  Kevin Strootman added a looping header of his header not quite ten minutes on for 2-0.  Jeremain Lens one-timed a desperate stab at a clearance that fell to him.  The result of his kick was 3-0.  The speed of Lens started a break out of his own area.  Lens backheeled in stride to Arjen Robben, whose pass into the box was headed away for 4-0 by van Persie.  Netherlands led 4-0 at intermission.

Hungary converted a penalty kick after a handball by the Dutch to make it 4-1.  Robben jumped high to deaden an overhit cross with his head as he crashed into the turf.  Van Persie was the beneficiary as he strode into the box and pushed the ball home under no pressure for a hat trick to make it 5-1.  The goal moved van Persie past Patrick Kluivert and now van Persie stands alone as the Netherlands' all-time top goalscorer.  Szilard Devecseri decided to get in on the scoring, too, so he nodded off the bounce into his own net under no pressure to give Netherlands a sixth goal.  Rafael van der Vaart scored on a free kick with help from a deflection in the Hungarian wall for goal number seven.  Robben finished the match off with a pure free kick that simply beat the goalkeeper.  Netherlands win 8-1 and prove why they are a team to be feared at Brasil 2014.

Romania made their final road appearance in Group D qualifying as they took on Andorra in Andorra la Vella.  As usual, Andorra held tough for the first half hour.  Bogdan Stancu wasted a perfect ball by Gabriel Torje, missed a point blank header that would have given Romania the lead.  Stancu redeemed himself with a nice trap on a slightly overhit ball in the Andorran box.  Stancu chipped across the face of goal, and Claudiu Keseru scored with his head.  Romania led 1-0 after the opening half.

Stancu received an open header at the back post, but this time he made no mistake, nodding the ball off the turf and into the goal for 2-0.  Ten minutes later, Vlad Chiriches was dragged down in the Andorran box for a penalty kick.  The Romanians led 3-0 after the penalty conversion.  Twenty minutes later, a heavy dipping free kick from Torje was so hard that it knocked Costin Lazar to the floor after he headed it.  Luckily for Lazar, he managed to power the ball into the goal to make it a fourth goal for the visitors.  Romania win 4-0 and are tied for second place in Group D with one match remaining against Estonia.

Netherlands 25 pts IN
Turkey 16 pts +9
Romania 16 pts +5
Hungary 14 pts -1
Estonia OUT
Andorra OUT

Goals
Turkey
Umut Bulut 22
Burak Yilmaz 47

Netherlands
Robin van Persie 15, 42, 52
Kevin Strootman 24
Jeremain Lens 37
Szilard Devecseri 64 OG
Rafael van der Vaart 85
Arjen Robben 89

Hungary
Balazs Dzsudzsak 46 PK

Romania
Claudiu Keseru 42
Bogdan Stancu 53
Gabriel Torje 63 PK
Costin Lazar 83

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en/match/92581/estonia-vs-turkey/report?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2455254/Holland-8-Hungary-1--match-report-Robin-van-Persie-hits-hat-trick-Hollands-record-scorer.html
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/92582/netherlands-vs-hungary/report
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/11/holland-hungary-world-cup-qualifying-match-report
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/254424/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgRjR7J_qVk (Turkey v. Estonia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9he6KN4Aqk (Netherlands v. Hungary)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDWmDVwAu9s (Romania v. Andorra)

Denmark 2 - Italy 2; Armenia 2 - Bulgaria 1; Czech Republic 4 - Malta 1

Yerevan was the site of Armenia's home date with Bulgaria.  Only a win would keep Armenia alive in the competition.  Nikolay Bodurov was given a straight red in minute 44 for a bad tackle just outside of his penalty area on Aras Ozbiliz, leaving Bulgaria to cope a man down.  Ozbiliz lofted a soft free kick up and over the wall that left the keeper flatfooted and the Armenians ahead by a goal.  The halftime score was Armenia 1, Bulgaria 0.

