Portugal, Sweden clash tops the bill

One of football’s superstars will miss out on the World Cup next year after Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal side were drawn against Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden in the European play-offs for next year’s finals.

Portugal versus Sweden is the pick of the four play-offs, which will be played over two legs, while unseeded France will face a tough battle against Ukraine, whom England failed to beat in two qualifying matches.

The presence of stars such as Real Madrid’s Ronaldo and Manchester United’s Nani means Portugal will go into the play-offs as favourites but they struggled in what had looked a straightforward qualifying group, finishing runners-up to Russia.