Aleksandar Kolarov wrecked the Republic of Ireland's World Cup dream as 10-man Serbia eased themselves to the brink of qualification on a controversial night in Dublin.

Ireland find themselves in a strange position going into tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Serbia at the Aviva.

Atletico Madrid 2 Real Madrid 1 (Real Madrid win 4-2 on agg): Karim Benzema’s brilliance booked Real Madrid a place back in the Uefa Champions League final as the holders lost 2-1 to city rivals Atletico 2-1 at the Vicente Calderon, but comfortably progressed on aggregate.

All sides of the Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos’ unique personality are on show as he leads his team towards an increasingly likely La Liga and Champions League double.

Napoli 1 - Real Madrid 3: Real Madrid weathered an early storm before easing through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Napoli which gave them a 6-2 win on aggregate.

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri wants ‘Dragon Slayer’ Islam Slimani to live up to his billing when the Foxes host Porto in the Champions League tonight.

One wouldn’t want to meet Antonio Conte in a dark alley on a dark night, writes John Leicester.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

If it’s true that all games are won and lost long before they begin then Ireland were a beaten docket by the time Cuneyt Cakir blew the first whistle at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on Saturday.

Shane Long left Bordeaux fuming after being denied a penalty which might have changed the course of the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 campaign.

Bayern Munich 2 Atletico Madrid 1

Chelsea 2 Porto 0: Jose Mourinho’s position will not be secure until Chelsea finally breathe some life into their disastrous Premier League campaign, but the manager can draw satisfaction that in Europe, at least, it is business as usual for his side.

Fate has a way of setting up enticing Champions League encounters and Chelsea’s showdown against Porto tomorrow is up there with the best, writes David Shonfield.

After the euphoria of the defeat of Germany, Irish football was brought crashing back down to the earth in Warsaw, as Poland booked their place at the Euro 2016 finals leaving Martin O’Neill’s men to try to seek entry to France through the back door of the play-offs, the draw for which will take place on Sunday.

Kyle Lafferty struck a stoppage-time equaliser as 10-man Northern Ireland salvaged a point against Hungary to keep their Euro 2016 dreams alive.

Luis Suarez made it a perfect ending to Barcelona’s astonishing season with the Champions League final winner against Juventus.

Euro 2016 Group E Qualifier

Argentina 0 Netherlands 0. (AET) (Argentina win 4-2 on penalties)

Algeria 1 Russia 1

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson escaped with a slap on the wrist from UEFA after his no-show at a post-match press conference following the Champions League exit to Real Madrid.

FA Cup 6th Round: Man United v Chelsea

Manchester United 1 Real Madrid 2 — further proof that it’s true what they say about great players: you can keep them quiet for nearly all 90 minutes but, inevitably, they’ll end up having the last word.

As I sat on my sofa on Tuesday evening for the much hyped and eagerly anticipated second leg between Manchester United and Real Madrid, I spotted a very familiar face as Nemanja Vidic and Sergio Ramos met in the centre circle for the traditional coin toss — it was none other than my good friend, Cuneyt Cakir, the referee who sent me off in the final few minutes of our match against Italy in Poznan at Euro 2012.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson claims it is “hard to keep your faith” in football after decisions like Nani’s red card on Tuesday – but referee Cuneyt Cakir still insists he made the right call.

Alex Ferguson insists Wayne Rooney will still be at Manchester United next season.

Swansea manager and former Real Madrid great Michael Laudrup believes referee Cuneyt Cakir made “a very poor decision” when he sent off Nani during Manchester United’s Champions League exit.

Rio Ferdinand will not face disciplinary action from UEFA for sarcastically applauding Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

Rio Ferdinand is likely to find out today whether he will face disciplinary action for sarcastically applauding Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

Uefa have opened disciplinary proceedings against Manchester United over Nani’s red card and the non-fulfilment of post-match media obligations at Tuesday night’s Champions League match with Real Madrid, the European governing body have confirmed.

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Manchester United over Nani’s red card and the non-fulfilment of post-match media obligations at last night’s Champions League match with Real Madrid, the European governing body has confirmed.

Manchester United are still waiting to discover whether they will face UEFA sanctions following their Champions League exit against Real Madrid.

The referee who controversially sent off Manchester United winger Nani during last night’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid can point to the laws of the game as justification for his decision.

It's not actually a joke.

Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir caused controversy last night when he sent off Manchester United winger Nani in the Champions League tie against Real Madrid.

Former Manchester United full-back Gary Neville admitted last night’s sending-off of Nani left Old Trafford more stunned than he has ever seen it.

Former Man U captain-turned pundit Roy Keane claimed Nani deserved his red card in the Champions League against Real Madrid last night.

If the world did stop to watch, then the world’s time was not wasted. This was a night of drama, high skill and no little controversy.

Man United 1 Real Madrid 2

Cristiano Ronaldo held his hands above his head almost in apology; in fact he looked almost as forlorn as when Denis Law scored against his beloved United back in 1974. But we always knew it was going to happen.

It’s not a sentiment normally afforded serial winners, but there’ll be a lot of sympathy for the Red Devils this morning.

Manchester United 1 Real Madrid 2 (agg 2-3)