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Diego Maradona celebrates Argentina making through to the 2010 World Cup - Source: Reuters -
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This week the universe went World Cup crazy as the final qualification, and play-off places for South Africa 2010 were decided.
This week, Italy, Greece, Slovaki, Bulgaria and Germany joined the likes of Spain, Australia and Brazil in qualifying for the football world's biggest stage.
Meanwhile, Diego Jammie-dona was pulled out of the mire by youngster Mario Bolatti's late goal which gave the Argentines a 1-0 win over a ten-man Uruguay on Thursday to send the side into the finals.
After the clash, the ever humble Maradona let rip on his critics saying:
"For those who didn't believe in this team, for those who treated me like s***, today we are in the World Cup."
And now the football world can relax with news that the entirely ineffectual (in an Argentina shirt) Leo Messi WILL go to the World Cup after all!
After a dodgy start to their qualifying campaign Portugal gave Nani more excuses to do impressive backflips as they cruised into the playoffs with wins over Hungary and Malta.
France, Ireland and Russia also reached the playoff stage of qualifications , while the New Zealand All Whites brought back a goalless draw from Bahrain , giving the Kiwis a real chance to reach their first World Cup since 1982 when the host the Arabian side in Wellington on November 14th.
Bend it like Obama?
England meanwhile bounced back from their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Ukraine by smashing Belarus 3-0.
The win came courtesy of one goal Wright-Phillips and two goal Peter Crouch.
Which you will have to watch HERE!
before a newly (weirdly) bearded David Beckham was likened to Nobel Peace prize-winning President Barack Obama off of Washington by Three Lions boss Fabio Capello when he received the Man O' the Match award after being on the pitch for a mere 30 minutes.
"I was surprised," a smiling Capello said as hacks all over the world licked their lips (and Ferdinand under-fire breathed a sigh of relief because people now have something apart from his crap defending to talk about)
"For 30 minutes? It's like Obama winning the Nobel Prize after just nine months as the President of the United States."
Warnock's googly eyes save Rafa
Meanwhile, in other stuff Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez escaped FA sanction for his well worn 'should ave gone to SpecSavers' rant in response to Phil Dowd's refereing during Liverpool's loss to Spurs at the beginning of the season, by using a picture of Neil Warnock making well worse googly eyes at ref Rob Shoebridge as his defence.
One manager who might not, but probably will get away with mocking ref's is United boss Alex Ferguson, whose comments about the fitness of Alan Wiley refuse to go away.
Even the Scot's apology in which he said:
"I apologise to Mr Wiley for any personal embarrassment that my remarks may have caused and to the FA for going public with my views."
"My only intention in speaking publicly, was to highlight what I believe to be a serious and important issue in the game, namely that the fitness levels of referees must match the ever increasing demands of the modern game, which I hope will now be properly addressed through the appropriate formal channels,"
(Which otherwise translates to, "I'm sorry that while I may be able to bend time most of the time, I failed to make Alan Wiley run faster and/or add extra time that allowed us to win the game.")
Was deemed to be 'half-hearted' and Ferguson is due to write a letter to the FA this week before appealing to avoid punishment.
Oddly Bolton boss Gary Megson, who side is set to get beat at Old Trafford this weekend has leapt to the defence of Sir Ferg , saying he (Sir Ferg) "Couldn't have done any more. He gets hung out to dry because of who he is. He has apologised and then everyone criticised the apology."
OTHER STUFF
North Queensland Fury have rubbished rumors that Robbie Fowler will leave sunny Australia for er, Tramere after John Barnes was sacked, again.
David Beckham is close to resigning for Milan (Yawn)
Rafa Benitez is going mad after Steven Gerrard came back injured from England duty and may now miss the sides crucial clashes with Sunderland , Lyon and Manchester United.
Listen to this weeks TalkFootball podcast where ONE Sport's Craig Stanaway and I discuss the All Whites + other football stuff.
'Arry Redknapp WILL NOT take SAS style bodyguards to Portsmouth when Tottenham take on the bottom dwellers this weekend, instead Spurs boss Redknapp plans to beat the boo-boys by insisting he will walk out with his "head held high."
In an odd football-transfer-triangle, Manchester City, who want to buy Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun, will join the race to sign Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas , who is also wanted by Barcelona, but Barcelona also want to sign Manchester City's Robinho, who has said he would welcome the move.
Look at this AMAZIN header
Notts County have issued a statement informing the world that they have sacked Ian McParland, for having the temerity to drop points at home to Torquay.
Birmingham City will have more money to spend in the January transfer window after becoming the latest club to be taken-over.
Dimitar Berbatov celebrated his hat-trick over Georgia with the birth of a bouncing baby girl , awwww.
AND FINALLY
C.Ron voodoo curse mystery deepens
Although Portugal made it to the World Cup playoffs this week, they did have to do this without the help of injured star winker and our Sports Hottie O' the week Ronaldo, whose reported curse placed on him by a Voodoo Priest a couple of weeks ago seems to be working.
According to the priest, Ronaldo won't die or anything, but he will spend more time "off the pitch" than "on it".
Saying that, if man O' many talents Ron is forced to take time off of football, he could always turn his hand at becoming a popstar!
LISTEN and laugh at C-RON sing
HERE!
What were your hits and misses of the football week?
Have your say below.....!
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