Qualifying for UEFA EURO 2012 continues on Tuesday with the likes of England, Spain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands looking to maintain winning form.

Velez Sarsfield joined Arsenal Sarandi at the top of the Apertura table as Santiago Silva's second-half penalty earned them a 2-1 home win over River Plate.

The ten men of the San Jose Earthquakes held on to win 2-1 at the Houston Dynamo in to move fifth in the MLS Western Conference ahead of Seattle Sounders on goal difference.

Guadalajara secured their second win of the Apertura campaign by beating Tecos 3-0 to sit in ninth, seven points behind leading duo Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul but with a game in hand.

Faltering frontrunners Fluminense have seen their lead at the top cut to just one point following a 2-1 defeat to Guarani as Corinthians, with a match in hand, continue to close in.

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup kicked-off in colourful fashion with goals in abundance as Nigeria, Korea Republic plus host nation Trinidad & Tobago collected important wins, as did Germany who went on a scoring spree.

After making his competitive debut for England on Friday in the victory against Bulgaria, manager Fabio Capello has tipped Joe Hart will have a lengthy international career.

Korea Republic punished the South Africans for their profligacy in Tobago on Sunday, winning out 3-1 in an up-and-down Group B contest.

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup got off to a perfect start for hosts Trinidad and Tobago, who took advantage of a large and noisy crowd in Port of Spain to beat Chile 2-1.

Germany confirmed their tag as pre-tournament favourites, handing poor Mexico an almighty 9-0 drubbing in their opener at Trinidad and Tobago 2010.

Nigeria began their Trinidad and Tobago 2010 with a bang, edging defending champions Korea DPR in a tense contest in Port of Spain.

The Champions of Europe and South America open their accounts at Trinidad and Tobago 2010 on Monday with demanding tests against hungry challengers.

Egypt were forced to come from behind to gain a share of the points in their opening CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone in Cairo, while Ghana and Nigeria scored comfortable home wins.

France striker Karim Benzema today declared himself fit and up for the challenge of reviving his country's footballing fortunes against Bosnia on Tuesday.

A late Federico Martinez brace earned Singapore Armed Forces their second successive victory as they beat Gombak 2-0 to move up to fourth in the S.League.

Malawi overcame a two-goal deficit to hold Tunisia 2-2 in a 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations thriller this weekend, as Morocco drew a blank with Central African Republic.

West African hopefuls Ghana are brimming with confidence ahead of their section opener on Monday, as FIFA.com found out in a chat with coach and captain.

All smiles and good cheer ahead of their FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup opener with Brazil, first-timers Republic of Ireland are eager to give it a go.

Didier Drogba today said he had not given up on his international career with Côte d'Ivoire, insisting: "Each time they call me up, I'll be there."

Germany striker Miroslav Klose expects Tuesday's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Azerbaijan will be tougher than the 2010 FIFA World Cup showdowns against Argentina or England.

Robbie Fowler kept Perth Glory on top of Australia's A-League with the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Wellington Phoenix today.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart insists it is too early to start tagging his generation as the players to breathe new life into Fabio Capello's team.

In our regular Sunday feature, FIFA.com presents you with some of the biggest names from Planet Football who will be celebrating their birthdays over the coming week.

New Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said he was satisfied with the team's performance after watching his new charges beat Paraguay yesterday.

Heavyweights Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire got their 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign off to winning starts, but Mali and Togo struggled in the race to reach Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Columbus Crew extended their lead at the top of Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, as nearest challengers the New York Red Bulls lost at Real Salt Lake.

Mauro Obolo's 39th-minute goal took Arsenal Sarandi to the top of the Apertura standings as they beat Argentinos Juniors 1-0, as San Lorenzo saw off Boca Juniors.

Corinthians maintained their pursuit of Fluminense in the Campeonato Brasileiro, as Botafogo let a two-goal lead slip at home to Gremio.

South Africa outplayed minnows Niger to claim a 2-0 victory in today's CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in the north-east city of Nelspruit.

Greece consolidated their position at the top of Group Nine of UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying, as Wales edged out Hungary in Group Three.

Jeju United battled back from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win over Ulsan Horangi today and move to the top of the K-League, as former leaders Seongnam Ilhwa were held to a draw.

Michael Dawson was today ruled out of action for up to eight weeks after spraining left knee ligaments and a left ankle ligament during his full England debut.

Florent Malouda says France's players must harness the "hatred of defeat" as they try to regroup after their shock defeat against Belarus in their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying opener.

Rabah Saadane has resigned as Algeria coach following his side's disappointing 1-1 draw with minnows Tanzania in their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier yesterday.

Samuel Eto'o scored twice as Cameroon beat Mauritius, and Uganda outclassed Angola 3-0 in Kampala as the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying competition kicked off.

Germany and Korea Republic will be fancied to find a way through a tricky Group B at Trinidad and Tobago 2010, where South Africa and Mexico stand in their way.

Holders Korea DPR take on Nigeria in the opening contest of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago. Join FIFA.com for a preview of all the opening-day action.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa scored the only goal as Japan beat Paraguay 1-0 today in their first game since the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Although Korea DPR's coach is quick dismiss assertions that his defending U-17 champions are favourites here at T&T 2010, he spoke to FIFA.com in confident mood.

Michael Dawson has been ruled out of England's upcoming UEFA EURO 2012 clash with Switzerland after injuring a knee during the 4-0 defeat of Bulgaria.

The Mathare Football for Hope Centre has been opened with a view to helping the township's people improve their lives.

Substitute Zhu Jianrong's last-minute strike handed Qingdao Zhongneng a much-needed victory over Chongqing Lifan at Qingdao Tiantai Stadium.

Former Manchester City striker Robinho says he feels at home at new club AC Milan, a team he claimes has "Brazilian blood".

FIFA.com look’s at some this past week’s most interesting comments, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic on joining AC Milan, Cesare Prandelli on Antonio Cassano, David Villa on Lionel Messi and Sergio Batista on Spain.

Melbourne Heart secured their first-ever A-League victory today as Nick Kalmar's early strike sealed a 1-0 win over North Queensland Fury at AAMI Park.

Germany coach Joachim Low is looking forward to taking on Azerbaijan at home on Tuesday after his side opened their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Belgium.

Fernando Torres insists he is feeling better all the time after continuing his quest for full fitness with a brace of goals in Spain's 4-0 win over Lichtenstein.

Estudiantes came from behind to win 2-1 at Godoy Cruz and claim a share of top spot in the early Apertura standings, as Colon Santa Fe claimed their first victory of the campaign.

Jermain Defoe expressed his relief at cancelling his groin operation after bagging his first England hat-trick in last night's 4-0 UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying win over Bulgaria.