Cameroon 1-1 Zambia Match Highlights (Aboubakar penalty earns Lions point in Limbe )

Collins Mbesuma of Zambia

Cameroon settled for a point at home to Zambia in Saturday’s Group B game in the 2018 World Cup qualifying series in Limbe.

Collins Mbesuma opened scoring for the visitors before Vincent Aboubakar scored from the penalty spot to give his side their second point of the campaign.

Coach Hugo Broos made two changes to the starting XI that drew against Algeria but he kept his front line of Aboubakar and Edgar Salli intact while Zambian coach Wesdon Nyirenda made four changes to the side that lost at home to Nigeria last month.

After sitting back to soak up the early pressure, Zambia surged forward and Chisamba Lungu sent a cross to Mbesuma which the big striker could not control towards goal.

Match Highlights

Zambia were luckier moments later on 34 minutes as Lungu once again ran down the right flank after a short free kick and sent in a cross which Mbesuma got down to smack into the net beyond Fabrice Ondoa.

The Lions had to gather their nerves after going behind and their pressure on the visitors’ defense paid off when a Zambian defender handled the ball inside the box.

Aboubakar it was who stepped up to the plate and sent Kennedy Mweene the wrong way to equalize in first half added time.

The Lions returned to the second half with more zest but they would be undone by Mweene’s resolute goalkeeping which at one time left the veteran in a heap after colliding with an on-rushing opponent.

But Zambia held on to earn their first point and breathe life into their campaign after their opening day defeat at home.

Cameroon failed to make home advantage count but would be consoled by the point which cements their second position following Algeria’s 3-1 loss to Nigeria in Uyo in the other match of Group B.

Nigeria sit on top of the ‘group of death’ with six points, four more than Cameroon with Zambia in third and favourites Algeria bottom.

Nigeria 3-1 Algeria Match Highlights (Nigeria Trash Algeria In World Cup Qualifier) #NGRAGR #WCQ

Mikel celebrating after scoring for the Eagles

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have beaten the Desert Warriors of Algeria 3-1 in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Chelsea forward Victor Moses scored Nigeria’s first goal in the 26th minute after a mix up in the Algerian defence.

Captain Mikel Obi added a second on 42 minutes after beating the offside trap set by the Algerian defence.

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Nabil Bentaleb pulled one back for Algeria in the second half but Victor Moses’s 2nd goal of match wrapped up all three points for the Super Eagles.

Victor Moses  scored two goals

Nigeria now have six points from the two matches played and have created a 4-point lead after Cameroon and Zambia played a 1-1 draw in the group’s other game.

Cameroon are second with two points while Zambia and Algeria who have both lost to Nigeria have one point each.

Captain Mikel Obi

Georges Leekens’ men are now in danger of missing out on the 2018 World Cup in spite of having some of the continent’s most in-form players and being ranked third in the continent behind the Ivory Coast and Senegal.

France 2-1 Sweden WCQ2018 Match Highlights (Pogba and Payet secure poignant win over Sweden)

Dimitri Payet celebrates his winning goal

Paul Pogba and Dimitri Payet were on target as France marked the first anniversary of the Paris attacks with victory over Sweden in a World Cup qualifier at Stade de France.

A minute's silence was observed before kick-off to remember the 130 victims of the attacks on 13 November 2015.

Emil Forsberg's free-kick put Sweden ahead in the second half but Manchester United's Pogba quickly equalised.

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Payet's 65th-minute winner moved France three points clear in Group A.

The West Ham midfielder had earlier set up the equaliser for Pogba, the world's most expensive player nodding home his team-mate's precise free-kick.

Payet capped a bright performance with the decisive goal, turning the ball in from close range after Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen fumbled.

England 3-0 Scotland WCQ 2018 Highlights ( England record biggest win over Scotland since 1975)

Daniel Sturridge headed home his eighth England goal

Gareth Southgate took a significant step towards being appointed England's full-time manager and intensified the pressure on Scotland counterpart Gordon Strachan in the process with a comfortable World Cup qualifying win at Wembley.

Southgate knew victory would press his claims to succeed Sam Allardyce on a permanent basis - and England delivered with a display that was unconvincing but easily enough to beat Scotland.

Daniel Sturridge's stooping, instinctive header from Kyle Walker's driven cross put the hosts ahead after 24 minutes and Liverpool team-mate Adam Lallana did the same from Danny Rose's delivery five minutes after the break.

