Rio Ferdinand will not play for Manchester United again this year.

The England centre-back has been told he needs another six weeks of rest and physio work before his back will be strong enough for Premier League football.

Ferdinand, 31, had been playing with back problems since last season leading to a calf injury this term.

The hard luck of the Irish

It will come as scant consolation to Ireland, their backroom staff, their players and their massive support (which probably now includes the whole known world outside the borders of France), that maybe this latest travesty could be the death knell to all those who believe that 'honest' mistakes are part and parcel of the game.

Alberto Aquilani is in contention to make his long-awaited full Liverpool debut on Saturday as Rafael Benítez looks to the £20m summer signing to reinvigorate the club's season against Manchester City.

The Italy international has played only 21 minutes for Liverpool since arriving from Roma in August, as a substitute against Birmingham City and Arsenal, because of his recovery from ankle surgery plus illness.

Raul Meireles scored to give Portugal a win and earn them a spot at South Africa 2010.

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Slovenia managed a shock victory over Guus Hiddink's Russia to reach the World Cup Finals.

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A Thierry Henry handball cost Ireland a chance of a glorious win in Paris and France sneak into South Africa 2010.

0-1 Keane

1-1 Gallas

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A solitary goal from Dimitris Salpigidis was enough to see Greece through to South Africa 2010.

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A stunning strike from Antar Yahia earned Algeria a place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after a bad tempered encounter between the two north African nations.

Figthing erupts early on

Said goes close for Egypt

Yahia almost puts Algeria one up

Algeria go close again

Algerian keeper makes a great save

0-1 Yahia

Ghezzal goes close to making it two nil

Egypt almost equalize

Egypt thwarted again

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A stunning strike from Antar Yahia earned Algeria a place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after a bad tempered encounter between the two north African nations.

Figthing erupts early on

Said goes close for Egypt

Yahia almost puts Algeria one up

Algeria go close again

Algerian keeper makes a great save

0-1 Yahia

Ghezzal goes close to making it two nil

Egypt almost equalize

Egypt thwarted again

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Looking for a miracle.

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Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni is unlikely to make any changes for Wednesday's World Cup play-off second leg against France in Paris.

So reportedly this is how the kerfuffle following the first leg of the Play-Off between France and Ireland broke out at the final whistle. Keith Andrews was about to slump to the floor in the knowledge that overturning a one goal deficit back in France is a tough thing to do. Along comes Lassana Diarra and rather than come over to offer him a handshake he reportedly said the following.

Where will this all end?

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You just knew it, everyone in the stadium knew it, everyone watching from home knew it, everyone who has any interest in the game of football knew it, so why the hell are FIFA seemingly doing nothing about it?

A goal from Diego Lugano gives Uruguay the edge with a crucial away goal in this World Cup play-off.

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A goal from Bruno Alves was enough to give Portugal an advantage going into Wednesday's second leg in Bosnia.

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Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland side tried their hardest to come out of this first leg with something to show for their efforts but it was a hideously deflected shot from Nicolas Anelka that gave France the win at Croke Park.

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Greece were unable to break down a solid Ukraine side in this Play-Off first leg.

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A header from Aboutreika in the 97th minute secured Egypt a decider against Algeria in dramatic fashion.

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1-0 Zaki

1st Half Highlights

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Russia take a one goal lead into the second leg of this World Cup play-off with Everton midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov scoring two crucial goals.

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1st Half Highlights

1-0 Bilyaletdinov

2-0 Bilyaletdinov

2-1 Pecnik

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Cameroon made it through to the South Africa 2010 thanks to goals from Mallorca striker Pierre Webo and Inter Milan goal machine Samuel Eto'o.

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0-1 Webo

0-2 Eto'o

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Jubilation for the Super Eagles as they managed to overcome Kenya late on and watched as Tunisia slumped to a shocked defeat against Mozambique handing qualification to Nigeria.

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Tunisia's World Cup dreams were shattered by a late goal from Mozambique striker Dario.

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A solitary header from Plymouth Argyle striker Rory Fallon sealed qualification to South Africa 2010 against Bahrain in this World Cup play-off second leg.

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Let battle commence.

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Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has delayed finalising his team for Saturday's World Cup play-off first leg against France at Croke Park.

Algeria take on Egypt in what will be one hell of a bone shattering grudge match. The two countries do not get on and clearly the Egyptian support are keen on scaring their opposition into submission and hence throw large amounts of rocks at their team coach. Egypt have to beat the Group leaders by at least two goals to have any chance of making it to South Africa.

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Seriously we love this shirt and even though no one in the COS Towers office has any allegiance whatsoever with Germany we would gladly own this fine footballing garment (Adidas, I hope you see this and kindly send us a shirt in the post). We have no qualms about naming it the best shirt of this century and have duly done so.

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This is some serious girl on girl action and not in a good way. For some reason New Mexico defender Elizabeth Lambert decides to start an all out war on her opponents. Watch as the puts in some unsubtle moves that would make Julian Dicks wince! Thanks to The Spoiler for the heads up on this one.

Reds undone by last gasp equalizer.

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Now its not all doom and gloom and many will have you believe that we are sinking further into the abyss but that would be a harsh assessment of the tough 90 minute assignment that so nearly bore fruit.

A Lee McCulloch goal almost gave Rangers all three points but the Scottish champions conceded a last gasp equalizer.

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0-1 McCulloch

1-1 Onofras

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Belgian side Standard grabbed their first win of the competition with this victory over Olympiakos.

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1-0 Mbokani

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Sevilla and Stuttgart played out a draw in this Champions League encounter giving the Spaniards the vital point that secures their place in the knock out stages.

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1-0 Navas

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Italian side Fiorentina romped past Debrecen in this Group E encounter.

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1-0 Mutu

1-1 Rudolf

2-1 Dainelli

3-1 Montolivo

4-1 Marchionni

4-2 Coulibaly

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Inter Milan scored twice in the final five minutes to overcome Dynamo Kiev.

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1-0 Shevchenko

1-1 Milito

1-2 Sneijder

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Liverpool looked uninspired but still managed to eek out a point at Lyon but should have taken all three after a Ryan Babel bullet put them one up.

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1st Half Highlights

0-1 Babel

1-1 Lisandro

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