Burkina Faso booked their place at the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, while defending champions Egypt crashed out to Sierra Leone.

Spanish winger Albert Riera has signed a four-year contract with Turkish club Galatasaray, completing a move from Olympiacos.

An 89th minute Michal Kadlec penalty denied Scotland of all three points in their UEFA EURO 2012 Group I qualifying match, securing a late 2-2 draw for the Czech Republic.

Germany made sure of their place at UEFA EURO 2012 in emphatic style on Friday, while Italy, the Netherlands, France and England all moved a step closer to joining them.

Cesc Fabregas scored a double after Andres Iniesta sparked Spain to life in a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Chile.

France survived a second-half scare to defeat Albania 2-1, scoring through Karim Benzema and Yann M'Vila to move three points clear at the top of UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group D.

Despite a brave attempt from Faroe Islands, a solitary goal from Antonio Cassano sealed a slender victory for Italy to move them one step closer to UEFA EURO 2012 qualification.

Germany cruised to an emphatic 6-2 win over Austria in their Group A match, booking their place in UEFA EURO 2012 in convincing fashion.

Hungary snatched a 2-1 victory over Sweden through a 90th-minute Gergely Rudolf strike, drawing level with their opponents in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group E.

Wayne Rooney bagged a brace after Gary Cahill opened the scoring in a convincing 3-0 victory for England over Bulgaria to set the Three Lions well on their way to qualifying for UEFA EURO 2012.

Norway clinched a narrow 1-0 victory over Nordic neighbours Iceland, with Mohamed Abdellaoui scoring a penalty late on to move his side ahead of Denmark in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group H.

Arda Turan scored a last-gasp free-kick to rescue a 2-1 victory for Turkey over Kazakhstan, sending his side into second place in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group A.

Igor Semshov scored just before half-time to lift Russia 1-0 past FYR Macedonia, clinching top spot in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group B.

Kasper Hamalainen bagged a brace in a comfortable 4-1 victory for Finland over Moldova in their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group E match.

Frank Lampard was left out of Fabio Capello's starting line-up for England's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying match with Bulgaria, with the coach handing Scott Parker the start.

Celtic have been reinstated into the UEFA Europa League after their appeal to UEFA regarding Sion fielding ineligible players during their play-off tie was upheld.

As Kolo Toure prepares to make his return from a six-month suspension, the Manchester City defender has said he is ready to fight for a first-team place.

FIFA.com takes a look at the many international stars to grace MLS in its 16-year history, from the likes of Lothar Matthaus and Roberto Donadoni to more recent big names such as Rafa Marquez and David Beckham.

A second-half Nicolas Otamendi header edged Argentina 1-0 past Venezuela in an international friendly, with Lionel Messi wearing the Argentinian captain band for the first time.

Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil is eyeing titles with Real Madrid, and believes the time has come for the Spanish giants to overtake Barcelona at the top.

A solitary Sotiris Ninis strike was enough for Greece to edge Israel 1-0 and continue their unbeaten run in UEFA EURO 2012 Group F qualifying.

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Argentinian champions Velez Sarsfield were held to a goalless draw by compatriots Argentinos Juniors in their first-leg Copa Sudamericana tie, while Peru's Universitario won 2-1 at Venezuela's Anzoategui.

America are four points adrift at the bottom of the Campeonato Brasileiro after a goalless draw away to Bahia in Salvador.

Portugal coach Paulo Bento says his team need to focus on collecting three points against Cyprus in their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier and put aside Ricardo Carvalho's sudden international retirement.

Veteran Italian striker Filippo Inzaghi, the second-highest scorer in European club competition, has been left out of AC Milan's 25-man UEFA Champions League squad.

Espanyol winger Felipe Mattioni has been ruled out for six months after damaging the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Netherlands boss Bert van Marwijk has promised the fans his side will provide goals when they take on San Marino in a UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier tomorrow.

It is crunch time in the Group B as the top three look to find a way to pull clear in this weekend's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers.

Mikel Arteta is looking forward to testing himself in the UEFA Champions League with Arsenal following his £10million deadline-day move from Everton.

The Azzurri coach has played down his role in their revival and warned his players against complacency against Faroe Islands, while Grant McCann has urged Northern Ireland to beat Serbia.

After a proposed move to Fulham failed to transpire, forward Andre-Pierre Gignac has been told he is still in Marseille’s first-team plans.

Lyon target Delvin Ndinga has committed his future to Auxerre by signing a new four-year contract.

Greece's players have been speaking about putting their unbeaten record against Israel, with the afternoon heat in Tel Aviv among their main concerns.

Danish centre-back Simon Kjaer and Argentinian midfielder Fernando Gago have expressed their delight at joining Roma, with the latter insisting he and Daniele De Rossi can play together.

Eljero Elia has revealed Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk urged him to move to England, where Arsenal were interested, but that the lure of emulating Fabrizio Ravanelli and Alessandro Del Piero was too good to turn down.

Maurizio Zamparini has revealed why he dismissed Stefano Pioli just before the Serie A season kicks off and discussed the search for his replacement.

