Down to third place in Group D, but not yet out of contention for a ticket to the World Cup finals in Russia, Ireland’s hopes almost certainly rest on winning both of their remaining qualifiers, against Moldova in Dublin and Wales in Cardiff next month.

France steamrollered Holland 4-0 with the help of goals from Thomas Lemar and Kylian Mbappe as they edged closer to qualification for next summer's World Cup finals in Russia.

Video replays took centre stage as Spain beat France 2-0 in a friendly at the Stade de France.

European champions Portugal were brought crashing back to earth in their opening World Cup qualifier last night after suffering a deserved 2-0 defeat to Switzerland.

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has revealed he plans to experiment in the March friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia in the build-up to the Euro 2016 finals.

It was one of the biggest speedbumps on the road to France, but Jon Walters insists that even after the 1-0 defeat to Scotland at Celtic Park 13 months ago he never stopped believing Ireland could qualify for Euro 2016.

So, Ireland save the best until last.

Ireland’s play-off opponents Bosnia-Herzegovina in numbers.

Robin van Persie endured a miserable night scoring an own goal as Holland failed to qualify for the European Championships following a 3-2 defeat to the Czech Republic last night.

Wales are poised to end their 58-year wait to play at a major tournament after Gareth Bale’s late winner on a balmy night in Nicosia.

Wales manager Chris Coleman believes Gareth Bale embodies the spirit of a side still unbeaten in Euro 2016 qualifying after the Real Madrid star’s injury-time goal-line clearance in Brussels.

Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale is battling for fitness ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League match at Liverpool after the club announced he is suffering from a buttock muscle injury.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has calmed worries about his fitness.

Gareth Bale spared Wales blushes when his stunning free-kick late helped his side overcame tiny Andorra in their Euro 2016 Group B qualification opener.

Nigeria 2 Argentina 3

Nigeria 2 Argentina 3

Bosnia-Herzegovina 3 Iran 1

You can actually see when it cracks. Oh God. His little face. This is awful.

Roy Hodgson is still putting his £10 on England to win the World Cup, but Football Association chairman Greg Dyke clearly thinks the team have no chance of getting out of their “group of death”.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is set to be sidelined for up to two months with a hamstring injury he sustained during Sunday’s match with Real Betis.

Russia secured their place at next summer’s World Cup finals by the narrowest of margins after conceding a last-minute equaliser in their qualifier against Azerbaijan.

In Iceland, they’re suddenly attempting to play down expectations.

Mario Balotelli fired Italy to next year’s World Cup finals as the Azzurri came from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Turin last night.

Robin van Persie struck an injury-time penalty as The Netherlands maintained their unbeaten record in World Cup qualifying with a last-gasp draw in Estonia tonight.

Joe Ledley will miss Wales’ opening World Cup qualifiers with Belgium and Serbia through injury, but there is a place for West Ham defender James Collins.

And on the last day the sun shone and the Irish baked.

For a brief moment, Stephen Ward feared his European Championship ambitions had been scuppered in Budapest.

That old cliché about professional footballers living in a bubble was never more apposite than in Hungary this last few days.

Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Kelly is hoping Kevin Foley’s Euro 2012 heartache can help galvanise his team-mates for the tournament.

A ppropriately enough fora game which took place onthe eve of the flight to Italy and onwards via Hungary to the Euros, this farewell friendly was all about Ireland’s winged wonders, as James McClean in the first half and Aiden McGeady in the second, reached for the sky.

Robbie Keane has told his Republic of Ireland team-mates to relax as they prepare to launch themselves into Euro 2012 battle.

The Republic of Ireland's players fly out to Italy today for a pre-Euro 2012 training camp.

Shane Long believes his winning goal in the friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina could be important in the long run as Ireland head to their Euro 2012 training camp.

Shane Long ensured Ireland will head off to the Euro 2012 championships on the back of a win with the only goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina in today's friendly at the Aviva Stadium.

Trying to find the hidden messages behind today’s clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane has said he is fit for their Euro 2012 warm-up match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday.

Republic of Ireland keeper Shay Given will travel to London tomorrow to consult a specialist over his knee injury.

The Republic of Ireland have moved up one to 19th in the latest FIFA rankings following last week’s draw with the Czech Republic.