Summary

  • England have qualified for World Cup

  • FT: Scotland 1-0 Slovakia - late own goal from Skrtel

  • Dubravka made four superb saves, Scotland hit woodwork twice

  • Scotland deservedly keep World Cup hopes alive

  • FT: Northern Ireland 1-3 Germany

  • Rudy, Wagner & Kimmich for Germany, Magennis for NI

  1. LINE-UPSpublished at 18:48 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    England v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Here's that England XI in full:

    England team to play Slovenia at Wembley: Hart, Walker, Bertrand, Dier, Cahill, Stones, Sterling, Henderson, Kane, Rashford, Oxlade-Chamberlain.

  2. Team newspublished at 18:45 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    Northern Ireland v Germany (19:45 BST)

    Three changes for both sides following their last group matches.

    Northern Ireland bring in striker Kyle Lafferty for Conor Washington, while Gareth McAuley and Rangers defender Lee Hodson also start. Aaron Hughes and Stuart Dallas drop out.

    NI XI: McGovern, McLaughlin, McAuley, J Evans, Brunt, Norwood, Magennis, Davis, C Evans, Hodson, Lafferty.

    Germany give a start to Hertha Berlin left-back Marvin Plattenhardt in place of Jonas Hector. Former Manchester City defender Jerome Boateng and Leon Goretzka also start. Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger and Arsenal's Mesut Ozil miss out.

    Germany XI: Ter Stegen, Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Plattenhardt, Rudy, Kroos, Muller, Goretzka, Draxler, Werner.

  3. Three changes for Englandpublished at 18:44 British Summer Time 5 October 2017
    Breaking

    England v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    England make three changes from the win in Malta, Dele Alli is banned.

    In come Marcus Rashford, John Stones and Eric Dier.

  4. Cutting it finepublished at 18:43 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    England v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Gary Flintoff
    BBC Radio 5 live reporter at Wembley

    Slovenia have only just arrived at Wembley. They were due here about 30 minutes ago.

    One or two of the players have made their way onto the pitch for a look around.

  5. 'Not just Lewandowski'published at 18:42 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    Poland on their way

    John Bennett
    BBC World Service

    Poland could be celebrating World Cup qualification today. They’ll book their spot at Russia 2018 if they beat Armenia and Montenegro v Denmark is a draw.

    Polish international and Hoffenhiem midfielder Eugen Polanski has been speaking to BBC World Service about the quality of their team.

    Eugen POlanskiImage source, Getty Images

    “People only used to talk about Robert Lewandowski but now they talk about the team performance so I think this is the best quality that Poland has," he said. "They work as a team and everybody is important, younger players are getting a chance.

    "At Russia 2018 for a minimum they should be aiming to get through to the second round with a second placed finish in the groups. Lewandowski is a leader but not the type of leader some other team have. He’s not speaking a lot, he’s not talking every day to the press, he just concentrates on scoring goals."

    Err, Lewandowski has scored a hat-trick...

  6. Syria still in the mixpublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    Syria 1-1 Australia

    SyriaImage source, Getty Images

    Omar Al Somah scored a late penalty as Syria kept their 2018 World Cup hopes alive with a draw in the first leg of their play-off against Australia.

    In their previous match, striker Al Somah netted an injury-time equaliser against Iran as Syria finished third in their Asian qualifying group.

    He also converted the leveller in Malaysia - where Syria play their home games - after Robbie Kruse's opener.

    The return leg takes place in Sydney next Tuesday (kick-off 10:00 BST).

  7. 'Slovakia will play for a draw'published at 18:36 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    Scotland v Slovakia (19:45 BST)

    GriffithsImage source, Getty Images

    Former Scotland defender Willie Miller has warned the current team to expect a Slovakia side playing for a draw tonight.

    In their penultimate Group F fixture, the Scots need to beat the side currently occupying second place and a potential play-off berth.

    "They'll want a draw, I've no doubt about it that they'll play for a draw," said Miller.

    "We've got ourselves into a position of hope, but the hope rests on us winning the game.

    "When they get the ball, they'll hold on to it and they'll try to frustrate and turn the fans against Scotland.

    "It's up to the players to go out and try to dominate the game early."

  8. Another famous night?published at 18:34 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    Northern Ireland v Germany (19:45 BST)

    Alistair Bruce-Ball
    BBC Radio 5 live

    David HealyImage source, BBC Sport

    This is one of the images that greets you as you make your way round Windsor Park to the media entrance. David Healy's goal saw Northern Ireland beat Sven Goran Eriksson's England in September 2005 and a year later Healy scored a hat-trick in the 3-2 win against Spain. What price another famous night with a win against the world champions and the world's number one ranked team? If they manage it then Northern Ireland are guaranteed a place in the play-offs for Russia 2018.

