Weekly Football News, November 20 2013
Remarkable Ronaldo can't stop scoring
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo's remarkable start to the 2013/14 season continued in Solna as he blasted a second-half hat-trick to see off Sweden 3-2 (4-2 on aggregate).
Ronaldo's three goals took his tally for club and country to 28 in 20 matches so far this season, while he also moved level with Pauleta as Portugal's record goalscorer on 47 international strikes.
"I know Portugal needed me in these matches and I showed I am here. I just did my work as I have been doing lately," he claimed modestly after the victory, which ensured that Portugal qualified for a fourth straight World Cup finals.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's free header and then bullet free-kick briefly gave the Swedes a second leg lead as well as hope that they could repeat the comeback witnessed against Germany in the qualifying campaign, when they rebounded from 4-0 down to draw 4-4.
However, Ronaldo had the final word, confirming his position as the best player in the world on current form.
France can surprise in Brazil: Deschamps
France coach Didier Deschamps has claimed that his side's performance in the second leg of their playoff against Ukraine demonstrates that they can surprise detractors in Brazil next year.
Le Bleus overturned a two-goal first leg deficit last night to book their passage to Brazil 2014, thanks to first-half goals from Mamadou Sakho and Karim Benzema and Oleg Gusev's unfortunate own goal after Yevhen Khacheridi had been sent off.
"It's the magic of football," Deschamps said after the win. "Four days ago we were bad, very bad, but the players responded well. Tonight we played very well.
"It was very important for French football that we are in Brazil next summer. We will be there, that is very good.
"We were up against a good team and we showed a lot of heart and enthusiasm.
"When you have these basic ingredients, you can achieve good things."
Elsewhere in Europe, ten-man Croatia dispatched Iceland to qualify, while a 1-1 draw in Bucharest ensured Greece's safe passage after a 3-1 win in the home leg.
Ghana and Algeria punch their tickets for Brazil
Ghana and Algeria booked the final two places on offer for African teams, eliminating Egypt and Burkina Faso to join the other three playoff victors over the weekend of Nigeria, Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire.
The Black Stars could afford a slender 2-1 defeat in Egypt after thrashing the home side 6-1 in the first leg.
Elsewhere, Oribe Peralta blasted a first-half hat-trick to see Mexico through 9-3 on aggregate against New Zealand, while Uruguay hold a 5-0 advantage from the first leg against Jordan.
Gibraltar unbeaten after historic opener
Gibraltar made their historic debut as a Uefa member nation and remain the only undefeated side in European competition after holding Slovakia to a goalless draw in Portugal.
Much of the British colony's squad, managed by Gibraltarian Allen Bula, is made up of amateurs from Gibraltar's domestic league, although it does include former Manchester United and Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham and Barnsley's Scott Wiseman.
Higginbotham, who now plays for non-league Chester City and was making his international debut aged 34, was the home side's standout player as they kept Slovakia at bay.
The Slovakians recently won 2-0 in Poland and are ranked 27th in the Fifa rankings, but the closest they came to breaking the deadlock was in stoppage time when a miscued clearance struck Gibraltar's bar.
Compiled by Marc Fox
2013 World Soccer News
Sven United Rumours - 4 November Football News - Sven Goran Eriksson says he was offered Manchester United job.
Bosnia Brazil Bound - 16 October Football News - Bosnia Hercegovina book passage to Brazil.
Benitez Baits Blues - 1 October Football News - Benitez antagonises Chelsea with Wenger acclaim.
CR7 - 16 September Football News - Ronaldo: Manchester United are in the past.
Spurs Spend Bale Windfall - 26 August Football News - Spurs increase spending with sale of Bale.
Robin van Persie Kid Gloves - 12 August Football News - van Persie must be handled with care, according to Moyes
Alcantara to Hollywood - 15 July Football News - Fulham has a new owner as Alcantara joins Bayern.
Confed Cup - 1 July Football News - Brazil beat Spain 3-0 to win Confederations Cup.
Pirlo Masterclass - 17 June Football News - Pirlo is in regal form as Italy defeat Mexico at the Confederations Cup.
Champions League - 27 May Football News - Bayern beat Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final.
Sir Alex To Leave - 13 May Football News - Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini both leaving as managers of the Manchester clubs.
Luis Suarez - 22 April Football News - Luis Suarez in the news for all the wrong reasons.
Rafa's Return - 11 April Football News - Rafa wants to return to Liverpool one day.
Manchester City Plan B - 8 April Football News - Manchester City lack a plan B according to Gary Neville.
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