UEFA Death group and all groups impacts

Manchester City will meet Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League following the draw in Monaco.

City were the only English club not among the top seeds for the draw, as Roberto Mancini's side still have a relatively low UEFA co-efficient, and they will face Jose Mourinho's nine-times European champions Real, German champions Borussia Dortmund and Dutch league winners Ajax Amsterdam.
"I think it is the hardest group of them all with the champions of Spain, the Netherlands and Germany," Manchester City club ambassador Patrick Vieira said.
"But this is what the Champions League is all about. You have to play these teams and beat them if you want to win it. And we want to win it."
Chelsea, the defending European champions, also have a tough-looking task in Group E along with former winners Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine and Danish newcomers FC Nordsjaelland
Manchester United and Arsenal have more straightforward groups. The Gunners are in Group B with Schalke, Olympiacos and Montpellier, while Sir Alex Ferguson's United will take on Braga, Galatasaray and CFR Cluj in Group H.
There are a couple of glamour ties in prospect for Celtic in Group G - Barcelona are in the group along with Benfica and Spartak Moscow.
Bayern Munich, who lost to Chelsea in last season's Champions League final and were runners-up to Dortmund in the Bundesliga, will face Valencia, Lille and BATE Borisov of Belarus in Group F.
The competition gets underway on September 18/19.
The draw in full:
Group A: Porto, Dynamo Kiev, Paris Saint-Germain, Dinamo Zagreb
Group B: ARSENAL, Schalke, Olympiakos, Montpellier
Group C: AC Milan, Zenit St Petersburg, Anderlecht, Malaga
Group D: Real Madrid, MANCHESTER CITY, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund
Group E: CHELSEA, Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, Nordsjaelland
Group F: Bayern Munich, Valencia, Lille, BATE Borisov
Group G: Barcelona, Benfica, Spartak Moscow, Celtic
Group H: MANCHESTER UNITED, Braga, Galatasaray, Cluj

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All Transfers 2012 in all leagues

We round up every transfer made on a hectic deadline day in England and Scotland, with Tottenham and Manchester City among the most active clubs.