Bulgaria were asserting themselves nicely at the start of the half.  At the hour mark, they earned a short-range free kick from the half circle.  Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov curled the ball into the net off the free kick to even the match at 1-1.  Svetoslav Dyakov made the bid to earn the point extremely difficult for Bulgaria when he earned a second yellow card in minute 63, leaving Bulgaria with only nine men on the pitch.  Yura Movsisyan finished the match off with a chip goal as he was sandwiched between the goalkeeper and his marker.  Armenia went close to adding a third on a couple occasions, but they will be pleased with the 2-1 victory.

Czech Republic made the trek south to Ta'Qali to take on Malta.  A deflection carried a Tomas Hubschman shot into the Maltese goal within three minutes of the opening whistle to settle the nerves of the visiting Czechs.  A Frantisek Rajtoral lofted cross floated tantalizingly for Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber, but he could not get to the ball before David Lafata did.  Lafata hit his header into the vacant net to put the Czechs ahead by two.  The halftime score was 2-0 in favor of the visitors.

Roderick Briffa sparked Malta with a nice chip forward into the path of Michael Mifsud.  Malta's all-time leading scorer added the finish to bring his side within 2-1.  A shanked shot inside the Maltese area rolled slowly between two defenders and Haber before Vaclav Kadlec flicked the ball on target with his back to goal.  Luke Dimech was too close to be able to react to the unorthodox shot, so the Czech Republic were ahead 3-1.  Andrei Agius lost out on a header in the final minute to Tomas Pekhart, whose shot went into the top corner to seal the game for the visitors.  Czech Republic win 4-1.

Denmark hoped the friendly confines of Copenhagen would propel them to victory against group winners Italy.  Italy centerback Thiago Motta sent a long ball forward for Pablo Osvaldo, who did the rest of the work by nutmegging Daniel Agger and then finishing into the far corner to put Italy ahead before the half hour mark.  In stoppage time, Michael Krohn-Dehli sent a cross to the far post.  Nicklas Bendtner rose above Federico Balzaretti to send a bouncing header crashing into the Italian net.  The teams went into their locker rooms tied at one goal apiece.

With little more than ten minutes remaining, Denmark executed a carbon copy of their first goal.  A Krohn-Dehli cross was led to a bouncing header goal by Bendtner, who again rose above Balzaretti for the finish.  A frantic Italy pushed forward in stoppage time and were rewarded with good fortune.  An Osvaldo shot to the far post would have easily been saved, but the shot deflected off the shins of teammate Alberto Aquilani and into the net to even the score.  Denmark did not have enough time to respond, and the teams settle for a 2-2 draw that leaves Denmark clinging to their tournament lives.

Italy 21 pts IN
Bulgaria 13 pts +6
Denmark 13 pts -1
Czech Rep OUT
Armenia 12 pts -1
Malta OUT

Goals
Armenia
Aras Ozbiliz 45
Yura Movsisyan 87

Bulgaria
Ivelin Popov 61

Czech Republic
Tomas Hubschman 3
David Lafata 33
Vaclav Kadlec 51
Tomas Pekhart 90

Malta
Michael Mifsud 47

Italy
Pablo Osvaldo 28
Alberto Aquilani 90+1

Denmark
Nicklas Bendtner 45+1, 79

Match Reports:
http://asbarez.com/114949/armenia-beats-bulgaria-2-1/
http://www.thestar.com.my/Sport/Football/2013/10/12/Bulgarias-playoff-hopes-hit-by-21-defeat-in-Armenia.aspx
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/czechs-beat-malta-4-1-keep-alive-qualifying-195057302--sow.html#m89fp9M
http://www.goal.com/en/match/92560/denmark-vs-italy/report
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/11/4828570/italy-denmark-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVEeJa8qlMQ (Armenia v. Bulgaria)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb5_oQYJbG4 (Czech Republic v. Malta)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_A2bTP8QhM (Denmark v. Italy)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDjQ_--83gw (Armenia v. Bulgaria 1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88JZWCQ3STA (Armenia v. Bulgaria 2nd half)

