Scotland survive Israel shootout, Ireland exit
United’s Rashford becomes MBE
Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II on Friday in recognition of his campaign to feed vulnerable children, alongside hundreds of key workers who helped in the fight against the coronavirus. The England international is one of the highest-profile figures in the monarch's birthday honours list. Rashford, 22, who has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), said he was 'honoured and humbled' to receive the award. Ex-Wales rugby union coach Warren Gatland was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the sport in Wales while former British and Irish Lions captain Gareth Thomas has been awarded a CBE for services to sport and health.
Qatar to host East Zone ACL games
Qatar will host East Zone matches for Asian Champions League (ACL) after the West Zone games were successfully staged in the Gulf state following a long coronavirus hiatus, officials said on Friday. The East Zone teams, which come from countries including Japan, China and Australia, will play their remaining matches in
Doha from November 18December 13, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said in a press release on Friday.
London, UK - Scotland won their first ever penalty shootout to beat Israel in the Euro 2020 semifinal playoffs, but there was spot-kick heartbreak for the Republic of Ireland as they lost out to Slovakia.
Northern Ireland will host the Slovaks next month for a place at the postponed tournament next summer after they too prevailed on penalties after a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Scotland are now one game away from their first major tournament in 22 years when they travel to Serbia on November 12, but were pushed all the way after neither side could find the net in 120 minutes at Hampden.
"It its another step forward to hopefully making a bit of history for the country," said Scotland boss Steve Clarke. "Qualification is still in our hands. We know we've got a tough game but it is one that we'll look forward to.
"I can feel there is something building. It's another game unbeaten and you can feel the elation in the dressing room."
Manchester United's Scott McTominay was among five successful Scotland's penaltytakers, while David Marshall saved from Eran Zahavi.
Haaland upstaged
Serbia stand between Scotland and a place at the Euros after Sergej Milinkovic-Savic upstaged Norway's Erling Haaland by scoring twice in a 2-1 victory for the visitors in Oslo.
Ireland failed to capitalise on Slovakia's own problems with coronavirus absentees as Stephen Kenny's men were left to rue a host of huge chances after a 0-0 draw in Bratislava. Allan Browne and Tottenham's Matt Doherty then failed to score from the spot and the Slovaks made no mistakes to win 4-2 in the shootout.
Northern Ireland upset the odds by coming from behind to beat Bosnia. Rade Krunic opened the scoring early on for the hosts, but Niall McGinn's equaliser gave Ian Baraclough's men something to hold on to.
And they kept their heads to win the shootout 4-3 as Haris Hajradinovic and Edin Visca missed for Bosnia.
Gylfi Sigurdsson's double ensured Iceland beat Romania 2-1 to set up a final against Hungary, who were 3-1 winners in Bulgaria.
Kosovo's dreams of reaching a first ever major tournament came to end as they were beaten 2-1 by North Macedonia. Macedonians have the chance to reach a first major international tournament when they face Georgia, who beat Belarus 1-0, in the Path D final next month.