Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari was less than impressed with taking only a point against Mexico as his side played out a frustrating goalless draw in Tuesday night’s World Cup Group A fixture at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza.

For almost 50 years BBC’s Grandstand show defined Saturday afternoons in the UK and it came to do something similar here in Ireland for many of us once the signal for the British channels began to be picked up beyond the east coast.

Ashley Cole is set to become the latest member of England’s 100-club next week - but there is likely to be more interest in Roy Hodgson’s midfield department when he names his squad to face Brazil tomorrow.

BEFORE the end of October, Chelsea were considered Premier League champions-elect, such was their serene procession ahead of their struggling rivals.

STOKE’S Salif Diao claims Chelsea striker Didier Drogba’s tendency to frequently go to ground is “part of the entertainment” of football.

Alex Ferguson feels Manchester United’s results at Christmas will hold the key to their chances of landing a Premier League title hat-trick.

CHELSEA opened their pre-season tour of Asia and Russia with a comfortable 4-0 win over Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical yesterday.

THE search for the next England manager will intensify next week with Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick set to move on to the next stage of finding Steve McClaren’s successor.

DAVID DEIN insists it would be “folly” for the Football Association to ignore the claims of Gerard Houllier to be the next England manager.

Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari denied he punched Serbia’s Ivica Dragutinovic as the European Championship qualifier between the two sides in Lisbon ended in controversy.

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY insists reports of a major rift with Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo are inaccurate.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has welcomed the appointment of Steve McClaren as new England head coach, saying it was right for the Football Association to “return to their origins”.

THE search for the next England manager is nearing its climax with Martin O’Neill and Steve McClaren apparently neck-and-neck in the race to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson.

A FIRST-EVER goal for his country by Newcastle United defender Andy O’Brien was enough to gain the Republic of Ireland another prized scalp, as European Championship finalists Portugal were beaten 1-0 in front of a crowd of just over 44,000 at Lansdowne Road.

It is no wonder Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr yesterday hailed Damien Duff as “immense” and “a special talent” as the Chelsea winger produced a mesmeric performance to put Portugal in the shade.

Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr has been forced into a heart-to-heart with Clinton Morrison following the striker’s shock demotion by Birmingham boss Steve Bruce.

Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari believes a physical Republic of Ireland pose the perfect challenge if his team are to reach the World Cup finals.

Luis Figo has insisted he will take his time before deciding whether to retire from international football.

After Portugal’s victory in the semi-finals the common consensus among Lisbon folk was that the city had not seen such a frenzied outpouring of celebration for 30 years.

All today's news from Portugal…

Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari has laughed off claims that Wayne Rooney could be the new Pele.

Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari is likely to have to make one enforced change to his starting line-up to face England tomorrow at the Estadio da Luz.

Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari paid tribute to the “spirit of a nation” which he believes helped inspire his side to the historic victory over Spain.

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON admitted he would be prepared to play a half-fit David Beckham and Michael Owen in this summer’s Euro 2004 finals as he confronted the latest injury crisis ahead of a friendly.

Portugal superstar Luis Figo has given the Ireland/Scotland bid to host the Euro 2008 finals his backing.

Arsenal have invited Brazil’s World Cup-winning coach Luis Felipe Scolari to visit their state-of-the-art training headquarters in Hertfordshire where he is likely to take part in a cultural exchange of football ideas with the Gunners’ staff.

Luis Felipe Scolari said he was never really concerned about Ronaldo's thigh injury during the game against Turkey.

THERE was a moment in this World Cup when anyone whose heart was not made of stone must have jumped for joy and admiration of a deed, so intrinsically good and elevating, that it was impossible to remain dispassionate.

Defiant Turkey coach Senol Gunes complained there was ‘‘a great injustice’’ about Brazil’s 2-1 win in Ulsan.

Brazil’s hopes of reaching next summer’s World Cup finals suffered a huge blow with a 2-1 defeat to arch-rivals Argentina in Buenos Aires.