Match Schedule: October 2013

October 2013 will be the month that most clears up the qualification picture for Brasil 2014.  Africa will feature only five matches, but these are all the first legs of two-legged playoff series.  South America goes through its final two matchdays.  Three more teams will qualify directly to Brasil this month from the home continent, but only one team will be eliminated.  Seven teams will qualify from Europe this month while fourteen more will be eliminated, including one very unlucky second-place finisher.  North America will send one final contender into the finals this month while seeing two of its teams getting the boot.  An additional ten teams worldwide will be booking their arrangements for do-or-die playoff series in November.

All times are given in Central Time (GMT-5).

11 October 2013
Bulgaria at Armenia 10:00 Yerevan
Northern Ireland at Azerbaijan 11:00 Baku
San Marino at Moldova 11:00 Chisinau
Belgium at Croatia 11:00 Zagreb
Kazakhstan at Faroe Islands 12:00 Torshavn
Latvia at Lithuania 12:30 Vilnius
Czech Republic at Malta 12:30 Ta'Qali
Poland at Ukraine 13:00 Kharkiv
Liechtenstein at Bosnia and Herzegovina 13:00 Zenica
Italy at Denmark 13:15 Copenhagen
Turkey at Estonia 13:30 Tallinn
Switzerland at Albania 13:30 Tirana
Russia at Luxembourg 13:30 Luxembourg
Hungary at Netherlands 13:30 Amsterdam
Romania at Andorra 13:30 Andorra la Vella
Slovakia at Greece 13:45 Piraeus
Norway at Slovenia 13:45 Maribor
Ireland at Germany 13:45 Cologne
Austria at Sweden 13:45 Solna
Macedonia at Wales 13:45 Cardiff
Cyprus at Iceland 13:45 Reykjavik
Montenegro at England 14:00 London
Israel at Portugal 14:45 Lisbon
Belarus at Spain 15:00 Palma
Paraguay at Venezuela 16:00 San Cristobal
Chile at Colombia 16:00 Barranquilla
Uruguay at Ecuador 16:00 Quito
Costa Rica at Honduras 16:00 San Pedro Sula
Jamaica at United States of America 17:36 Kansas City
Peru at Argentina 18:00 Buenos Aires
Panama at Mexico 20:30 Mexico City

12 October 2013
Algeria at Burkina Faso 11:00 Ouagadougou
Senegal at Cote d'Ivoire 12:00 Abidjan

13 October 2013
Nigeria at Ethiopia 8:00 Addis Ababa
Cameroon at Tunisia 12:00 Rades

15 October 2013
Albania at Cyprus 11:00 Nicosia
Egypt at Ghana 11:00 Kumasi
Russia at Azerbaijan 12:00 Baku
Northern Ireland at Israel 12:00 Ramat Gan
Liechtenstein at Greece 12:00 Piraeus
Bosnia and Herzegovina at Lithuania 12:00 Kaunas
Luxembourg at Portugal 12:00 Coimbra
Netherlands at Turkey 13:00 Istanbul
Estonia at Romania 13:00 Bucharest
Andorra at Hungary 13:00 Budapest
Slovenia at Switzerland 13:00 Bern
Iceland at Norway 13:00 Oslo
Slovakia at Latvia 13:10 Riga
Czech Republic at Bulgaria 13:15 Sofia
Malta at Denmark 13:15 Copenhagen
Macedonia at Serbia 13:30 Jagodina
Armenia at Italy 13:45 Naples
Germany at Sweden 13:45 Solna
Austria at Faroe Islands 13:45 Torshavn
Kazakhstan at Ireland 13:45 Dublin
Moldova at Montenegro 14:00 Podgorica
Ukraine at San Marino 14:00 Serravalle
Wales at Belgium 14:00 Brussels
Finland at France 14:00 Saint-Denis
Georgia at Spain 14:00 Albacete
Poland at England 14:00 London
Croatia at Scotland 14:00 Glasgow
Argentina at Uruguay 18:30 Montevideo
Colombia at Paraguay 18:30 Asuncion
Ecuador at Chile 18:30 Santiago
Honduras at Jamaica 20:30 Kingston
United States of America at Panama 20:30 Panama City
Mexico at Costa Rica 20:30 San Jose
Bolivia at Peru 21:15 Lima

CAF Third Round Schedule

The final ten teams in Africa will face each other in five separate home-and-away aggregate-goals series.  The five winners will advance to the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brasil.  Each series will feature one match in October and one match in November.

