Northern Ireland 0 - Hungary 2 (International friendly, November 20, 2008) Sander Torghelle opened the scoring in the 57th minute when he found the target from close range following a pull-back from Szabolcs Husti. Zoltan Gera added a second in the 71st minute when he got on the end of a through ball before connecting with a well-struck shot.

France 0 - Uruguay 0 (International friendly, November 20, 2008) It was another disappointing night for Les Bleus, the highlight being the debut of Steve Savidan of Caen, a 30-year striker who only turned pro at 26.

Colombia 1 - Nigeria 0 (International friendly, November 20, 2008) A goal nine minutes from time from striker Radamel Falcao Garcia settled the match.

Germany 1 - England 2 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) (Extended highlights here.) England took the lead in Berlin thanks to horrible goalkeeping from Rene Adler, the keeper flapping at a Downing corner which Matthew Upson eventually turned over the line. Germany’s equaliser came after a nightmare mis-communication between John Terry and Scott Carson. Neither player dealt with a simple forward ball and Patrick Helmes nipped in to put the ball between the keeper’s legs. The Three Lions won the match with six minutes to go in a moment of rare quality, Downing delivered a perfect ball into the box and John Terry redeemed his earlier error with a textbook header into the far corner.

Scotland 0 - Argentina 1 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) Argentina put together a wonderful flowing attack to score in Scotland early doors, Tevez broke down the right, his pass to Jonas Gutierrez was laid off to Maxi Rodriguez, and the Atletico man slotted home in McGregor’s near post.

Brazil 6 - Portugal 2 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Brazil ran riot thanks to an inspired display from Luis Fabiano who overshadowed some other big names on the night. Danny put Portugal in front on four minutes, only for Luis Fabiano to equalise five minutes later thanks to great play from Robinho. Kaka set up Luis Fabiano for the second midway through the first half. Early in the second period, Maicon made it 3-1, deceiving Quim at the near post and then Luis Fabiano bagged his hat-trick minutes later. Simao pulled one back for Carlos Queiroz’s side but further goals from Elano (probably the best of the night) and Adriano sealed an impressive friendly win.

Spain 3 - Chile 0 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) After Albert Riera was brought down in the box, David Villa fired Spain in front against Chile. After the break the European Champions doubled their lead in fluid attacking fashion, Xavi spun free on halfway line and charged straight up the pitch. His pass fed in Fernando Torres on the right, who cut inside and curled a beauty into the far corner. Santi Cazorla sealed the win with a deflected shot four minutes from time.

Ireland 2 - Poland 3 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) It was a terrible start for the Irish, conceding a header from Mariusz Lewandowski after just three minutes. Poland began the second half in the same fashion as the first, an awful mix-up in the Irish defence allowed Roger Guerreiro a sight of goal, and the Brazilian fired a left footed strike past Given. The game exploded in the dying minutes. Stephen Hunt netted from the spot in the 88th minute, only for the Poles to score sixty seconds later with a cracker from Lewandowski. But at the death Keith Andrews pulled another goal back for the Irish with a stunner from outside the box.

Holland 3 - Sweden 1 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) Robin van Persie had the simple task of directing a header goalwards from Sneijder’s superb cross to put Holland ahead over Sweden. Van Persie slotted in his second of the game straight after the interval but Kim Kallstrom hit a wonder-strike a minute later to give the visitors a lifeline. Dirk Kuyt put the icing on the cake with the third Oranje goal in injury time.

Greece 1 - Italy 1 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) After a goalless first half, Theofanis Gekas put the hosts ahead, Luca Toni bringing the Azzurri level just four minutes later heading home De Rossi’s set play.

Ukraine 1 - Norway 0 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) Selesniov’s first half penalty was the difference between the teams, while John Arne Riise’s difficult season as he saw red at the start of the second half.

Austria 2 - Turkey 4 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) After falling behind to a header from Austria’s Andreas Holzl, Turkey came back to take a halftime lead with a strike from Aurelio and a volley from Tuncay. After the break a comedy of Austrian errors saw the ball fall into Tuncay’s path, and the Boro forward executed a super chip for the third. Austria rallied, Holzl firing a lovely strike into the top corner from Hoffer’s cushioned assist. But just as the hosts began to believe, Tuncay scored a sublime hat-trick goal after his initial shot rebounded off the bar.

Serbia 6 - Bulgaria 1 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) Milan Jovanovic also found the net with a close-range shot, only for Bulgaria to draw level with a fabulous free-kick from Blagoy Georgiev. Milan Jovanovic then netted his second from Savo Milosevic’s backheel pass. Milosevic, who had already missed two penalties, then netted in the 27th and 34th minutes from close range from similar crosses from Milos Krasic. Milijas made it 5-1 in the 56th and Danko Lazovic finished the scoring with a powerful header. Dimitar Berbatov was withdrawn after just half an hour of the match.

Switzerland 1 - Finland 0 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) Former Tottenham player Reto Ziegler earned the Swiss a late victory with an exquisite left footed strike from outside the box, on the angle.

