World Cup Qualifiers Weekend Recap

France-Egypt-Portugal-Russia Victorious Over Weekend

Algeria V Egypt (0:2)

Portgual V Bosnia (1:0)

France V Ireland (1:0)

Russia V Slovenia (2:1)

The World Cup Qualifiers are proving to be a thrilling and exciting time for international football players and fans alike. With only a few spots left to qualify for next summer's tournament in South Africa, teams are stepping up on the world's stage and fighting for their place in next summers World Cup.

First up? One of the hottest games of the weekend; France Vs. Ireland. The game ended in a 1:0 victory to Les Bleus with help from a deflected strike from Nicolas Anelka. The shot, which glanced off an Irish defender and then the post before finding its way into the net was surely a moment of relief for the French after a shaky showing. France is now left in firm control and look to win or hold the Irish to a draw at home to secure their place in South Africa next summer.

Next was the much anticipated and highly fueled game between Algeria and Egypt, which has been accurately named "The Hate Match". This game has been drawing attention globally because of its violently charged environment. Starting early last Thursday,  Egyptian fans welcomed the Algerian team with a mob attack on the bus, throwing stones and bricks at the Algerian's bus in Cairo's airport, injuring 3 players. The 2-0 Egyptian victory was exactly what the Pharaohs needed to put themselves on level terms with their North African rivals. The violence prior and following the game has forced FIFA to move Wednesday's second leg to a neutral location in Egypt's neighbor of Sudan.

Struggling Portugal were lucky to escape with a slender 1-0 victory, in which Bosnia hit the post on 3 separate occasions. Without Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese seem to be missing the creativity and offensive drive they possess when the FIFA world player of the year is present. The Portuguese head into the second leg looking to keep the Bosnians on equal terms to secure a place in their third consecutive World Cup.

And finally, Russia's Diniyar Bilyaletdinov found the back of the net twice to help put Russia one step closer to World Cup glory. Their Slovenian opponents showed little attacking force until the dying minutes in which substitute Nejc Pecnik headed home a valuable away goal for the Slovenians. The return leg will prove to be exciting, being that Slovenia only need a 1-0 win at home to secure a World Cup birth, thanks to the away goals rule.