12 October 2013
Senegal at Cote d'Ivoire
Algeria at Burkina Faso

13 October 2013
Nigeria at Ethiopia
Cameroon at Tunisia

15 October 2013
Egypt at Ghana

16 November 2013
Cote d'Ivoire at Senegal
Ethiopia at Nigeria

17 November 2013
Tunisia at Cameroon

19 November 2013
Ghana at Egypt
Burkina Faso at Algeria

Africa Round Three Draw

Luxor, Egypt, was the site for the draw for the CAF Third Round today.  The biggest question was against which power team Egypt would be placed.  Another burning question was which lower-ranked team would be granted the chance to play a Tunisia in shambles, having recently replaced their coach following what they thought was their elimination.  Tunisia, of course, were revived by the disqualification of Cape Verde only two days after having seen their dreams crushed by a 2-0 loss at home to those same Blue Sharks.

The draw gods were out in full force today.  Top seed Cote d'Ivoire were drawn against the very same Senegal team they eliminated in a two-legged playoff to reach the 2013 African Cup of Nations finals.  On that occasion, the second leg in Dakar had to be stopped early due to riots from the Senegalese fans.  Because of this, Senegal will not be able to play the second leg in Senegal and must find a neutral venue.  Africa's two most populous countries Nigeria and Ethiopia face off over two legs.  The resurgent Ethiopia, African champions as recently as 1962, look to undo their 2-0 loss in the 2013 African Cup of Nations to Nigeria, African champions as recently as 2013.  Eternal powers Ghana and Egypt face off, with Ghana trying to make it three straight appearances at a FIFA World Cup finals and Egypt trying to get back for the first time since 1990.  Algeria avoided a North African derby with Egypt, but they do run into the best incarnation of a national team that Burkina Faso have ever produced.  Burkina Faso, finalists at the 2013 African Cup of Nations, try to deny Algeria a second straight finals appearance while looking for their first ever appearance.  Lastly, Cameroon would have had a rematch of their shocking loss in a two-legged qualifying series for the 2013 African Cup of Nations to Cape Verde, but Tunisia have stepped into the shoes of the Blue Sharks, giving Cameroon the best possible draw for which they could have hoped.

The five home-and-away aggregate-goals series are listed below with the home team for the first leg listed first.  The first legs will be played between 11 and 15 October 2013.  The second legs will be played between 15 and 19 November 2013.  The teams' current ELO ratings are listed.

21 Cote d'Ivoire - 63 Senegal
103 Ethiopia - 30 Nigeria
76 Tunisia - 62 Cameroon
38 Ghana - 34 Egypt
65 Burkina Faso - 59 Algeria

If I have to pick the five winners (and I do), I am going with Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, and Algeria, which would be the exact same five African teams that qualified for South Africa 2010.

News Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2174867/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_2

Video of Draw:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDaW4ThB6_Y

CAF Third Round Pot Allocations

Africa has been awarded five spots at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brasil. The final ten African teams will learn their qualifying fates this Monday, 16 September 2013, at the draw ceremony in Cairo.  Of the original top ten seeds from the preliminary draw, all but South Africa have advanced to the CAF Third Round draw.  Ethiopia are the only team outside the top ten to have made it this far.

Teams ranked 1 to 5 have been placed in Pot 1. Teams ranked 6 to 10 have been placed in Pot 2. One team from each pot will be drawn into each of five home-and-away aggregate-goals series. Teams have been placed in pots 1 and 2 for the third-round draw as follows.

