No rest in November

Most European teams went into hibernation after the November matches in which Portugal pummelled world champions Spain 4-0 in Lisbon. Belgium were 2-0 winners in Russia, and England were beaten 2-1 by France at Wembley while Slovenia lost by the same result at home to Georgia. Haiti triumphed 1-0 in Qatar and Belarus returned from Oman with a 4-0 victory. In an African friendly Zimbabwe won 3-1 away to Mozambique while Togo were held to a goalless draw at home to Chad in a Cup of Nations qualifier.

Earlier the Caribbean qualifier group stage continued to its conclusion causing several big moves in the rankings. Hosts of group D the Dominican Republic tore the British Virgin Islands apart 17-0 but went out after losing 1-0 to Dominica who had put 10 past the hapless Virgin Islanders. Guyana shocked group C hosts Suriname with a 2-0 win to finish above them, though both teams progressed to the next round. There were further shocks in the next round with Guadeloupe defeating Puerto Rico 3-2 and beating group E hosts Grenada 3-0 to finish top. Guyana held Haiti to a goalless draw to progress with group F hosts Trinidad & Tobago. In the same region Cuba cruised 3-0 past Panama in an away friendly. The final stage of the Caribbean Cup will take place November 26^th – December 5^th in Martinique.