Gary Armstrong

Sergio Ramos celebrated his 100th cap for a Spain with a goal and the captain’s armband on Friday night.

The Finnish national team achieved one of the greatest results in their history on Friday night, earning a 1-1 draw with World and European champions Spain in Gijon.

Southampton rightly opted to sign up Morgan Schneiderlin on a long term deal in February as the stats reveal that the French midfielder has been somewhat of an unsung hero for the Saints in the Premier League this season.

After an 8th consecutive trophyless season, talks of crisis at Arsenal are ringing around the Emirates Stadium once more. However, according to the latest statistics on passing, one player in a Gunners jersey has stood above all others in the Premier League this season: Mikel Arteta.

With most European teams having already played 4 group games, this weekend’s fixture represent a critical stage in the World Cup Qualification process. We now look at which of Friday’s fixtures are likely to be crucial in determining which countries will be on the plane to Brazil next summer.

At 6 feet 8 inches, Lacina Traore may already be a big thing in African football. However, at the age of just 22 years old, Traore’s impressive performances in Russia have led to inevitable comparisons with fellow countryman Didier Drogba and claims that he could become Africa’s next big superstar.

After Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Southampton last weekend, it appears increasingly unlikely that the Reds will qualify for the Champions League spot this season. In spite of a steady form book in 2013, Liverpool remain 9 points off 4th placed Tottenham with just 8 games remaining. 

Like a ticking time-bomb, Michael Owen’s retirement was always in the post. However, in spite of its inevitability, the majority of English football supporters will have been gripped by an air of nostalgia and sadness by today’s news that one of England’s greatest ever strikers is to finally hang up his boots.