James Forrest and Robert Snodgrass missed opportunities for the visitors before Lallana added England's second - and Gary Cahill's 61st-minute header from Wayne Rooney's corner only increased Strachan's agony.

England now top Group F while Scotland languish in fifth, with their hopes of qualifying for the 2018 tournament in Russia fading fast.

Match Highlights

England's interim manager deflected all talk about his future in the build-up to this qualifier - but he will know he is effectively in an impregnable position after this win against a very average Scotland side.

Southgate's biggest supporters would be hard-pressed to suggest this performance hinted at a golden future for England, but it is surely enough to earn the 46-year-old the chance to plot the way ahead to the next World Cup.

He was under a little pressure after a poor performance in the goalless draw in Slovenia, but this was just what he needed - in result terms at least - and it is now surely only a matter of time before his appointment is confirmed, irrespective of the result of Tuesday's friendly against Spain at Wembley.

It was almost impossible to find an optimistic Scot at Wembley before kick-off. Sadly, their worst fears were confirmed as the pressure mounts on Strachan.

The combative 59-year-old was subjected to heavy criticism after a draw at home to Lithuania and a 3-0 loss in Slovakia even before this latest reverse.

There was no lack of heart or effort from Scotland, but there is quite simply a lack of quality in their squad, reflected in the eight changes he made here, to no avail, in an attempt to find a spark.

Strachan may ask, with some justification, if anyone else could do better with what he has at his disposal, but whether the Scottish Football Association and Tartan Army agree is another matter.

England are now in a commanding position and should have no problems reaching the World Cup from this point, but they are still a work in progress.

This was a convincing victory margin, but the worry remains that the defence would be seriously troubled by quality opposition.

Scotland missed two chances to level before England extended their lead through Lallana, while some of their attempts to play out from the back looked like an alien concept to Southgate's players.

Lallana's header was expertly guided into the corner and put the game beyond doubt on the night. The Liverpool man played 42 passes in all, completing 88% as he was often at the heart of England's good attacking work.

However, the result, England's position in the group, Lallana's growing maturity and the clinical manner in which they took their opportunities were all positives.

What the managers said

England manager Gareth Southgate: "What I'm really pleased is that I was given the task of picking the job up in a very difficult situation for everybody and I feel like we've prepared the team really well. I've enjoyed that.

"The rest is out of my hands. I've loved it. I've really enjoyed the role. I've enjoyed the responsibility. I've enjoyed the challenge of every part of it."

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan: "That's what you get from world-class players, I'm afraid, when you're on the other side.

"I'm really down for the lads in a way, but proud of them in what they tried to do. I do feel for that group in there. That wasn't fair."

Brazil 3-0 Argentina Match Highlights (Neymar, Coutinho lead hosts)

Coutinho scores to put Brazil 1-0 up after 24 minutes

Neymar scored a milestone goal as Brazil piled the pressure on Argentina in World Cup qualifying with a 3-0 win on Thursday.

The Barcelona star netted his 50th international goal, to go with efforts from Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho, in the comfortable win.

The result heaps the pressure on Argentina, whose winless run in qualifying extended to four matches.

Edgardo Bauza's men rarely threatened despite the return of Lionel Messi, who was well contained by Tite's Brazil.

It means under Tite, Brazil – who are top of CONMEBOL qualifying – have won five out of five.

Match Highlight

Coutinho struck with a stunner and Neymar scored just before the break to have Brazil in control, with Paulinho putting the Superclasico to bed just prior to the hour-mark.

To be Lionel Messi... The Argentina man reacts to seeing his side go 3-0 down

They returned to Belo Horizonte for the first time since their embarrassing 7-1 loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-final and Tite started attacking stars Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Coutinho.

Messi made his Argentina return, while Sergio Aguero was left on the bench with Enzo Perez preferred in the XI.

Both teams started cautiously and it made for a scrappy start at the Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto.

Coutinho, Neymar and Gabriel Jesus... they've certainly got Argentina's number

Renato Augusto fired well over from 25 yards in the 22nd minute before Lucas Biglia forced a decent save out of Alisson.

Coutinho brought the game to life with the opener.

The Liverpool star cut in from the left before firing a powerful 20-yard effort past a helpless Sergio Romero in the 25th minute.

Neymar almost doubled Brazil's lead seven minutes before the break.