Pot 1

1. Cote d'Ivoire

2. Ghana

3. Algeria
4. Nigeria

5. Tunisia

Pot 2
6. Egypt
7. Burkina Faso
8. Cameroon
9. Senegal
10. Ethiopia

Cape Verde docked points for ineligible player

Cape Verde become the seventh African team sanctioned for fielding ineligible players in a qualifying match during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Cape Verde forfeit their 2-0 road victory over Tunisia on 7 September 2013.  Fernando Varela had not yet fully served his full four-match suspension for aggressive behavior toward an official.  The match has been awarded as a 3-0 victory to Tunisia.  This reverse of the result means that Tunisia have been given new life in the chase for Brasil 2014, as the original result had eliminated them.  Cape Verde, on the other hand, have now been eliminated whereas with the original result they had qualified to the CAF Third Round as Group B winner.

Tunisia 14 pts
Cape Verde OUT
Sierra Leone OUT
Eq. Guinea OUT

News Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2172738/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_related_items

Argentina 5 - Paraguay 2

Hosts Paraguay and visiting Argentina clashed in Asuncion with Paraguay trying to postpone Argentina's qualification celebrations by another month.  Angel di Maria led an Argentine breakaway ten minutes into the match.  He crossed into the box to Sergio Aguero, but Aguero was chopped down by Paraguay goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez for a penalty kick.  Lionel Messi (pictured, blue) converted for 1-0.  Paraguay were level when a Jose Nunez flick from a sharp angle was mishandled by Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero, allowing the equalizing goal to trickle through.  Argentina re-established their advantage on a play where Messi chested down a long ball to a play where Aguero was sure to get to it before his two defenders.  Aguero spun and socred on a low roller to make it 2-1.  Argentina led 2-1 at intermission.

Fernando Gago laced a long, rolling through ball to put di Maria in on goal with Rodrigo Palacios open for a slotted ball.  Di Maria chose to take the shot himself, and he scored to make it 3-1 to Argentina.  Messi has trying some ball tricks in the Paraguayan penalty area one minute later when Salustiano Candia impeded his progress.  Messi converted from the penalty spot a second time.  Argentina were up 4-1, and the celebration was destined to happen tonight.  Paraguay caught Argentina on the break with little time remaining.  Miguel Samudio tapped a cross laterally along the box, and a charging Roque Santa Cruz was able to cut the ball across Romero's momentum to make it 4-2.  Argentina had a fifth in the final minute of play.  Substitutes Maxi Rodriguez and Ezequiel Lavezzi played a one-two-one with the finish coming after Rodriguez made a full spin before connecting with the ball on his preferred foot.  Argentina win 5-2 and become the first team from South America to qualify for Brasil 2014.

Argentina 29 pts IN
Colombia 26 pts +13
Chile 24 pts +3
Ecuador 22 pts +4
Uruguay 22 pts 0
Venezuela 19 pts -6
Peru OUT
Bolivia OUT
Paraguay OUT

Goals
Argentina
Lionel Messi 12 PK, 52 PK
Sergio Aguero 32
Angel di Maria 50
Maxi Rodriguez 90

Paraguay
Jose Nuñez 18
Roque Santa Cruz 86

Match Reports:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/09/11/uk-soccer-world-argentina-finals-idUKBRE98A05Z20130911
http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/97328/paraguay-vs-argentina/report?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1769419-argentina-vs-paraguay-score-grades-and-post-match-reaction

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fq8advUpkY

Panama 2 - Honduras 2

Tegucigalpa was the site for the second successive home qualifier for Honduras.  Panama may have been unhappy with the venue change, having won in San Pedro Sula during the previous round of qualifying.  Panama were the brighter team early on, but Honduras caught them on the counter.  Brayan Beckeles hit a cross too close to Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, but Penedo let the ball through his hands, and Carlo Costly (pictured, white) was there to tap in for the goal.  The Catrachos led 1-0 at halftime.

