European champions Portugal spurned a two-goal lead against Tunisia, stumbling to a 2-2 draw, as France, one of the World Cup favourites, flexed their muscles with a comfortable 2-0 win over Ireland in warm-up friendlies on Monday.
Cristiano Ronaldo-led Euro 2016 champions, Portugal inched closer to the top-five after climbing two places to 6th in the FIFA world rankings released on Thursday.
Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench and scored an opportunist goal which set Portugal on the way to a 2-0 win in Andorra on Saturday that maintained their chances of qualifying directly for the World Cup.
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been accused of loving himself too much and his unbalanced attitude has been said to be at the root of Portugal's 2014 World Cup failure.
Rampant Germany hammered Portugal 4-0, with four players sharing the goals, to progress to the semi-finals of the Rio Games football tournament on Saturday.
Believed to be underworld don Abu Salem's girlfriend, the former actress had sought asylum in Portugal claiming she would face 'discrimination' by the Indian government as she belonged to a minority community.
'All teams are equal, no-one is above average, we are all at the same level,' said the Brazil-born midfielder.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton overtook main rival Max Verstappen and Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas to win the Portuguese Grand Prix on Sunday and go eight points clear in the Formula One standings.
How India's athletes fared at the Paris Paralympic Games on Friday.
Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso is a serious doubt for the European champions' last-16 clash against neighbours Portugal after spraining an ankle in Friday's 2-1 win over Chile.
Cristiano Ronaldo is all set for his second chance to shine in Brazil when pointless Portugal attempt to get their World Cup campaign back on track against Juergen Klinsmann's United States in sultry Manaus on Sunday.
Portugal midfielder Deco has apologised for questioning coach Carlos Queiroz's tactics in their opening draw with the Ivory Coast.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari named the Brazilian-born midfielder in his 20-man squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Cristiano Ronaldo hit his first goal of the 2014 World Cup to lift Portugal to a 2-1 victory over Ghana in Brasilia but both sides bowed out of the tournament as Germany and USA advanced to the last 16.
Cesc Fabregas struck the winning spot kick as holders Spain beat Portugal 4-2 on penalties after their Euro 2012 semi-final ended goalless after extra time on Wednesday.
World champions Germany drew 1-1 with Spain in a high tempo friendly on Friday as they launched their preparations for a title defence in Russia while their opponents had striker Diego Costa making his long-awaited comeback as a substitute.
Prospects for the first Euro 2012 semi-final to be played between Portugal and Spain.
The nation is prepared for rioting soccer fans and an attack similar to the March train bombings in Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo finally ended Lionel Messi's four-year reign as soccer's best player in 2013 and a starring role for Portugal at the World Cup finals would cap another stellar season for the astonishing forward.
Ireland stunned world champions Germany 1-0 thanks to Shane Long's 70th-minute strike on Thursday to throw Euro 2016 qualifying Group D game.
Brazil lived up to expectations by smashing Bolivia 5-1 at home in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers opener on Friday.
The Manchester United keeper let a tame shot from Cristiano Ronaldo through his arms for Portugal's second goal on Friday and has been criticised in Spain for his badly positioned defensive wall when Ronaldo struck the late equaliser.
Midfielder Andre broke the deadlock for the Euro 2016 finalists in difficult, wet conditions just after the half hour and Nani, celebrating his 29th birthday, scored direct from a free kick in the 89th minute.
Carlos Alcaraz powered into the Australian Open quarter-finals for the first time on Monday
Cristiano Ronaldo saved Portugal from an embarrassing defeat in Armenia on Wednesday while Belgium dented Serbia's hopes of reaching Euro 2008 with a 3-2 qualifying win.
Portugal charged into the knockout rounds of the under-20 World Cup on Saturday with a 3-1 defeat of Colombia while Serbia also advanced after sending Mexico crashing out of the tournament.
What makes this edition of the contest important were a few more events that happened for the first time at Miss Universe.
One first glimpse of the scoreline we are made to believe that it was Germany's forwards that did all the hard work, but on closer dissection you may come to realise that that isn't the case. Even Germany coach Joachim Loew admitted that it was his backline that was the hero of the night.
Iceland will head into their maiden appearance in a major tournament devoid of stage fright, their coach Lars Lagerback and key players said ahead of Tuesday's Euro 2016 Group F clash with Portugal in St Etienne.
The top 10 most-capped players in men's soccer:
For the 31-year-old it is his last, and best, chance to claim the major title that has always eluded him and his country.
Portugal's Ministry of Justice, after considering request of India, had ordered extradition of Salem subject to conditions that he will be tried only in eight cases and that too on specific charges.
Mexico's World Cup warm-up against Portugal scheduled for May 30 has been cancelled due to a row between the two countries over accommodation at the finals in South Africa, the Mexican federation has said.
Portugal will have to pay an interest rate of 5.7 per cent on the loan from the EU and the IMF.
Ronaldo admitted that both of them changed the history of football and urged his fans to not hate on Messi.
