A 1-0 victory in Dublin put France on the verge of qualification for the 2010 World Cup but the final step towards South Africa could still be a treacherous one in Paris on Wednesday.
Argentina coach Diego Maradona was banned for two months and fined more than $24,000 on Sunday after a foul-mouthed outburst at the end of last month's decisive World Cup qualifier in Uruguay.
Fabio Capello has identified Brazil as the side to beat at next year's World Cup after a second-string England side was on the receiving end of what their Italian coach admitted had been a tough lesson.
Wayne Rooney insisted England's best team would have a chance of beating Brazil at the World Cup, despite the chastening experience suffered here by a line-up captained by the Manchester United forward but otherwise missing the country's biggest stars.
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) signed a landmark deal with China Central Television (CCTV) last week, authorizing the station and its website to broadcast FIFA tournaments from now until 2014, including the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
China beat Lebanon on controversial goals Saturday in the Group D of 2011 Asian Cup qualifier.
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is aiming to return from an ankle injury before the La Liga club play champions and arch rivals Barcelona on Nov. 29.
Third-tier Alcorcon lost 1-0 to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Tuesday but dumped the nine-time European champions out of the King's Cup 4-1 on aggregate.
The suicide death of Robert Enke left Germany stunned Wednesday, sending the football-obsessed country into mourning and leaving the national team without its top goalkeeper at next year's World Cup.
Portugal will miss the injured Cristiano Ronaldo for their World Cup playoff but are still favourites to beat an attack-minded Bosnia side and complete a late surge to reach next year's finals in South Africa.
Germany and Hanover 96 goalkeeper Robert Enke has died after being hit by an express train in an apparent suicide near Hanover, local police said on Tuesday.
Steven Gerrard saved Liverpool from another damaging Premier League defeat on Monday when his controversial penalty earned a 2-2 home draw with Birmingham City.
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