Italy 0 Uruguay 1

Italy 0 Uruguay 1

World Cup 2014 kicks off in nine days so Ger McCarthy looks at how some of the contenders and outsiders are shaping up ahead of their final friendlies before boarding the plane to Brazil.

Spain will face Italy in the Confederations Cup semi-final after a 3-0 win over Nigeria last night saw the world and European champions finish top of Group B.

Manchester United stumbled into a Europa League last-16 meeting with Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford last night after coming perilously close to being knocked out by Ajax.

Manchester United 1 Ajax 2 (Manchester United win 3-2 on aggregate)

REAL MADRID joined Barcelona in guaranteeing their qualification for the Champions League knockout stages as two Cristiano Ronaldo goals gave Jose Mourinho’s men a 2-0 victory at Lyon last night.

France skipper Patrice Evra has slammed reports of a rift in the camp as “bull” amid rumours team-mate William Gallas is furious he was overlooked for the captaincy.

France winger Florent Malouda admits he found it "frustrating" to be kept on the bench until the last 15 minutes of last night's World Cup stalemate with Uruguay.

World Cup Group A

France 0 Uruguay 0

Uruguay 1 Costa Rica 1 (Uruguay win 2-1 on aggregate)