After beating several markers down the right, he opted to shoot from a tight angle – but his effort hit the outside of the post.

The visitors looked otherwise comfortable without creating clear-cut chances, but Brazil would take a 2-0 lead into the break thanks to Neymar.

Neymar's beautiful finish which put Brazil 2-0 up in Belo Horizonte

Jesus played a superb pass to put Neymar through and the forward made no mistake in a one-on-one with Romero, netting his 50th international goal.

While Paulinho had an effort cleared off the line by Pablo Zabaleta early in the second half, the midfielder would make it 3-0.

Former Tottenham midfielder places his shot past Romero who was left stood still

A Marcelo cross went uncleared, allowing Augusto to square from the right for Paulinho to strike.

Brazil had chances to add to their three-goal lead as they cruised to a comfortable win ahead of a trip to Peru, while Argentina desperately need a win when they host Colombia on Tuesday.

Colombia 0-0 Chile Match Highlights (Falcao returns but fails to become nations all-time top goalscorer)

Radamel Falcao's return from the international wilderness failed to spark Colombia into life as they were held to a 0-0 draw in their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier with Chile.

Falcao had not featured for Colombia in 13 months prior to Thursday's clash in Barranquilla, but his second-half introduction could not inspire the hosts to victory. 

Opportunities were at a premium for the Monaco striker as Colombia failed to significantly strengthen their position in the top four of the qualifying group - James Rodriguez and substitute Luis Muriel wasting late half-chances.

Chile captain Claudio Bravo kept his side in the game in the opening 45 minutes with good saves to deny Oscar Murillo and debutant Miguel Borja.

Match Highlights

Bravo's day ended in disappointment, though, as he left the field injured just after hour - giving Chile and Manchester City plenty to worry about.

Chile will hope for good news regarding his fitness - and for Arturo Vidal, who also came off with a knock - ahead of their next qualifier with Uruguay on Tuesday, while Colombia meet Argentina in San Juan.

A tight opening saw the visitors enjoy the better of proceedings, while 23-year-old Borja caused problems for the Chile defence with his blistering pace.

With no Alexis Sanchez, Chile looked to Bayern Munich midfielder Vidal for inspiration and he very nearly delivered after 17 minutes with a controlled volley that flew just wide of David Ospina's goal.

A needless foul by Charles Aranguiz on Edwin Cardona with nine minutes of the half to play nearly brought the opening goal, but Oscar Murillo headed straight at Bravo from Rodriguez's delivery.

Eduardo Vargas - starting in place of the absent Sanchez - worked Ospina with a volley from 20 yards just before the break, but it failed to stretch the Arsenal goalkeeper.

Bravo had to be much more alert in stoppage time as Abel Aguilar flicked on another Rodriguez free-kick, only for Borja to see his volley superbly saved by the Chile captain.

It was his last meaningful involvement, however, as a heavy collision with Santiago Arias brought an early end to his match.

As he denied the Colombian full-back with a perfectly executed sliding tackle, Bravo was caught by Arias and, despite trying to carry on, he was soon replaced by Johnny Herrera.

A raft of cynical challenges from both sides ensured the game struggled to build up any momentum, although with time running out things finally began to open up.

Falcao managed to wriggle free after 78 minutes following good work by fellow substitute Muriel only to see his effort well blocked, while Jose Fuenzalida dragged Chile's best opening wide moments later.

Muriel could have twice won it late on for the hosts, but he blazed both efforts over the crossbar to sum up a frustrating game for both sides.

Faroe Islands 0-6 Portugal Match Highlights (Andre Silva hat-trick seals victory for European champions)

The promising Porto striker stretched his tally in the World Cup qualifying phase to four goals to inspire Fernando Santos' charges to a comfortable win in Torsvollur

Portugal's long search for a goal-scoring centre-forward to aid Cristiano Ronaldo could be over after 20-year-old striker Andre Silva netted a first-half hat-trick in Monday's 6-0 World Cup qualifying hammering of the Faroe Islands.

Ronaldo has been relied upon as the country's main scoring threat since Pauleta retired in 2006, but Silva's encouraging emergence continued as he netted three times in just his fourth senior international appearance in Torshavn.

Free-scoring Portugal also hit Andorra for six on Friday, with Ronaldo scoring four and Silva claiming his first international goal, and the Faroe Islands were no better, keeping the visitors at bay for only 12 minutes.