Charlie Adam - Liverpool to Stoke (£5m)
Patrick Agyemang - QPR to Stevenage (free)
Efe Ambrose – Ashdod to Celtic (undisclosed)
Joey Barton - QPR to Marseille (loan)
Yossi Benayoun - Chelsea to West Ham (loan)
Nicklas Bendtner - Arsenal to Juventus (loan)
Dale Bennett – Watford to AFC Wimbledon (loan)
Christian Benteke - Genk to Aston Villa (undisclosed)
Dimitar Berbatov - Manchester United to Fulham (undisclosed)
Federico Bessone - Swansea to Swindon (free)
Andre Blackman – Celtic to Inverness (loan)
Romauld Boco – Sligo to Accrington (undisclosed)
Carlos Bocanegra - Rangers to Racing Santander (loan)
Cian Bolger - Leicester to Bristol Rovers (loan)
Jay Bothroyd - QPR to Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
Jordan Bowery - Chesterfield to Aston Villa (£500,000)
Benjamin Buchel - USV Eschen to Bournemouth (free)
Paul Caddis - Swindon to Birmingham (loan)
Nathaniel Chalobah - Chelsea to Watford (loan)
Scott Christie (Borrowstounness to Hamilton (undisclosed)
Giles Coke -(Sheffield Wednesday to Swindon (loan)
James Coppinger - Doncaster to Nottingham Forest (loan)
Cody Cropper – Southampton (free agent)
Lorenzo Davids - Augsburg to Bournemouth (free)
Nigel de Jong - Manchester City to AC Milan (undisclosed)
Damien Delaney - Ipswich to Crystal Palace (free)
Nathan Delfouneso - Aston Villa to Blackpool (loan)
Clint Dempsey - Fulham to Tottenham (£6m)
Ashkan Dejagah - Wolfsburg to Fulham (undisclosed)
Stephen Dobbie - Swansea to Brighton (undisclosed)
Giovani dos Santos - Tottenham to Real Mallorca (undisclosed)
Paul Dummett - Newcastle to St Mirren (loan)
Nathan Eccleston - Liverpool to Blackpool (undisclosed)
Maurice Edu - Rangers to Stoke (undisclosed)
Johnny Ertl - Sheffield United to Portsmouth (free)
Michael Essien - Chelsea to Real Madrid (loan)
Kane Ferdinand - Southend to Peterborough (£200,000)
George Francomb - Norwich to AFC Wimbledon (loan)
Javi Garcia - Benfica to Manchester City (£16m)
Roman Golobart - Wigan to Tranmere (loan)
Bobby Grant - Scunthorpe to Rochdale (undisclosed)
Nuno Henrique - AD Fafe to Blackburn (undisclosed)
Pablo Hernandez - Valencia to Swansea (£5.55m)
Iain Hume - Preston to Doncaster (loan)
Mike Jones - Sheffield Wednesday to Crawley (undisclosed)
Gael Kakuta - Chelsea to Vitesse Arnhem (loan)
Matthew Kennedy - Kilmarnock to Everton (nominal fee)
Hugo Lloris - Lyon to Tottenham (£12m)
Dani Lopez – Stevenage (free agent)
David Lopez - Athletic Bilbao to Brighton (free)
Alex MacDonald - Burnley to Plymouth (loan)
Sam Magri - Portsmouth to QPR (free)
Maicon - Internazionale to Manchester City (undisclosed)
Stephane Mbia - Marseille to QPR (undisclosed)
Miku - Getafe to Celtic (loan)
David McGoldrick - Nottingham Forest to Coventry (loan)
Daryl Murphy - Celtic to Ipswich (loan)
Matija Nastasic - Fiorentina to Manchester City (£10m)
Steven Nzonzi - Blackburn to Stoke (undisclosed)
Michael O'Halloran - Bolton to Carlisle (loan)
Andrea Orlandi - Swansea to Brighton (undisclosed)
Bryan Oviedo - Copenhagen to Everton (£5m)
Park Chu-Young - Arsenal to Celta Vigo (loan)
Matt Parsons - Crystal Palace to Wycombe (loan)
Goran Popov - Dynamo Kiev to West Brom (loan)
Stephen Quinn - Sheffield United to Hull (undisclosed)
Gaston Ramirez - Bologna to Southampton (undisclosed)
Kieran Richardson - Sunderland to Fulham (£2m)
Oliver Risser - Swindon to Stevenage (loan)
Adam Rooney - Birmingham to Swindon (loan)
Diogo Rosado - Sporting Lisbon to Blackburn (undisclosed)
Danny Rose - Tottenham to Sunderland (loan)
Darel Russell - Preston to Portsmouth (free)
Grzegorz Sandomierski - Genk to Blackburn (loan)
Stefan Savic - Manchester City to Fiorentina (exchange)
Billy Sharp - Southampton to Nottingham Forest – (loan)
Scott Sinclair - Swansea to Manchester City (£6.2m)
Jay Spearing - Liverpool to Bolton (loan)
David Stephens - Hibernian to Barnet (free)
Ryan Stevenson - Ipswich to Hearts (free)
Cameron Stewart - Hull to Burnley (loan)
Paul Taylor - Peterborough to Ipswich (undisclosed)
Josh Thompson - Celtic to Portsmouth (free)
Rafael van der Vaart - Tottenham to Hamburg (£10m)
Ashley Westwood - Crewe to Aston Villa (undisclosed)

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Iniesta The Best player in Europe for 2011-2012

Iniesta wins the best player award in Europe in the season 2011/2012 and beaten Cristiano Ronaldo who came the second after iniesta

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USA bites Mexico at the last minutes

Michael Orozco scored a late winner as the United States upset Mexico 1-0 in a stirring friendly to register their first win away to their arch-rivals.

Orozco's 80th-minute goal was complemented by a pair of fine saves by US goalkeeper Tim Howard in the last 10 minutes to secure victory at Mexico City's intimidating Azteca stadium.

US coaches hugged on the sideline on the final whistle while American players dropped to their knees in celebration.

"It was a fantastic team performance," US manager Jurgen Klinsmann said.

"Getting that win here, it's quite enjoyable. I think it's huge for all American fans and for the team. We were well aware we'd never won at Azteca stadium."

Facing a dangerous attack led by striker Javier Hernandez, the US surrendered possession for most of the match and appeared content to escape with a draw.

But the game turned when Brek Shea made a surprise run on the left wing and played a ball that was back-heeled by Terrance Boyd and knocked in goal by Orozco.

Mexico entered the match with a 23-0-1 home record against the Americans whose previous best result on Mexican soil was 0-0 in 1998.

The US's triumph was built on a watertight defence that nullified the hosts' relentless attacking.

Mexico finished with 19 shots on goal to the visitors' seven, and enjoyed the lion's share of possession.

Hernandez came close to breaking US hearts in the 88th minute with a spectacular header, but Howard saved it to bring the Mexicans back to earth after their Olympic team's gold medal triumph at the London Games last week.

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Brazil beat Sweden

Two goals from substitute Alexandre Pato helped Brazil to a 3-0 win over Sweden in the final international game at Stockholm's Rasunda stadium on Wednesday.

After losing the Olympic final to Mexico last Saturday, Brazil returned to the stadium where a 17-year-old Pele had inspired them to their first World Cup in 1958 and were dominant against the Swedes.

