Rep of Ireland 1 Denmark 5

The moments that mattered at the Aviva last night.

Denmark’s players — including Christian Eriksen — were all in agreement that class told in the end as Ireland’s World Cup ambitions came to a crashing halt in the most humiliating circumstances.

Right, here we go. Time to give the checklist a final once-over.

James McClean cried the tears of a nation, crumbling in front of the cameras just as his Republic of Ireland colleagues had collapsed on a night of abject misery at the Aviva Stadium.

Sometimes a weather forecast actually turns out to be correct. And sometimes a preview of a game of football really does predict what will eventually happen. 

If they beat us to go to the World Cup, we’ll cry for six months, writes Enda McEvoy

It was the greatest night for at least five years, the night that marked a turning point for the Danish national team.

If I come away from the studios tonight having enjoyed the game in Copenhagen, I will be surprised if our last match in Cardiff has proved to be the template — although a repeat of the same result would certainly be very welcome.

The Republic of Ireland squad launch their latest bid for play-off glory on Saturday evening when they face Denmark in Copenhagen with a place at next summer’s World Cup finals at stake.

Former Ireland boss Brian Kerr reckons Ireland’s play-off against Denmark is too close to call but hopes Martin O’Neill’s lucky streak can affect Christian Eriksen’s availability.

John Fallon breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of Ireland’s potential opponents...

An understrength Arsenal side survived a late fightback from BATE Borisov to secure a 4-2 victory in Belarus.

The bookmaker admits it was quite a coup, writes Conall Ó Fátharta.

Celtic 0 Rosenborg 0: Celtic’s bid to reach the Champions League group stages stuttered with a goalless draw against Rosenborg in the first leg of their third-round qualifier at Parkhead.

Arsenal players past and present have backed Arsene Wenger amid mounting pressure following the humiliating 10-2 aggregate Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich and reports of disharmony in the club.

Arsene Wenger admits he was surprised to see Nicklas Bendtner sign for Nottingham Forest and says the former Arsenal striker has a point to prove if he faces the Gunners in the EFL Cup tonight (7.45pm).

Barcelona 3 Arsenal 1 (Barcelona win 5-1 on aggregate): Arsenal were hoping for a miracle last night but it failed to materialise as Barcelona powered to the Champions League quarter-finals, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger conceding the Catalans “have two or three players who transfer normal life into art”.

Danskjavlar is an affectionate Swedish expression that can best be translated as ‘Bloody Danes’. It was used quite a lot after last month’s qualifying draw pitted Sweden against Denmark in the Euro 2016 play-off, with the first leg tonight in Stockholm.

Louis van Gaal has cast doubt on the idea that he will walk away from Manchester United in 2017, but admits delaying his retirement would be hard on his wife.

Wolfsburg 0 Everton 2

Faroe Islands recorded a shock victory over Greece in Athens to leave Claudio Ranieri’s side slumped at the bottom of Euro 2016 qualifying Group F.

Everton 4 Wolfsburg 1

After the transfer window drew to a close on Monday night, we look at some of the best deals done this summer.

Well, that's one way to take your mind off being beaten 6-0 by Chelsea.

Arsenal will discipline striker Nicklas Bendtner after an alleged drunken incident in Copenhagen, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

A groundbreaking week, in many ways, as we have Joey Barton to thank for defining, at long last, the morality of sport.

Arsenal will discipline striker Nicklas Bendtner following an alleged drunken incident in Copenhagen, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The daggers which seem to permanently hover just behind Arsene Wenger’s back, and which inched even closer following the disrespectful and disgraceful comments made by Jose Mourinho, should now be sheathed; Arsenal’s season is very much alive.

FA CUP FOURTH ROUND:

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels Theo Walcott should be “very positive” of making a full recovery from his serious knee injury following surgery.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Arsenal expect to have forward Olivier Giroud back from an ankle problem and illness for Monday night’s Barclays Premier League trip to Aston Villa.

Theo Walcott has been backed to return “even stronger” from the heartbreak of missing out on the World Cup by England manager Roy Hodgson.

Arsene Wenger may be forced to re-evaluate Arsenal's January transfer plans following the loss of Theo Walcott to a knee injury which will rule the England forward out for the rest of the season and shatter his World Cup dream.

Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004 suffered a massive blow last night after Theo Walcott was ruled out for rest of the season and the World Cup due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee.

Arsenal and England have been rocked by the news that forward Theo Walcott will miss the rest of the season and the World Cup due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee.

Arsenal expect to discover on Tuesday the full extent of Theo Walcott’s knee problem, but the England forward will not face any disciplinary action from the Football Association for his ’2-0’ gesture towards Tottenham fans

Teenager Serge Gnabry is confident he can have an impact for Arsenal this season.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger accepts the club will have to buy a new striker in the January transfer window if Nicklas Bendtner’s ankle injury proves a long-term problem.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned he will not accept another early FA Cup exit this season when north-London rivals Tottenham come to the Emirates Stadium this evening.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is doubtful for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Tottenham following illness and an ankle problem.

Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal not to bow to the pressure of leading the race for the Barclays Premier League title.

Arsenal 2 Cardiff City 0