  9. Who can make it?published at 18:33 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    Matt HollandImage source, Getty Images

    Hopes are between moderately and sky high for the home nations and the Republic of Ireland. But who can qualify?

    England have been to every World Cup since 1998, Scotland last appeared in those finals in France 19 years ago.

    Northern Ireland's last World Cup came in Mexico in 1986, while the Republic were last on the world stage in Japan and Korea in 2002.

    Wales haven't reached a finals since 1958.

  10. First and goalpublished at 18:33 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    England v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Gary Flintoff
    BBC Radio 5 live reporter at Wembley

    Wembley returns to being a football stadium tonight but the recent NFL games have left their mark. If you look carefully, you can still see the markings on the pitch and the end zones behind each of the goals!

    WembleyImage source, Rex Features
  11. 'We have to be realistic'published at 18:31 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    Northern Ireland v Germany (19:45 BST)

    Germany goalImage source, Getty Images

    Michael O'Neill says Northern Ireland must adopt a conservative approach against Germany, with his team on the cusp of the World Cup play-offs.

    Northern Ireland are assured of second place in Group C but a heavy defeat at home on Thursday could affect their seeding should they make the play-offs.

    O'Neill's side are hovering around the cut-off point for being seeded but a big loss could affect their ranking.

    "People say, 'Go and attack', if we do that we would get beat," O'Neill said.

    "We would get beaten because they have better players. We have to be realistic.

    "The biggest thing is to set a team up that's difficult to beat. Players believe they can win from that platform."

  12. 'Germany have depth in every position'published at 18:29 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    Northern Ireland v Germany (19:45 BST)

    Gerry Armstrong
    Former Northern Ireland International on BBC Radio 5 live

    I am excited. I am looking forward to the game and there should be a fantastic atmosphere. It is a massive game for both teams.

    We have beaten Germany here before, 35 years ago. Germany have never lost away from home in a World Cup qualifier though.

    If we lose two or three key players we do not have the same quality to bring into the squad but the players have great belief and great confidence.

    I have high expectations. I would probably take a draw but we will have to work tremendously hard to get even that

  13. Bannan startspublished at 18:28 British Summer Time 5 October 2017
    Breaking

    Scotland v Slovakia (19:45 BST)

    Gordon Strachan was singing his praises yesterday, and Sheffield Wednesday playmaker Barry Bannan starts for the Scots.

    He is one of three changes from the win over Malta. In come Darren Fletcher (as captain) and James Morrison.

  14. Postpublished at 18:25 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    'Turned it down.' Sure.

  15. Turning down the beerpublished at 18:25 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    Northern Ireland v Germany (19:45 BST)

    Alistair Bruce-Ball
    BBC Radio 5 live

    I've never seen the press room busier at Windsor Park, such is the interest in this game, and I've even been offered a complimentary pint of beer ahead of kick-off but sadly had to turn it down due to broadcasting duties.

    I've also been speaking to former Northern Ireland striker Gerry Armstrong who reminded me that his team remain the only side to beat Germany, then West Germany, home and away in a qualifying campaign. Sadly it didn't get them to the Euros in 1984 because they lost in Turkey and Austria and finished behind the Germans on goal difference.

  16. Keep it Spursypublished at 18:24 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    England v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Harry KaneImage source, Getty Images
    • Seven of England’s last nine goals have either been scored or assisted by Tottenham players.
    • Harry Kane is England’s top scorer under Gareth Southgate with five goals; more than twice as many as any of his teammates.
  17. What do England need?published at 18:20 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    England v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Group FImage source, BBC Sport

    Unbeaten England, with six wins and two draws, comfortably lead Group F and are poised to qualify automatically. They require one win, or two draws, or just a single point if second-placed Slovakia do not win both their matches.

  18. Who else is playing tonight?published at 18:17 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    As well as the British nations, there are a number of World Cup qualifying matches taking place across Europe.

    Brazil, who have already qualified, are in action against Bolivia in the South American qualifiers from 21:00 BST, while Venezuela host Uruguay an hour later.

    .Image source, Getty Images
  19. MON signs onpublished at 18:16 British Summer Time 5 October 2017
    Breaking

    News just in from the Republic of Ireland camp - they play Moldova tomorrow - Martin O'Neill has agreed a contract extension and will continue as the Republic of Ireland manager for the Euro 2020 campaign.

  20. What do Scotland need?published at 18:15 British Summer Time 5 October 2017

    Scotland v Slovakia (19:45 BST)

    With just four points from their first four matches, few were rushing to back Scotland to reach Russia.

    But victory over Slovenia, a draw with England and wins against Lithuania and Malta have put them back in the hunt for a first World Cup appearance since 1998.

    Scotland could reach the play-offs by winning their final two matches, but defeat by Slovakia will end their hopes. Realistically, they need to beat Slovakia, because they will surely take maximum points in their final match at home to Malta.

    Group FImage source, BBC Sport