Romania 2 - Georgia 1 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) Georgia striker Otar Martsvaladze gave his team the lead in the 12th minute. Romania finally managed to score when Marica headed past the Georgian keeper from a Razvan Cocis cross before Dorin Goian scored from close range in the 70th minute to give the host team the win. (Both Romanian goals can be seen here.)

Egypt 5 - Benin 1 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) Egypt raced to a 4-nil halftime lead to kill off the game in the opening 45. Rabbo converted a penalty, before highly-rated Emad Moteab scored from close range in the 27th and 41st minutes. Playmaker Mohamed Aboutreika scored a fabulous fourth for the Pharaohs just before the break before Aboutreika claimed his brace with a simple second. Omotoyossi netted a late consolation for Benin.

Morocco 3 - Zambia 0 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) Goals from Kharja, Sektioui and Baha sealed the win.

Montenegro 2 - Macedonia 1 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008) Dzudovic bundled home the opener, and a very soft penalty was scored by Jovetic. Macedonia rallied after the break but only pulled a goal back five minutes from time through Popov.

Azerbaijan 1 - Albania 1 (International Friendly, November 19, 2008)

***

Denmark 0 - France 1 (U21 International Friendly, November 19, 2008) Younousse Sankhare bagged the winner in the 70th minute, running onto a cross and finishing expertly.

Romania 1 - Bulgaria 1 (U21 International Friendly, November 19, 2008)

England 2 - Czech Republic 0 (U21 International Friendly, November 18, 2008) England took the lead with a straight-forward route one goal, a long hoof ran all the way through to Frazier Campbell and the forward coolly finished. After the break Aston Villa’s Craig Gardner struck a low free-kick from distance which found its way into the bottom corner. Jamie O’Hara was then presented the chance to make it 3-nil from the spot after Campbell had been barged over, but the Spurs man saw his spot-kick saved.

Scotland 1 - Northern Ireland 3 (U21 International Friendly, November 18, 2008) Jamie Murphy gave Scotland a third minute lead, but Northern Ireland’s Josh McQuoid nipped in after 9 minutes to bring the visitors level. The Irish then took the lead as Josh McQuoid bagged his brace of the game, latching on to another long ball and racing through for a well-taken second. (First half highlights here.)

Portugal 4 - Spain 1 (U21 International Friendly, November 18, 2008) A terrible mistake by the Spanish centre-half dollied a ball into the path of Rui Fonte who put Portugal ahead. Two minutes later Daniel Parejo pulled Spain level from the penalty spot. But back came the hosts, Orlando Sa heading in a near post corner to restore the home advantage before Sa struck again just before the break with his second header of the match. Orlando Sa put the game to bed in the 56th minute with his hat-trick goal with his third header of the game.

Germany 1 - Italy 0 (U21 International Friendly, November 18, 2008) Bayern Munich’s young sensation Toni Kroos gave Germany the lead over the Azzurri firing a stunning half-volley into the top corner from 25-yards out.

***

Algeria 1 - Mali 1 (International Friendly, November 18, 2008) Adama Coulibaly shot Mali ahead in Algeria after 12 minutes. In the 90th minute the hosts equaliser in bizarre circumstances, Abdeslam miscued a right wing cross and the ball hit the underside of the bar and post before going in.

Estonia 1 - Moldova 0 (International Friendly, November 18, 2008)

Estonia 1 - Latvia 1 (International friendly, November 12, 2008) Kink’s opener for Estonia was cancelled out by Grebis’ header from a free-kick.

Mexico 2 - Ecuador 1 (International friendly, November 12, 2008) Ecuador went ahead in the 8th minute as Ayovi’s cross was headed in from close range by Isaac Mina. Mexico equalised five minutes into the second half, Leobardo Lopez converting from a corner, and Vicente Matias Vuoso scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to complete the turnaround.

Japan 3 - Syria 1 (International friendly, November 13, 2008)

Palestine 1 - Jordan 1 (International friendly, October 26, 2008) Ahmed Kashkash fired Palestine into the lead on seven minutes, steering the ball inside the near post, so send the crowd wild on the historic occasion. Jordan equalised with a goal in the 48th minute when, with the Palestinian defence in disarray, Raed Nawatir had an easy task putting the ball away.

South Africa 2 - Ghana 1 (International friendly, October 15, 2008) Yaw Antwi gave the Black Stars a 39th minute lead but Benni McCarthy turned home an equaliser within a minute. And World Cup hosts recorded a morale-boosting third successive win when Bernard Parker headed home a 75th minute winner. (Both South African goals can be seen here.)

***

France 0 - Germany 1 (Agg. 1-2) (U21 Euro 2009 qualifiers, October 15, 2008)

Israel 1 - Italy 3 (Agg. 1-3) (U21 Euro 2009 qualifiers, October 15, 2008) After missing the first-leg through illness, Mario Balotelli all but wrapped up the tie in the first half with two excellent goals. The first was a stunning free-kick from distance and the second a fine turn and finish. Toto Tamuz pulled one back early in the second half but Torino’s Ignazio Abate sealed the win when he was given the freedom of the Israeli half.