Match Highlights

The first half belonged to Silva, as he scored two more by the 37th minute, before Ronaldo produced a fine strike of his own just after the hour. 

The Faroe Islands failed to offer much resistance and Portugal made the scoreline rather more embarrassing in stoppage time, as Joao Moutinho and Joao Cancelo compounded the hosts' misery, with Fernando Santos' men moving on to six points in Group B.

It did not take Portugal and Silva long to pick up where they left off against Andorra, as in-form Porto attacker Silva latched on to the ball after Sonni Nattestad sliced a clearance right into his path and coolly slotted past Gunnar Nielsen.

Silva was in the right place at the right time again in the 22nd minute.

Netherlands 0-1 France Match Highlights (Pogba strike sees off Dutch)

The Manchester United midfielder caught out Maarten Stekelenburg as he scored from distance in the first half, with Didier Deschamps's side holding on to claim all three points

A stunning long-range strike from Paul Pogba proved enough for France to secure a 1-0 victory over Netherlands in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam.

Criticised by national manager Didier Deschamps following his performance in Friday's 4-1 triumph over Bulgaria, Pogba responded in style with a right-footed rocket on the half-hour mark.

Pogba's well-hit drive, which proved too hot for goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg to handle, was the telling blow in a clash between the two heavyweight nations in Group A, handing the hosts a first World Cup qualifying defeat since 2001.

Match Highlights

Algeria 1-1 Cameroon Match Highlights (Cameroon's Moukandjo cancelled out Algeria's Soudani’s early opener.). #ALGCAM

Algeria's Hilal Soudani, who scored the opening goal in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Cameroon (DBM Staff)

Algeria were held to a 1-1 draw against Cameroon in their opening group game of the road to Russia after Moukandjo cancelled out Soudani’s early opener.

It was the perfect start for Algeria as they took the lead after just seven minutes. Riyad Mahrez’s corner was flicked on by Islam Slimani and Hilal Soudani was there at the far post to open the scoring.

Cameroon responded quickly and goalkeeper Rais M’bolhi tipped over Vincent Aboubakar’s dangerous dipping effort.

Match Highlights

The home side piled on the pressure though with Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez performing all sorts of tricks and causing all sorts of havoc down the right, but the Desert Foxes could not capitalise on their attacking play.

The Indomitable Lions levelled the scoring however in the 24th minute, with Benjamin Moukandjo slotting home through the legs of M’bolhi with a neat side-foot finish.

Mahrez came close again soon after as his left-footed curling effort was saved well by Cameroon goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa. Saphir Taider also went close with a direct free-kick.

It was a slow start to the second half but chances were few and far between. Slimani latched onto a loose ball but he should have done better, allowing Ondoa to save with his right hand.

Algeria suffered a period of pressure though and with just twelve minutes remaining, Aboubakar forced M’bolhi into a fine save from close range.

Adlene Guedioura also tested the goalkeeper with a marvellous effort from thirty yards out which would have bulged the back of the net if it was not for yet another fantastic Ondoa save.

Elsewhere in the group, Nigeria beat Zambia 2-1 meaning that they lead the proceedings at this early stage of World Cup qualifying.

Albania 0-2 Spain Match Highlights (Spain ease through Albania to top Group G) #WorldCupQualifer ⚽ #AlbaniavsSpain

Diego Costa scored his fourth goal for Spain

Chelsea striker Diego Costa and Manchester City's Nolito scored as Spain beat Albania to top Group G in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

Premier League players David de Gea, Nacho Monreal and David Silva all featured for Spain in the 2-0 win.

Match Highlights

In the same group, Italy needed a 91st-minute winner from Ciro Immobile to come from behind and beat Macedonia.

Lazio striker Immobile earlier equalised for Italy against the team ranked 146th in the world.

Elsewhere in Group G, Israel beat Liechtenstein 2-1 with Brighton striker Tomer Hemed scoring both goals for the hosts.

Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice, before Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic netted the winner, as Serbia beat Austria 3-2.

Serbia lead Group D ahead of the Republic of Ireland and Wales.

Croatia top Group I after Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic gave them a 1-0 away win against Finland.

Iceland are second following a 2-0 victory over Turkey and in the same group,Ukraine beat Kosovo 3-0.