"We needed to give a strong answer and I think we did that," Brazil coach Mano Menezes told a news conference. "We created a lot of chances and scored three goals. It was a fair result."

Pele, watching from the stands, was welcomed back to Stockholm with open arms but Santos forward Neymar was given a harder time of it as the Swedes sought to get to grips with his incisive dribbling and passing.

The 20-year-old had already had a goal disallowed for offside by the time he drifted in and launched a deft cross for fellow forward Leandro Damiao to head home to open the scoring.

He continued to torment the Swedish defenders until he was substituted late in the second half but there was to be no respite as Pato netted two goals in three minutes.

Pato doubled the lead in the 85th minute when he headed home from close range after good work by Dani Alves.

The AC Milan striker then converted a penalty two minutes later after being brought down in the area.

Without injured captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden gave away possession too easily and wasted the few chances they did manage to create.

Sweden coach Erik Hamren was left to rue his side's rush to clear their lines, saying "it (the ball) was a little hot out there today."

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Deschamps lead France draw with Uruguay

 France drew 0-0 with Uruguay in their first international under new coach Didier Deschamps on Wednesday.

Deschamps, captain of the team that won the 1998 World Cup, took over from Laurent Blanc after France lost to eventual champions Spain in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.

None of the four France players - Samir Nasri, Jeremy Menez, Hatem Ben Arfa and Yann M'vila - accused of misbehaviour at Euro 2012 were included in Deschamps' squad for the friendly in Le Havre.

But Karim Benzema and Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, who will have to face a judge to answer claims that they paid for sex with a minor, played and Benzema had an encouraging game before being substituted after an hour.

France began fluently with Benzema playing with Olivier Giroud up front.

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, making his debut in central defence, had a fine effort following a corner saved by Fernando Muslera, and the Uruguay goalkeeper was soon in action again to turn away a Benzema header.

Uruguay, without Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, struggled to get out of their half for long periods with France enjoying the lion's share of possession, but the defence of the Copa America champions kept its shape.

France were more incisive after half-time and Muslera kept out a shot from Mathieu Valbuena before Benzema crashed a volley against Uruguay's left-hand post with the keeper beaten.

A rare Uruguay attack sparked by Diego Forlan forced Hugo Lloris, France's captain, to save from Sebastian Abreu with his feet before Muslera denied Bafetimbi Gomis with a flying save after the French substitute shot from outside the area.

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Van Gaal takes painful start with Belgium

 Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal started his second spell in charge with a painful 4-2 defeat by neighbours Belgium in a friendly international on Wednesday.

Van Gaal chose Klaas Jan Huntelaar as his first-choice striker and kept Robin van Persie on the bench, while right back Ricardo van Rhijn was the only new name from the team that lost all three group stage matches at Euro 2012.

"Despite a poor first half performance in ball possession we created six chances," Van Gaal told SBS6-TV.

"Second half we started well with a well-executed building game.

"The personal foul (of Nigel de Jong) was crucial as we were in control and not only conceded the equaliser but also allowed Belgium back in the match."

With a 4-3-3 starting formation and one holding midfielder in Nigel de Jong, the Dutch made a stuttering start and fell behind after 20 minutes when Kevin Mirallas set up Belgium striker Christian Benteke to open the scoring.

Despite creating several chances before the break, the Dutch had to wait till nine minutes into the second half for the equaliser when 20-year-old left back Bruno Martins Indi launched Arjen Robben who set up Luciano Narsingh to score.

A minute later Martin Indi connected with Robben again and the winger found Huntelaar who put the Dutch ahead.

But between the 75th and 80th minutes the young Dutch defence collapsed under the pressure of the passionate Belgian attack.

First De Jong failed to control the ball and lost it to Dries Mertens who equalised and he set up Romelu Lukaku a minute later.

Central defender Jan Vertonghen sealed the Dutch side's fourth straight defeat, their first four-match losing streak since 1954, from a pass by Mertens.

The Netherlands start their World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign on September 7 at home against Turkey, while Belgium travel Wales.

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Messi punished 10-man Germany

Lionel Messi made up for missing a first-half penalty by inspiring Argentina to a comfortable 3-1 victory over 10-man Germany in Frankfurt.

Messi scored, hit the post and terrorised Germany’s defence in a way that only he can as his side made full use of their numerical advantage during the final hour to end up winners of a match that threatened to go the other way early on.

Angel Di Maria, whose cross had led to Sami Khedira’s own goal in first-half stoppage time, added the third, while Benedikt Hoewedes pulled one pack for Germany late on.

It was only once former Manchester United goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler saw red for a foul on Jose Sosa after half an hour that the game began to develop a pattern.

Zieler’s dismissal meant a second cap for Borussia Moenchengladbach’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen and the unenviable task of facing a Messi penalty within seconds of coming on for Thomas Mueller.

