SOCCER

Croatia beat Iceland on goals from Mario Mandzukic and Darijo Srna to advance to the World Cup in Brazil.

Cristiano Ronaldo fired a stunning hat-trick as Portugal beat Sweden 3-2 in the second leg of their World Cup playoff in Solna, to win 4-2 on aggregate.

France leads Ukraine 2-0 after the first half of their World Cup qualifier.

Mario Mandzukic's first half goal gave Croatia a 1-0 first-half lead over Iceland.

Mexico are refusing to get complacent despite taking a 5-1 lead into the second leg of their World Cup playoff with New Zealand.

The United States will take on Austria in international friendly action in Vienna’s Ernst-Happel-Stadion on Tuesday.

Steven Gerrard remains confident about England’s progression heading into Tuesday’s friendly against Germany at Wembley.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will lead his Sweden side into the second leg of their World Cup playoff with Portugal, needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit.

France need to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Ukraine in the second leg of their World Cup playoff, at the Stade de France on Tuesday.

The United States will be looking to cap a record-breaking year and build World-Cup momentum in Tuesday’s friendly in Austria.

Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their World Cup playoff with Sweden and Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Tuesday.

England face a tough task to bounce back from defeat to Chile when Germany visit Wembley in friendly action on Tuesday.

Sebastian Vettel edged out teammate Mark Webber to take pole position at the United States Grand Prix, as Red Bull again dominated.

Rather than busting their always tight budget, first-place Arsenal can explore several possible options to add some depth to their attack.

The degree to which Argentina miss Lionel Messi was just one of the things learned from Argentina’s friendly with Ecuador in New Jersey.

Ukraine and Greece took two-goal advantages from the first legs of their World Cup playoffs against France and Romania, respectively.

The match started as a slow, plodding affair with neither side really opening up the type of play worthy of the talent on the field, but closed with some rough fouls and four yellow cards issued in the final 36 minutes of play.

A late headed goal from Cristiano Ronaldo gave Portugal a narrow advantage from the first leg of their World Cup playoff with Sweden.

Sergio Aguero is reportedly ecstatic about first-place Barcelona, the only La Liga team without a loss so far this season.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will again be unable to call upon his preferred striker partnership in Friday’s friendly against Germany.

The stage is set for Cristiano Ronaldo’s battle with Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Portugal face Sweden in the first leg of their World Cup playoff.

Jurgen Klinsmann has laid down a challenge to his United States players ahead of Friday’s friendly with Scotland at Hampden Park.

England are set to name an experimental lineup in Friday’s friendly against Chile, but need to be wary of the South American visitors.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are only two of the players who will be key to the outcome of Portugal’s World Cup playoff with Sweden.

Brendan Rodgers side are two points back of rival Arsenal with hopes of a return to UCL and a shot at an English title for the first time in nearly a quarter century.

Mexico coach Miguel Herrera is intent on giving El Tri fans another performance to savor in the second leg of their World Cup playoff with New Zealand.

Out-of-favor Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen has refused to be drawn on whether he intends to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea midfielder Ramires has said that he is not interested in reports of interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Mexico beat New Zealand 5-1 in the first leg of their World Cup intercontinental playoff at Estadio Azteca.