Northern Ireland celebrated a World Cup qualifying play-off place despite a 1-0 defeat in Norway as Scotland's bid ended in heartache.

Record-breaking Poland striker Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Armenia on his way to becoming his country's all-time leading scorer.

When Martin O’Neill named three uncapped strikers in his latest squad at a press conference in Dublin on Tuesday, almost lost in the discussion about Ireland’s need to locate a cutting edge was the manager’s low key reference to Kevin Doyle “suffering a bit from concussion”.

Northern Ireland’s elder statesmen are driven by a desire to feature at a World Cup finals before they call it a day, defender Chris Brunt has said.

Northern Ireland have beaten Czech Republic 2-0 in their World Cup qualifying Group C match at Windsor Park.

Jonny Evans is anticipating no issues when he returns to West Brom next week following a transfer deadline day which left his admirers frustrated.

Northern Ireland are on the brink of securing second place in their World Cup qualifying group after beating San Marino 3-0 to record their fourth successive victory.

Michael O'Neill expects his Northern Ireland players to treat Friday's World Cup qualifier with San Marino as if they were playing Germany.

West Brom have rejected a second bid from Leicester for defender Jonny Evans.

Celtic’s potential powder-keg Champions League qualifier with Northern Irish champions Linfield in Belfast now looks set to take place on July 14.

Celtic's potential powder-keg Champions League qualifier with Linfield in Belfast has now been pencilled in for July 14, it is understood.

Australia 2

Joachim Low's much-changed Germany opened their Confederations Cup campaign with a 3-2 victory over Australia in Sochi.

Here's what you need to know.

Germany coach Joachim Low felt the 7-0 thrashing of minnows San Marino was a good test for his young squad before they head off to the Confederations Cup in Russia.

As World Cup qualification reaches the business end we look at how things stand in every group. 

Substitute Kyle Lafferty scored twice as Northern Ireland recorded a 4-0 victory over minnows San Marino in the first international to be staged at the refurbished Windsor Park.

Ireland are in final four action in the FIBA European Championships for Small Countries this evening with the men’s side facing Armenia and the women’s side taking on Andorra.

Ireland were made to work hard but eventually saw off San Marino 79-55 to finish top of Pool A in the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in Chisinau.

Ireland’s Men’s and Women’s Senior Basketball teams secured semi-final berths at the FIBA European Championships for Small Countries yesterday with impressive victories on day two.

Wayne Rooney equalled Bobby Charlton’s all-time scoring record as England secured progress to the European Championships, but it is Roy Hodgson’s bemusing decision to take off his captain that will dominate the conversation.

If this stellar weekend for Irish sport was Live Aid, then Gibraltar versus Ireland would be Status Quo — bottom of the bill, and everyone knows what to expect.

Roy Hodgson has told his England squad they must step up their performances if they want to become serious contenders for Euro 2016.

Any of you mathematicians out there fancy decoding this little baby? (Deep breath): 0000011003210002002054031002651206140004.

Jack Wilshere will miss key games for Arsenal and England after being ruled out for “a few weeks” with an ankle injury, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has said.

Football, penguins, lego and more.

Lukasz Fabianski will play his first competitive international in almost six years tomorrow after Poland manager Adam Nawalka confirmed the Swansea City goalkeeper gets the nod ahead of Artur Boruc and Wojciech Szczesny for the Euro 2016 qualifier against Ireland.

Swansea manager Garry Monk is adamant he has no plans to sell England midfielder Jonjo Shelvey in January.

Wayne Rooney will tell younger members of the England squad they must not be intimidated by the hostile atmosphere at Celtic Park against Scotland tomorrow.

Rio Ferdinand has come out in defence of Raheem Sterling after the Liverpool youngster only started on the bench for England's Euro 2016 qualifier with Estonia.

On the face of it, it didn’t seem that much of an occasion, just a warm-up for the real action. Sure, it may have been Gibraltar’s ever international first match as a recognised nation, but the November 2013 friendly in the Algarve was against an experimental Slovakia side, and ended 0-0. Bigger days surely lay ahead.

"We’re not good enough to be complacent." That was the line of Martin O’Neill’s which rang loudest as he gave his final thoughts to the media ahead of this afternoon’s European Championship qualifier.

Wayne Rooney edged one goal closer to Bobby Charlton’s record as England coasted past the clothes salesman, the factory worker and the bar owner from San Marino with a simple if not spectacular 5-0 win at Wembley.

Wayne Rooney edged one goal closer to Sir Bobby Charlton’s record as England coasted past the clothes salesman, the factory worker and the bar owner from San Marino with a simple if not spectacular 5-0 win at Wembley.

Wayne Rooney’s short time playing alongside Roy Keane has had a significant influence on the way he captains England and Manchester United.

Adam Lallana is determined to "step up" and start scoring for England on the back of his maiden Liverpool strike.

Gareth Southgate has revealed England have not given up hope of tempting Aston Villa starlet Jack Grealish away from the Republic of Ireland.

Radamel Falcao scored his first goal in English football and then spelled out his desire to remain at Manchester United beyond the end of the season.