Ter Stegen did the unthinkable by falling low to his left and smothering the ball after what had been a very weak strike by Messi’s standards, the World Player of the Year even managing to stutter during his run-up.

It was just the confidence-booster that the youngster needed as he saw far more of the ball within five minutes than Zieler had in his half-hour on the pitch. The tide was turning in Argentina’s favour though, with Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano dictating most of the play from midfield as his side’s extra man began to count.

Germany still looked dangerous on the counter-attack, with veteran striker Miroslav Klose failing to get his right boot to a beautifully-weighted cross from Marcel Schmelzer with goalkeeper Sergio Romero easily beaten. The German captain had earlier set-up Mesut Ozil with a near-post chance after some fabulous interplay with Marco Reus on the left wing.

Despite having the greater amount of possession in the final 15 minutes of the first half, there was more than a touch of good fortune about Argentina’s opener as Di Maria’s near-post cross cruelly deflected past Ter Stegen off the knee of Khedira.

Had Gonzalo Higuain, who ended the game with a bandaged head and strapped knee, volleyed in an early far-post chance, then the scoreline might have looked more impressive by the break. As it was, Argentina saved their best until the second half.

First Messi doubled his side’s advantage, calmly slotting home from the edge of the box after receiving Higuain’s low cross, and then he set about pestering the German defence relentlessly, with a series of jinking runs forcing Ter Stegen to stay alert for the rest of the match.

A wonderful back-heeled pass to Higuain should have resulted in a third goal, but the latter’s chipped shot beat not only Ter Stegen, but the far post as well. There was to be another goal from the feet of a Real Madrid player though when Di Maria’s first-time shot from 30 yards rocketed into the net.

Germany’s consolation came in the shape of a lively performance from substitute Andre Schuerrle, and the Chelsea target supplied the cross for Hoewedes to head home his first international goal.

It could have been even closer though had Khedira not strayed offside three minutes after the break before setting-up Ozil for a near-post finish. Had Ozil’s finish, which came shortly after Reus’s shot had cannoned off the post, evened up the scoreline, the outcome could have been different.

Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella will have learnt little from the victory, but the result itself will have instilled a confidence in his side, that did not appear evident at kick-off, ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay.

There should be no panic from Joachim Loew either: the performances of Schuerrle, Reus and Schmelzer, in particular, giving him reason to have high expectations for his young squad.

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Defoe takes England away of Italy

 Jermain Defoe's sumptuous late winner handed England a 2-1 international friendly victory over Italy in Berne on Wednesday and a modicum of revenge for their Euro 2012 quarter-final penalty shootout loss to the Azzurri.

Substitute Defoe, netting for the 16th time in 49 internationals, capped a rapid counter-attack 11 minutes from time when he curled in from just outside the penalty area.

It was England's first victory over Italy since 1997 and came little over seven weeks since Cesare Prandelli's side beat England 4-2 on spot kicks in Kiev after a goalless 120 minutes.

Both sides were unrecognisable from that June 24 meeting, fielding young and experimental sides before the serious business of 2014 World Cup qualifying starts next month.

Captain Daniele De Rossi headed Italy in front after 15 minutes when he met an inswinging corner from Alessandro Diamanti and powerfully headed past debutant goalkeeper Jack Butland into the roof of the net.

Butland, 19, became the youngest keeper to play for England despite never having played in the country's top two divisions.

England hit back 12 minutes later from another set piece, defender Phil Jagielka ignoring the attentions of Federico Balzaretti to stoop to head in Frank Lampard's corner for his first international goal.

"It was great to be able to give some of the senior players a rest and to be able to blood some new players, some fresh talent and they answered the challenge in the best possible way with a great victory," England manager Roy Hodgson told ITV.

"I don't think there was a great difference between what we did in the Euros and what we did tonight. Perhaps we just played with that little bit more composure."

As well as Butland, Hodgson blooded midfielder Tom Cleverley and handed debuts after the break to keeper John Ruddy, defender Ryan Bertrand and midfielder Jake Livermore. Midfielder Michael Carrick also made his first international start since 2010.

Italy, beaten by Spain in the final of Euro 2012, handed debuts to strikers Stephan El Shaarawy and Mattia Destro, the latter wasting his own good control from a long ball midway through the first half when he blasted wastefully wide from a good position.

Ruddy, who replaced Butland at halftime, saved well at his near post from Destro and then substitute and fellow debutant Federico Peluso spurned a good chance by shooting wide.

Peluso was almost left red-faced at the other end from James Milner's dangerous cross but flailing keeper Salvatore Sirigu prevented an own goal.

Bertrand had an immediate impact when he was in the right place on the goalline to clear and from the breakaway England struck.

