World Cup Update: Defeat for Nani and Ronaldo’s Portugal

Qualifying matches for the World Cup are underway in the UEFA section and there are already some surprises for some top stars.

In Moscow, a Portuguese side containing Manchester United’s Nani and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, lost 1-0 to Russia in Group 6.

Both sides had entered with a 100% record.

Zenit St Petersburg’s Alexander Kerzhakov scored the winner in the sixth minute.

With the remainder of the group being composed of Luxembourg, Israel, Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland, it is unlikely that these two sides will finish anything other than first and second though.

Sounders FC’s Adam Johansson didn’t make the starting eleven or the bench for his country’s trip to windswept Torhaven, and he may be glad as his side escaped with a narrow 1-2 victory.

The Faroese doubtless caused palpitations felt all the way back to Stockholm when Rogvi Baldvinsson gave the side traditonally composed mainly of teachers and fisherman the lead in the 57th minute.

However, Alexander Kacaniklic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic turned that round with goals within ten minutes. Sweden now have two wins out of two but visit Berlin next Tuesday.

In Group 2, Italy visited Armenia having failed to win their first away game in Bulgaria.The Czech Republic and Denmark make for dangerous competition.

An early penalty goal from Alessandro Pirlo and a later goal from Daniele De Rossi were enough to guarantee them a 1-3 win. Henrikh Mkhitaryan had equalised for the Armenians.  Pablo Daniel Osvaldo scored an insurance goal nine minutes from time.

 World Cup Update: Germans Hit Irish for Six in Dublin