World Cup Qualifiers : Group B

Czech Republic 1-2 Armenia 

Armenia stunned the Czech Republic as, Karlen Mkrtchyan and Gevorg Ghazaryan scored in Prague. Mkrtchyan put the visitors ahead with a first-half wonder-goal , but Tomas Rosicky leveled for the Czechs in the second half . Czech Republic had lot of chances missed, and Ghazaryan made them pay, combining with Yura Movsisyan before slotting past Petr Čech for the winner in stoppage time. Armenia, who beat Denmark, 4-0, in their last match, moved up to fourth with nine points, one behind second-placed Bulgaria. The Czechs also have nine points, but are third based on goal differential.

Italy 1-0 Bulgaria 

Alberto Gilardino scored the only goal in the 38th minute, as Italy grabbed a nervy win at home to Bulgaria. Italy top the group with 17 points with three matches remaining. Another win at home to the Czech Republic on Tuesday would seal automatic qualification as group winners.

Malta 1-2 Denmark 

An own goal by Malta's Ryan Camillieri in the 53rd minute gave Denmark the win. Leon Andreasen put the visitors ahead in the second minute, but Clayton Failla equalised seven minutes before halftime. With nine points, fifth-placed Denmark remain alive in the race for the playoffs.

World Cup qualifiers: Group A

Scotland 0-2 Belgium 

Belgium took a step forward for a berth in Brazil with a win at Scotland. Steven Defour scored in the 38th minute to give Belgium a 1-0 lead. Kevin Mirallas then made it 2-0 in the 89th minute, freeing himself from his marker before powering his shot into the net. The result kept Belgium atop Group A, five points ahead of Croatia with two matches remaining. Scotland prop up the group with five points. Belgium can clinch automatic qualification with a win or draw at Croatia on Oct. 11.

Serbia 1-1 Croatia

The result was a draw, however Serbia were eliminated from contention. Mario Mandzukic opened the scoring for Croatia in the 53rd minute, only for Aleksandar Mitrovic to equalise 13 minutes later. Serbia's Nemanja Matic was sent off in the 75th minute, and Croatia's Josip Simunic followed five minutes later. Croatia must beat Belgium at home next month to have a chance at winning the group.

Macedonia 2-1 Wales

Ivan Trickovski put Macedonia ahead in the 20th minute, but Aaron Ramsey leveled for Wales from the penalty spot six minutes before the break. Aleksandar Trajkovski grabbed the winner 10 minutes from time.
Surprisingly Gareth Bale, the world's most expensive player, remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes. 

England's squad for qualifiers announced, some surprise inclusion and omissions

Roy Hodgson has announced England squad for FIFA World cup qualifying matches.

England is second behind Montenegro in Group H with four matches left to play, with the fixtures on Sept. 6 and Sept. 10 pitting England against Moldova and Ukraine, respectively. 

Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend are the chief surprise names, despite both having enjoyed positive starts to the new season. Also uncapped goalkeeper Fraser Forster is in the squad following Ben Foster's injury.
Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge ,who returns to the squad having been injured for the friendly game against Scotland in mid-August.
Manchester United's Wilfried Zaha and Arsenal's AlexOxlade-Chamberlain have both been omitted, having featured against the Scots.
Elsewhere, Rickie Lambert retains his spot after scoring on his debut for England, while Wayne Rooney is also included after starting his first game of the season Monday night.

Squad: 

Goalkeepers 
Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City), Fraser Forster (Celtic)

Defenders Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Tottenham), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton),Leighton Baines (Everton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea)

Midfielders 

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)(c), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), James Milner (Manchester City), Ross Barkley (Everton), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Andros Townsend (Tottenham), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)

Forwards 
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Ashley Young (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United).

World Cup favorites

 The article ranks the six favourites for next summer’s tournament as they currently stand.
 Doubtless, the fates and fortunes of a whole crop of players over the coming months will alter this order, but don’t be surprised to see all of these names lurking around in the business-end of competition in Brazil.