James Milner led the counter-attack and his swift pass found Defoe on the edge of the box. With his back to Ignazio Abate, the striker swivelled and rifled in a fierce shot that thundered past Sirigu.

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Messi got Germany in his pocket

 Lionel Messi made light of a first-half penalty miss as he began the season with a typically exuberant display to help Argentina outclass Germany 3-1 in a friendly where everything went wrong for the hosts.

Messi, out of the limelight during Euro 2012 and the Olympic Games, clearly relished being back on centre stage against as Argentina came close to avenging their 4-0 World Cup quarter-final defeat two years ago.

He scored Argentina's second and was twice within centimetres of adding more goals, causing mayhem in the German defence every time he was given the ball.

Messi, until recently accused by some Argentine critics of saving his best for Barcelona, has scored in his last five internationals, including hat-tricks against Switzerland and Brazil.

Argentina themselves have lost only once in 12 outings since Alejandro Sabella replaced Sergio Batista as coach one year ago.

Germany, on the other hand, will face more questions as the defeat came less than two months after their shock semi-final loss to Italy in Euro 2012.

Germany had begun brightly and could have taken the lead before the game turned in the 31st minute when goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler upended Jose Sand, conceded a penalty and was sent off.

His replacement Marc-Andre ter Stegen, playing his second international, saved Messi's weakly struck spot-kick, but it was only the beginning of Germany's troubles.

The Germans, who had already lost Mats Hummels in a clash of heads with Gonzalo Higuain, then conceded an own goal in first-half injury time when Sami Khedira turned Angel Di Maria's corner into his own goal.

Playing with a man down against an attack feature Di Maria, Messi and Higuain was clearly a hopeless task and Argentina compounded their misery by bringing on Sergio Aguero at halftime.

To prove it was not their evening, Germany forward Marco Reus shot against the post early in the second half and, although Khedira had the ball in the net from the rebound, his effort was disallowed for offside.

MAJESTIC STRIKE

After Messi swept home Higuain's cutback with a majestic left-foot strike in the 51st minute, it became a case of how many Argentina would score.

Sabella recognised that the penalty was the turning point.

"Germany had played better than us up to that point and that completely turned the match in our favour," he said.

"In the second half, Messi combined well with Aguero and that gave us more options against a team in a numerical disadvantage."

Germany coach Joachim Loew added: "When you're down to 10 men for an hour and give away an own goal against some technically very good players, it's very, very difficult to get back into the game again."

The last half hour was purgatory for Germany as Argentina's diminutive forwards pulled them inside out and Germany's only salvation was that Messi missed two chances he would normally have put away.

Messi failed to take advantage of his favourite situation when he was sent clean through on goal but sent his characteristic dink wide of the goal, then slipped between two defenders but poked the ball wide again.

In between, Di Maria added the third with a 35-metre drive which left Ter Stegen wrong-footed before Benedikt Hoewedes headed a consolation to make the score more respectable

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Spain hits Puerto Rico with Two and wins

World and European champions Spain missed a glut of scoring chances but still completed a 2-1 victory over lowly Puerto Rico in an international friendly at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium.

Santi Cazorla and Cesc Fabregas both struck in the opening half as Spain applied continual pressure on the home team's defence and the visitors could have been up by at least five goals instead of just two at half-time.

Cazorla opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, blasting home from long range, and Fabregas followed suit in the 45th minute after a pinpoint cross from the right by Jesus Navas.

However, Puerto Rico goalkeeper Bill Gaudette kept his team in the game with a string of fine saves and they eventually scored their only goal, against the run of play, in the 65th minute.

Marc Cintron latched on to a long goal kick by Gaudette and, on the break, buried his shot into the net.

Spain, despite playing a team 137 places below them in the FIFA rankings and whose only four previous matches this year have all been against Nicaragua, failed to come really close to adding to the score.

A notable absentee for Spain was Barcelona playmaker Xavi, who suffered from a niggling calf injury last season and was not selected by coach Vicente del Bosque to allow him more time to prepare for the La Liga season.

Juanfran also limped off with an injury.

Spain begin their qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil away to Georgia on September 11 and are in a Group I which also features France, Belarus and Finland.

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Capello starts with Russia draw

Fabio Capello was denied a victory in his first game as Russia coach when a second-half equaliser by midfielder Max Gradel earned Ivory Coast a 1-1 draw in a friendly on Wednesday.

Russia playmaker Alan Dzagoyev put the hosts ahead with a nicely-taken freekick from the edge of the box 10 minutes into the second half.

Italian Capello, who replaced Dutchman Dick Advocaat as Russia boss last month, gave defender Georgy Shchennikov and midfielder Viktor Faizulin their national team debuts while leaving under-fire captain Andrei Arshavin on the sidelines in the first half.