Craig Bellamy has disclosed his delight at rejoining Liverpool and being signed by his boyhood idol Kenny Dalglish, and discussed the club’s prospects and core of British players.

Rodrigo Palacio has extended his contract with Genoa for a further year after his proposed move to Inter Milan collapsed.

Schalke left it late to make Teemu Pukki their final signing of the summer with the contract registered just before the transfer deadline last night.

Corinthians are two points clear of Vasco da Gama at the top thanks to a nine-man 3-2 win over Gremio, while Flamengo dropped to fourth after a 3-2 defeat at Avai.

A last-gasp goal by Juan Neira helped Argentinian side Lanus gain a 2-2 draw against compatriots Godoy Cruz in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana second round.

Fulham have beaten off Newcastle for the signature of FC Twente attacker Bryan Ruiz, with the highly-rated Costa Rican penning a four-year deal.

Everton have signed left-sided Dutchman Royston Drenthe from Real Madrid on a season-long loan, with the Toffees also securing striker Denis Stracqualursi from Argentinian side Tigres.

Aston Villa have completed deadline-day deals for Scotland full-back Alan Hutton and England midfielder Jermaine Jenas, both from Tottenham.

A busy transfer deadline day in England was highlighted by Arsenal securing Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Andre Santos and Yossi Benayoun, while Peter Crouch followed Spurs team-mate Wilson Palacios to Stoke.

QPR have completed the signing of Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips to become the fourth major signing of the Tony Fernandes era.

Sunderland have clinched Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner on a season-long loan deal in hopes to reconcile their early scoring woes this Premier League season.

Arsenal completed a last-gasp swoop for Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta, signing the 29-year-old on a four-year contract.

Chelsea have succeeded in a swoop for Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles, agreeing a fee around £12 million.

Abderrahmane Belmajdoub, who represented France at the 1954 FIFA World Cup™, has died at the age of 89 in Casablanca.

Palermo have dismissed Stefano Pioli from his post as head coach on the eve of the new Serie A season, replacing the manager with youth-team coach Devis Mangia.

Liverpool have signed Craig Bellamy from Manchester City in what will be a return for the forward to Anfield after having played for the club four years ago.

Portuguese international Helder Postiga has signed with Real Zaragoza from Sporting Lisbon for €1 million fee.

Stoke City have finalised the signing of Wilson Palacios from Tottenham Hotspurs on a four-year deal, however, are still trying to close a deal with Peter Crouch.

Bordeaux crashed out of the Coupe de la Ligue, falling 3-1 to Saint-Etienne, while Montpellier edged past Amiens 4-3 on penalties.

English Premier League side Arsenal tonight completed the formalities of German defender Per Mertesacker's transfer from Werder Bremen.

Ricardo Carvalho has ended his international career with Portugal, claiming he has been left "disrespected and hurt."

Bolton Wanderers have signed David Ngog from Liverpool on a three-year contract, as well as Gael Kakuta on loan from Chelsea.

USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann has recalled ten players from the national side's 1-1 draw with Mexico for an international friendly against Costa Rica.

Real Madrid parted company today with three players - winger Pedro Leon and midfielders Fernando Gago and Royston Drenthe - who coach Jose Mourinho has made clear have no place in his squad.

Atletico Madrid have signed Brazilian international Diego on loan from Wolfsbug, and have also confirmed the transfer of Elias Mendes to Sporting Lisbon.

Injury-plagued Owen Hargreaves has signed a one-year contract with Manchester City from crosstown English Premier League rivals United.

Scottish forward Shaun Maloney has signed a two-year contract with Premier League side Wigan Athletic in a £1 million deal.

Parma have loaned Sergio Floccari out to Lazio in a €1.5 million transfer deal, after the forward fell out of favour due to the additions of Miroslav Klose and Djibril Cisse in Rome.

Schalke have loaned Swiss forward Mario Gavranovic to Bundesliga rivals Mainz until the end of the season for €200,000.

New Lille signing Joe Cole hopes he can be an ambassador for French football and follow in the footsteps of fellow Englishmen Glenn Hoddle and Chris Waddle.

Robert Nouzaret has left his post as Congo DR head coach, citing differences with the Congolese federation as the reason for his departure.

Antonio Nocerino has signed a five-year contract with Italian champions AC Milan, completing a transfer from Palermo.

Costa Rican international Joel Campbell, who recently signed with Arsenal, has been sent out to Lorient on a one-year loan deal.

Ricardo Carvalho has been left off the Portugal squad for their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Cyprus after the defender left training camp by his own accord.

Argentinian midfielder Fernando Gago from Real Madrid has signed a season-long loan deal with Serie A outfit Roma.

Croatian midfielder Ivo Ilicevic has signed a four-year deal with Bundesliga club Hambourg, completing a switch from Kaiserslautern.

Inter Milan have swooped for Argentinian forward Mauro Zarate from Lazio in a season-long loan deal expected to be worth €3 million.

Rennes have signed Moroccan international Youssouf Hadji from Nancy, making his return to the Ligue 1 club.

French club Evian have confirmed the signing of Liverpool's Danish international midfielder Christian Poulsen.