ITALY

 FIFA Ranking: 6

Qualifying Status:
Sitting pretty in Group B, Italy are on course for Brazil and currently lead Bulgaria by four points.

Pedigree:
Second only to Brazil in terms of pedigree. Italy have won four titles in three different decades; the 30s, the 80s and then recently in 2006. They also appeared in the final in 1970 and 1994, where only the lottery of penalties separated them from eventual-champions, Brazil.

 Star Man: In a squad laced with excellent talents and players plying their trade at the top end of European competition, it is still Andrea Pirlo that stands out. He remains the team’s lynchpin and their tactical heartbeat. The Juventus man will be 35 by the time the World Cup rolls around, but, injury permitting, will certainly be seeking the perfect swansong to a wonderful career.

Netherlands

FIFA Ranking : 5

Qualifying Status :
 Storming away with UEFA Group D. Seven points ahead of second-placed Hungary, September’s fixtures against Andorra and Estonia could seal progression.

 Pedigree:
Often the bridesmaid, never the bride. The Netherlands hold the unenviable honour of making three finals, without ever having made it over the finishing line. In 1974, inspired by Johan Cruyff and driven by Total Football, they were pipped by Germany. A squad containing familiar faces fell short against Argentina four years later. Four years ago, an un-fancied Dutch side bullied their way to the final and took a special Spanish team to extra time, only to be unstuck by Andrés Iniesta.

Star Man:
The underperforming generation of a decade ago will all be in their thirties by the time the World Cup reaches its latter stages next summer. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Rafael van der Vaart have all achieved great things with their clubs, but have too-often bombed spectacularly in national colours. Many are anticipating that Roma’s midfield man Kevin Strootman will come of age and inspire the tattered veterans to great things in Brazil.

BRAZIL

 FIFA Ranking : 9

Qualifying Status: Confirmed as hosts.

 Pedigree:
The best of the best.
The most successful nation in the competition’s history, they have five titles—the most recent coming when they defeated Germany in the final in 2002.

 Star Man:
Some may bemoan the saturation of Neymar da Silva Santos at the moment, but Barcelona’s new man is riding a wave—one that he hopes will continue to next summer. £53 million is an awfully hefty fee, particularly for a player who has no experience with Europe’s major leagues. Neymar’s performances at the Confederations Cup, however, seemed to indicate that the prodigy is ready to take the mantle for club and country.

Argentina 

 FIFA Ranking: 4

Qualifying Status:
Top of the CONMEBOL tree with three games to go.

 Pedigree:
 Not too shabby, have won two World Cups—in 1978 and 1986. Unfortunately, they boast only a 50% success rate in World Cup finals, having been bested by Uruguay in 1930 and by Germany in 1990.

Star Man: Lionel Messi.
The greatest player of his generation, if not of all-time—will look to end the Pélé or Maradona debate by guiding Argentina to victory on enemy soil next summer.

Germany 

FIFA Ranking: 2

 Qualifying Status:
 Lead Austria by five points in UEFA Qualifying Group C.

 Pedigree:
Three World Cups, two as West Germany (in 1954 and 1974) as well as victory as a unified nation in 1990. Defeated finalists on four occasions.


 Star Man:
Team is full of stalwarts.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, the team’s veteran at 29, is the side’s metronome and their point of reference. could make a massive impact on the world’s greatest stage.

SPAIN

FIFA Ranking: 1

Qualifying Status:
They currently lead their Gallic counterpoints by one point, with three more games to play.

Pedigree:
Decades of underachievement and failure were all but written off by a stunning period of unprecedented success. The current crop won the World Cup in 2010, a triumph sandwiched between two European Championship victories.

Star Man:
While La Roja is full of star players but Jordi Alba could be the real difference-maker. His speed, width and ingenuity add a dimension to the side that has papered over the cracks in recent years. He will be expected to excel in Brazil.