Capello's strategy paid off as the home team dominated before Dzagoyev, Euro 2012 joint top scorer with three goals, gave the Russians a deserved lead on 55 minutes.

The Ivorians, missing six players through injury, were content to play safe in the first half.

They also missed Arsenal striker Gervinho and West Ham United defender Guy Demel because they did not get permission from their English clubs to travel to Russia.

The visitors increased the tempo after falling behind and midfielder Abdul Razack wasted a good chance midway through the second half when he struck the post from close range after a nice feed by Didier Drogba.

Soon after, Gradel headed against the crossbar but followed his own rebound to fire into an empty goal 13 minutes from time with keeper Vyacheslav Malafeyev unable to get off the ground after reacting to the initial shot.

Capello, who was seen grimacing on the bench as the ball trickled into Russia's goal, was nevertheless satisfied with the final outcome.

"It was a tough game but I'm pleased the way we played," the former England manager told reporters. "It was a good test for several young players, making their national team debuts."

Capello brought Arshavin into the game midway through the second half but the forward, who was greeted by a chorus of whistles and boos from the home crowd, looked out of pace.

"I was unpleasantly surprised to see fans whistling Arshavin. I just don't understand that," Capello said. "We lost concentration because of that and soon conceded a goal."

Arshavin, seen by fans and local media as one of the main culprits for Russia's Euro 2012 flop, added: "Of course I was disappointed by the fans' reaction but I tried to ignore it the best I could."

The Russians also lost Alexander Anyukov to injury in the first half, the right back suffering a concussion after colliding with two opponents in mid-air.

The game was Capello's only test before Russia host Northern Ireland in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on Sept. 7, while Ivory Coast resume their World Cup qualifying campaign against Gambia next March.

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The Americans rating for the London Games is !!

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Great Britain doesn't like to be made fun of, and heading into these Olympic Games one of the primary concerns for the locals was not being embarrassed.

Following the extraordinary and lavish display of national pride that was Beijing, 2008 was going to be a difficult act to follow, and Londoners feared a calamity-ridden Games that would give the city and the country a black eye in front of the world.

Throw in the administrative hurdle of a global economic downturn, and London had plenty of factors stacked against it, but has managed to get to the finish line without any major issues.

As ever at the end of an Olympics, thoughts turn to how it stacks up against those that came before it. So how did London fare?

Crowds: B+

The ones that got in were terrific. Eighty thousand per night at track and field, swimming and boxing packed, basketball overloaded, even nearly 30,000 for dressage. The locals were into it, and London was accessible to so many nations. Plus, this is one of the most, if not the most, diverse city in the world, so many who live here now could root on the nation they left behind. The energy was incredible.

The only downside was the traditional plague of empty seats courtesy of sponsor and IOC sections. London was slow to react with a plan to fill them with people who couldn't get a ticket in the first place.

Venues: A

Perhaps no city in the world could produce such a combination of traditional landmarks, historic sporting grounds and modern construction.

The marathon finished by Buckingham Palace, beach volleyball was at the Horse Guard Parade, equestrian in a park founded in 1427, archery at the two-century-old Lord's Cricket Grounds, tennis was at Wimbledon, soccer was played Wembley and Old Trafford in Manchester and so on.

London is about history and the Games showcased it brilliantly. The city then added a terrific Olympic Stadium for athletics, including a fast track, a spectator-friendly set up for rowing, and a number of perfect smaller spots such as badminton, combat sports and BMX. There wasn't a bad set up out there.

Transportation: A

Blessed with an extensive subway system and a country that long ago invested in rail services, London was a in a great spot. They then upped the number of trains to avoid congestion and, to the luck of visitors, a lot of locals took off and left the streets free of major congestion. Everything worked. And we minded the gap.

Closing times: D

Apparently the Brits like to get to bed early. Many kitchens close at 10 p.m., many bars by 1 a.m.. Much of the rest of the world likes to hang out a bit later — in many countries, particularly around the Mediterranean, you don't even go out until midnight. This was a culture war. We're on the side of keeping things open late.

Tomato soup: A

British restaurants aren't much for vegetables but across the board they made a mean bowl of tomato soup.

Air conditioning: F

Unless you like a soft push of lukewarm air to cool you off.

Newspapers: A

This may be an internet site, but it was a throwback to be in a city where reading the paper, or six or seven papers, was a regular part of the day. Tabloids ran from entertainingly trashy to respectable. Broadsheets were serious and well written. Everyone liked running big pics of Princess Kate, Jessica Ennis and women's beach volleyball.

Beer: C+

Zero consistency on temperature, pour or taste, although it was always readily available.

Mascot: F

That thing (Wenlock) is creepy. Bring back Bei Bei and Jing Jing.