Panama scored what could easily be deemed the best goal of the entire tournament to equalize.  Jairo Jimenez moseyed up the left side of the pitch.  His cross was well short of the near post, but wonderman Gabriel Torres flicked the ball inside-out with his right foot swinging over the head of Victor Bernardez.  Somehow, Torres got the ball to dip up and over a well-positioned goalkeeper for the best goal of the night.  On any other night, Wilson Palacios's goal would have been the goal of the night.  He took a heavy pass from Roger Espinoza and killed it in the Panama box.  Then, Palacios nutmegged Felipe Baloy without any momentum going forward before finishing in the space which he had created for himself, giving Honduras a 2-1 lead.  Panama were desperately pressing for the equalizer.  Alcibiades Rojas played a perfect ball for Blas Perez to head goalward, but Perez missed from close range.  Later Amilcar Henriquez hit a bouncer from a Perez header back upfield from the end line that just failed to dip under the crossbar.  Just when it seemed the comeback bid would fall short, Panama struck again.  A Luis Henriquez cross was ever so slightly brushed by the foot of Perez, but the ball hit the shin of an onrushing Panama centerback Roberto Chen (pictured, red) and flew into the net to even the score.  Panama and Honduras tie 2-2.  With the results of tonight's three matches in CONCACAF qualifying, both the United States of America and Costa Rica have clinched spots at Brasil 2014.

USA 16 pts IN
Costa Rica 15 pts IN
Honduras 11 pts 0
Panama 8 pts -2
Mexico 8 pts -2
Jamaica 3 pts -6

Goals
Honduras
Carlo Costly 27
Wilson Palacios 61

Panama
Gabriel Torres 50
Roberto Chen 90

Match Reports:
http://www.7msport.com/video/20130912/6324.shtml

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES69fH23UxU

United States of America 2 - Mexico 0

Columbus was the site of the United States of America's home match against Mexico for the fourth straight time in the final round of FIFA World Cup qualifying.  The past three matches all went 2-0 to the Yanks.  The United States nearly suffered an own goal as a cross ricocheted off the plant leg of Demarcus Beasley, but the ball went straight to the goalkeeper.  Argentina-born naturalized Mexican forward Christian Gimenez was the danger man on this night for El Tri, and he nearly tucked a short, angled free kick into the goal.  The Yanks almost scored off a corner when Eddie Johnson rose above Gimenez to power a header downward, but the ball was scooped up by Mexico goalkeeper Jesus Corona (pictured, red).  With two minutes to go, Giovani Dos Santos struck a speedy knuckler, but United States netminder Tim Howard dove and plucked it out of the air.  The teams were level at 0-0 going into the break.

The Americans worked magic on a corner kick five minutes into the new half.  Johnson snuck behind his original markers and then rose above and in front of Diego Reyes.  Corona had for some unknown reason rushed out to punch the ball while allowing both Johnson and Reyes to be nearer to the ball.  Johnson's header found the empty net for the opener.  With a dozen minutes to go, injury substitute Mix Diskerud in the American midfield made a brilliant chipped flick to himself to evade a defender and roll out to the right flank.  He pass rolled right along the face of the six-yard box, beating all the defenders and allowing Landon Donovan (pictured, white #10) to side foot the ball away for the second goal.  Clint Dempsey (pictured, white, sitting) was brought down in the penalty area by Jesus Zavala in stoppage time, giving the Americans a chance to add on.  However, Dempsey shanked the penalty kick as time expired in stoppage time, giving the United States a fourth straight home victory over Mexico in Columbus in qualifying by the same scoreline every time.  United States win 2-0 and will qualify for Brasil 2014 if Panama fail to win at Honduras later tonight.

