THE SMALL margins? As Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk admitted his side could have been out of yesterday’s World Cup quarter final to Brazil after the first 15 minutes, his opposite number Dunga was out of work wondering where it all went wrong.

Brazil 3 Chile 0

LIKE watching Brazil? It was more like watching Barnsley on a bad day as the World Cup favourites laboured to a goalless draw with Portugal that sees them both through to the knockout stage.

BRAZIL began their quest for a sixth world crown with victory over North Korea at Ellis Park last night but it was far from a vintage display from Dunga’s men against hard-working opposition.

Brazil 2 North Korea 1

Ronaldinho has failed to make it into Brazil’s 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup.

Lyon 0 Bayern Munich 3 (Bayern win 4-0 on aggregate)

LYON against Bayern is a semi-final clash no one expected, and so far it has lived down to expectations.

LYON were grateful to goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for a dramatic late save as Les Gones reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history with victory over Ligue 1 rivals Bordeaux last night.

TWO GOALS from Lisandro earned Lyon a crucial advantage over Bordeaux in their domestic French battle to discover who will face Manchester United or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Brazil 2 Republic of Ireland 0

Lyon 1 Real Madrid 0

ROBINHO is set for a quick return to England, after the recently departed Manchester City striker was named in the Brazil squad for next month’s friendly against Ireland in London.

AC Milan playmaker Ronaldinho has not been included in the Brazil squad for next month’s friendly international against Republic of Ireland at Emirates Stadium.

LIONEL MESSI’S sensational free-kick secured a 2-1 victory for Barcelona at Dynamo Kiev as the European champions advanced to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Brazil 1 England 0

LIVERPOOL’S hearts were broken by a cruel last-minute equaliser that has all but ended their Champions League dreams for a traumatic season.

Lyon 1 Liverpool 1

Liverpool are able to call on defender Daniel Agger for tonight's crunch Champions League Group E clash in the Stade Gerland, the Dane having recovered sufficiently from a back problem to return for the Anfield club’s injury-hit side.

LYON are almost assured of playing in the group stage of this year’s Champions League after they recorded a thumping 5-1 win against Anderlecht in the first leg of their qualifying play-off last night.