Royal family: C

The Queen acted in an opening ceremony video. The rest of them mugged it up for every camera available in a shameless bit of look-at-us-we're-normal-fans. What exactly do they do again? If they didn't have Kate this would be one sorry lot. And where the heck was Pippa?

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United Lose to Barca on pens

Gerard Pique scored the winning spot-kick as Barcelona beat Manchester United on penalties after the sides played out a goalless draw in Gothenburg.

Nani and Ashley Young failed to convert United’s two penalties as the sides needed a three-penalty shootout to decide a match that Barcelona had dominated.

But it could have been different for United had Victor Valdes not denied Wayne Rooney from the spot in first half stoppage time – with Rooney slashing the rebound wide.

Manchester United had the better of their friendly against Barcelona at FedEx Field in Washington DC this time last year, with Michael Owen scoring the winner on that occasion.

But despite Paul Scholes looking in inspired form Barcelona dominated from early on this time around, and the Catalan giants should have led when Lionel Messi drove at the United defence before feeding Cristian Tello, who took too long to shoot – and could only find the side-netting.

Barca came even closer moments later when Messi jinked his way beyond Antonio Valencia and drilled a low shot towards the bottom corner, but David De Gea pulled off a superb fingertip save low to his left - the first of many excellent saves by the former Atletico Madrid keeper.

Barca opened United up at will and they spurned another big chance when Messi again found Tello in space on the left, but Rio Ferdinand made up enough ground to deflect the shot over the bar.

The game’s big moment came in first half injury time when Tello clumsily brought down Nani in the box, but Rooney’s powerful penalty was at a comfortable height for Valdes to palm away.

Rooney was first to the rebound, but snatched at it and the ball flew wide.

Andres Iniesta, Messi and Rooney were among the big names rested for the second half, but United’s new signing Shinji Kagawa came off the bench and almost made an instant impact.

Collecting Danny Welbeck’s cushioned pass, Kagawa tried to coax the ball into the bottom corner – but Jose Manuel Pinto, another player introduced at the break, made an accomplished save low to his right.

But it was mostly one-way traffic in the second half as Barca threatened to get their noses in front, but they were unable to breach De Gea, who was in inspired form.

The Spaniard, playing his first game for United this summer having represented Spain at the European Championships and the London Olympics, made two crucial saves – one with his legs from Alexis Sanchez, and the second an acrobatic flying save from Pedro’s goalbound header.

Chances came and went as the game limped towards an inevitable conclusion, with Xavi and Pique each scoring from the spot to ensure victory for the Catalan club.

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Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta on award finalist

Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been named on the three-man shortlist for the UEFA Best Player in Europe award.

The prize, awarded for the first time last year to Barcelona forward Messi, is determined by votes from sports journalists from across Europe and was introduced as a replacement for the Ballon d'Or when the prestigious honour was absorbed into FIFA's World Player of the Year award in 2010.

Messi - who also won the final Ballon d'Or in 2009 and FIFA's awards in 2009, 2010 and 2011 - is a leading contender once again having scored a remarkable 73 goals in 60 games for Barcelona last season as he broke the club's all-time scoring record.

However, he only won the Copa del Rey, while his great rival Ronaldo, winner of the 2008 Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award, helped Real Madrid to the Liga title while scoring 60 goals in all competitions.

Though he possesses a lower profile than La Liga's two most prolific players, Barcelona midfielder Iniesta makes the three-man shortlist having helped Spain record a third successive victory in major international tournaments when triumphing at Euro 2012.

Iniesta was named Player of the Tournament following the finals in Poland and Ukraine and UEFA has disclosed that Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo, beaten in the final in Kiev, came fourth in the vote to determine the Best Player in Europe award.

Spain's Xavi and Iker Casillas, former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, Atletico Madrid striker Falcao and Germany and Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil completed the top 10.

Bangor City's Les Davies, a shock inclusion on the long list announced on July 16, did not make the shorter version.

The prize will be awarded in Monaco on August 30 when the Champions League group stage draw is made. The 53 journalists will conduct a live vote and decide between the three Liga stars.

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Injury will not let Walcott play England-Italy friendly

Theo Walcott has withdrawn from the England squad to face Italy on Wednesday evening after suffering a bruised thigh.

The injury restricted Walcott in training and he has now been sent back to Arsenal to continue his recovery.

Manager Roy Hodgson has opted against naming a replacement player for the fixture in Berne. England fly out to Switzerland on Tuesday afternoon.

An FA statement read: "Arsenal forward Theo Walcott will not travel to Switzerland with the England squad today [Tuesday 14 August].

"Walcott reported with a slightly bruised thigh and was unable to train fully, so has returned to his club as a precaution."

Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain withdrew from the England squad on Monday, complaining of an ankle injury.