Goals
United States of America
Eddie Johnson 50
Landon Donovan 78

Match Reports:
http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1549673/us-blanks-mexico-move-closer-wcup?cc=5901
http://soccer.si.com/2013/09/10/usa-mexico-dos-a-cero/?sct=hp_t2_a1&eref=sihp
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/public/2013/09/10/u.s.-mexico.html
http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/usnationalteam/id/646?cc=5901
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/9/10/4717196/usa-vs-mexico-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fc7Phg7sec

Jamaica 1 - Costa Rica 1

Costa Rica made the trip to the Office in Kingston to take on local boyz Jamaica.  In the first half, both teams have various chances, though Jamaica were the only team to take any shots from inside the box.  At the tail end of the half, Costa Rica began to control the game.  However, the first half ended without having seen a goal.

The match calmed down significantly for thirty minutes only an errant pass from Jamaica goalkeeper Richard McCallum was picked up by Randall Brenes.  McCallum doubled his trouble by failing to keep a soft Brenes shot out at his near post, so the Ticos were up 1-0.  The calls for Jermaine "Tuffy" Anderson to play for the Reggae Boyz have been incessant ever since he became the top scorer in the Jamaican league, and finally he got his chance tonight, coming on midway through the second half.  In stoppage time, Jamaica centerback Jermaine Taylor lofted a ball over the top from midfield.  Anderson outsprinted Michael Umaña to the quickly dipping ball.  Anderson's outstretched foot sent the ball rolling slowly into the far side of the goal, tying the match in the dying moments.  The 1-1 draw delays Costa Rica's qualification party for the time being, but if both Mexico and Panama fail to win later tonight then Costa Rica qualify anyway.

Goals
Costa Rica
Randall Brenes 75

Jamaica
Jermaine Anderson 90+2

Match Reports:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130911/sports/sports1.html
http://www.thestar.com.my/Sport/Football/2013/09/11/Costa-Rica-close-to-qualification-despite-late-equaliser.aspx

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

Venezuela 3 - Peru 2

By kickoff, Venezuela knew they had no choice but to win their final two matches at home if they wanted to avoid being eliminated.  First up were Peru in Puerto La Cruz tonight.  Peru were ahead after twenty minutes.  A soft pass from out to Cristopher Hurtado forced Hurtado to hurdle a sliding Venezuela centerback Fernando Amorebieta.  That Hurtado did, and he finish smartly under no pressure to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.  On a short pass from Cesar Gonzalez, Venezuela striker Salomon Rondon nearly tripped over the ball.  Miraculously, Rondon kept his balance and three-stepped through three defenders to somehow get a shot off and into the Peruvian net.  The match was all square at one goal apiece at halftime.

Gonzalez hit a rocket shot five minutes after the restart that was batted aside on the dive by Peru goalkeeper Raul Fernandez.  Venezuela were fortunate to receive a penalty kick after the ball played the hand of a Peru defender from a Yohandry Orozco flick.  La Vinotinto would convert for the 2-1 lead.  With a huge goal differential to overcome should they wish to qualify, Venezuela could not rest on such a slim lead.  Fifteen minutes after their second, Venezuela found a third.  Lazy defending on a throw-in allowed Orozco room to roam up the right flank.  He cut in and laid off to Romulo Otero at the half circle.  Otero one-timed a finish into the bottom corner and Venezuela were away 3-1.  With three minutes to go, Carlos Lobaton curled a free kick dangerously into the Venezuelan penalty area, and Carlos Zambrano was able to head the ball into the goal to cut the gap to 3-2.  Venezuela were able to hold on, but the late Peruvian goal could hurt them in the chase for Brasil 2014.  Venezuela win 3-2 to remain alive in the chase for a berth in the intercontinental playoffs.  Peru have been eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup by their loss tonight.

Goals
Venezuela
Salomon Rondon 36
Cesar Gonzalez 62 PK
Romulo Otero 77

Peru
Cristopher Hurtado 20
Carlos Zambrano 89

Match Reports:
http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-peru-loses-3-2-to-venezuelan-soccer-team-100870
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/09/11/venezuela-beat-peru-3-2-keep-world-cup-hopes-alive

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDJptLUiAH4