There's just six remaining places up for grabs at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, all of which allocated to Europe. Those will be decided over the next 12 days in Slovakia, with eight teams of youngsters battling for a spot at UAE 2013.
Holders Atletico Madrid were toppled 2-0 by Rubin Kazan and Zenit St Petersburg beat Liverpool by the same margin, while two stunning Gareth Bale goals edged Tottenham past Lyon as the UEFA Europa League knockout stage began.
Liverpool central defender Martin Skrtel has been named Slovakian player of the year for the fourth time, while Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has received the Czech Republic award for the sixth time.
Goals from Robin van Persie and Nemanja Vidic helped Manchester United to a 2-1 win over Liverpool. Daniel Sturridge scored his first Premier League goal for his new club but it proved to be a consolation.
As is tradition at FIFA.com, Sunday is when we look ahead to a week of birthdays across Planet Football, this week including five veterans of the FIFA World Cup™ with a combined total of eight appearances between them.
Reigning champions Manchester City had to equalise twice to secure a 2-2 draw at Anfield against Liverpool, who had put themselves in front through Martin Skrtel and then Luis Suarez.