He was replaced by Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott as England prepare to face the team that knocked them out of the Euro 2012 quarter-finals on penalties.

City goalkeeper Joe Hart and Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge have also withdrawn due to injury.

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Capello solidarity with Arshavin

New Russia coach Fabio Capello kept faith with Andrei Arshavin by naming the underfire forward as his captain for Wednesday's friendly against Ivory Coast.

Local media had called on Capello to take away the armband after Arshavin was heavily criticised for his performances during Euro 2012.

The Italian, who replaced Dutchman Dick Advocaat as coach last month, said on Tuesday he was ready to give the 31-year-old another go.

"Everyone deserves a second chance," former England manager Capello told reporters at the team's training base near Moscow.

"This is his chance to prove to everyone that he still plays an important role in this team. I want to see Arshavin showing his best quality on the pitch and again becoming the player everyone loved to watch."

In February, Arshavin rejoined former club Zenit St Petersburg on loan from Arsenal following a turbulent year at the London club but failed to rediscover his best form.

He was also seen as one of the main culprits for Russia's Euro 2012 flop, with the slightly-built striker forced to issue an apology to fans after the team failed to advance past the group stages in Poland and Ukraine.

"Arshavin doesn't deserve to be Russia captain, he just doesn't have the proper qualities and the ability to lead the team," former Soviet international Yevgeny Lovchev, now a leading columnist, wrote in the daily Sovietsky Sport last month.

The player's club future has also been in limbo, with media reports saying he is likely to leave Arsenal before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

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Sturridge, Hart,Ox out from the friendly

Joleon Lescott has been called up by manager Roy Hodgson following three departures from his squad for the only friendly before England's World Cup qualifying campaign begins away to Moldova next month.

Hart has a back problem that forced him to miss Manchester City's 3-2 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield season curtain-raiser at Villa Park on Sunday which means John Ruddy or teenager Butland will make their England bow.

Prior to this summer, Butland's only previous experience at senior level was League Two for Cheltenham last season. Then, when Ruddy was forced to pull out of England's Euro 2012 squad, Butland was elevated into the senior ranks for the first time as third-choice goalkeeper.

Although Butland did not make an appearance in Poland and Ukraine, he made a big impression on the England coaching staff and was also allowed to play for Great Britain during their Olympic campaign. Butland again did well in front of massive crowds at Old Trafford, Wembley and the Millennium Stadium.

So, with England Under-21s not in action this week, Hodgson named Butland as his third choice again for the trip to Berne.

However, with Hart ruled out due to a back injury, Hodgson has shown incredible belief in Butland by opting not to call up a replacement.

As the only other keeper in the squad is the uncapped Ruddy, someone will make their debut this week.

The question Hodgson is mulling over is whether Butland should be the man, even though the youngster himself insisted less than a fortnight ago that he was still some way off challenging Hart for his England place.

"I am still only 19 and I need to play games before I can ever think about testing Joe because he is one of the best keepers in the world at present," he told Press Association Sport.

One of Butland's Olympic team-mates, Sturridge, will not be involved either after picking up a toe injury during Chelsea's Community Shield defeat to Manchester City.

Arsenal's Oxlade-Chamberlain has also been ruled out of the Wembley friendly with an ankle injury. The winger, who turns 19 on Wednesday, reported for duty on Monday morning but, after sustaining an ankle injury in Arsenal's friendly with Cologne on Sunday, has immediately been released back to his club.

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Balotelli out from England friendly

A statement on the federation website said the Manchester City forward had been replaced by Udinese's Diego Fabbrini for the match in Berne.

Balotelli, who scored three goals at Euro 2012 as his side finished runners-up in the tournament, was also absent from City's Community Shield win over Chelsea on Sunday due to the eye infection.

The Italians face England who will be without first-choice goalkeeper Joe Hart (back), forward Daniel Sturridge (toe) and winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (ankle), after all three withdrew through injury.

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Shay given leaves the International team

"After a lot of thought and consideration, I have made the most difficult decision to retire from international football," the Aston Villa player said on his personal Twitter account.

"It's been a great honour and privilege to play and on occasion captain the team," added the 36-year-old. "I wish to thank all the players, managers, staff and most importantly the most wonderful fans in the world."

The news was confirmed by the Football Association of Irelandm, who explained that Given had informed Irish coach Giovanni Trapattoni of his decision.

The Italian paid tribute to the player's 16-year international career, saying: "I understand the difficult decision that Shay had to make, and appreciate all of his efforts during his international career.

"He is a strong player, with a great character and his love of playing for his country always shone through.

"It has been a pleasure to work with him during my time with the team. I wish him the very best in his future."

According to the FAI, Given has informed the FAI that he would "happily return to assist with goalkeeping duties" should there ever be any squad emergency.

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