Nigeria 2-1 Zambia Match Highlights (Iwobi, Iheanacho sink Zambia)

Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho got Nigeria off the mark in the 2018 world cup qualification race after strikes in the first half were enough to see off a tough Zambian side in what was an end-to-end encounter. Iwobi volleyed into the back of the net in the 32nd minute while Iheanach doubled the advantage in the 42nd minute.

Match Highlights

Iwobi volleyed into the back of the net in the 32nd minute while Iheanach doubled the advantage in the 42nd minute.

Although Collins Mbesuma of the Chipolopolo reduced the tally to one in the 71st minute, the Super Eagles held their own to earn three maximum points and start their world cup qualification campaign on a high note. The other teams in the group are Algeria and Cameroon, you can watch the match here.

Tunisia 2-0 Guinea Match Highlights (Tunisia Cruises with a comfortable win against Guinea ) #WCQ2018 #AFWCQ #WCQ

Tunisia were 2-0 winners over Guinea in Group A in Monastir later on Sunday.

Second half goals from Aymen Abdennour and Ahmed Akaichi gave the North Africans a victory which puts them second in Group A, behind the Democratic Republic of Congo who beat Libya 4-0 on Saturday.

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Also on Saturday, there were opening group wins for Ivory Coast and Senegal.

Only the five group winners will qualify for Russia 2018 from Africa.

England 2-0 Malta Match Highlights (Southgate makes winning start as England ease past Malta) #Wembley #ENGMAL #threelions

Dele Alli scored the second goal of his England career on Saturday, putting the hosts 2-0 up in the process

Gareth Southgate started his reign as England's interim manager with a comfortable win against minnows Malta at Wembley.

Southgate - in charge for four games following Sam Allardyce's departure after the single World Cup qualifying win in Slovakia - had an untroubled opening as England easily overcame a Malta side only focused on damage limitation.

Daniel Sturridge's clever header from Jordan Henderson's cross opened the scoring after 29 minutes and any notion this would be a contest against the side ranked 176th by Fifa ended when Dele Alli scrambled home a second before half-time.

Only Malta's heroic goalkeeper Andrew Hogg stood between England and further goals, making fine saves from Alli, Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott and debutant Jesse Lingard as the hosts made it maximum points from two qualifiers.

Match Highlights

Were Southgate's England brave?

Southgate's pre-match mantra was that he wanted his England side to be brave, casting aside the shackles that have restricted them before.

It was a message that was applicable to Southgate's approach in general rather than this specific fixture - it was competence not courage that was required to win with ease on Saturday.

There was a touch of conservatism about Southgate's own selection as he ignored the claims of Manchester United's precocious teenager Marcus Rashford to go with Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge and Rashford's Old Trafford team-mate Lingard in attack.

Sturridge was on target while Lingard was bright enough without dazzling, almost scoring with a first-half header and making a good run to set up Walcott in the second half, so that selection was justified.

England were progressive and positive enough to get the job done - but proof of bravery will come on nights other than this one.

Southgate's signpost to the future?

Southgate will be delighted with the win. It could have been more convincing in all respects but he will regard it as job done.

England were never going to be in danger against a side of such limited options and talents - so more might emerge on his game plan and approach away to Slovenia on Tuesday.

Scotland are the next visitors to Wembley on 11 November. That is shaping up as the game that could make or break Southgate's hopes of landing the England job on a full-time basis.

Portugal 6 - 0 Andorra Highlights (Ronaldo hits four goals for Portugal) World Cup Qualifier 2018

Ronaldo scores on his way to his 42nd career hat-trick

Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals for Portugal as they thrashed Andorra 6-0 in a 2018 World Cup qualifier, while Belgium and France also won.

Ronaldo scored twice - with a shot and header - in the opening four minutes to put the Euro 2016 champions in control.

Joao Cancelo added a third before Ronaldo completed the 42nd hat-trick of his career.

Ronaldo found the net again and Andre Silva also scored against an Andorran side that had two players sent off.

Portugal are now third in Group B having lost to leaders Switzerland, who beat Hungary 3-2 on Friday, in their opening game.

Ronaldo was injured in the final of Euro 2016 - and was playing his first international since that match, which Portugal won 1-0.

"We knew that the first goal would be really important against a team which puts 11 players behind the ball," said Ronaldo.

"I know I am important, as are all the other players. I have always given everything for the national team, I feel useful and I'm happy to be back after that injury in the European championship. There are eight games to go and we want to win all eight to go to the World Cup."

Match Highlights