ADVERTISEMENTWelcome back to The Corner, our weekly trip around the world of football.
With the domestic leagues on break, the international sides took over in Euro 2016 qualifying.
In our top story today, we look at three European minnows who punched well above their weight.
Liechtenstein celebrated their first competitive win in three years after beating Moldova 1-0 their Euro 2016 qualifier.
Franz Burgmeier proved to be the hero, hitting home the winner on 74 minutes.
It was the nation’s first competitive win since beating Lithuania in 2011 and their first away victory since thrashing Luxembourg in a World Cup qualifier ten years ago.
Ranked 187th among 208 nations in FIFA, the Faroe Islands stunned 2004 champions Greece for only their third win in 19 years of European qualifying.
Joan Edmundsson scored the only goal in the 61st minute – firing his side to a sensational victory.
While Greece continued its disastrous run the Faroe Islands players held back the tears to celebrate their first win since beating Estonia in 2011.
San Marino meanwhile ended a 61-international-game losing streak when they played out a goalless stalemate with Estonia in their qualifier.
The win represented the country’s first point in European Championship qualifying history.
Up and Down
Our ‘‘Up & Down’‘ list this week is dedicated to the protagonists of the most recent round of European qualifying.
Cristiano Ronaldo makes the up list. The Portugal forward became the record goalscorer in European Championship football following a 1-0 win in Group I.
The Real Madrid hitman took his European goal scoring tally to 23,surpassing Denmark’s Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Claudio Ranieri falls onto the down – and out – list after the Italian was sacked as coach of Greece following their shock one nil defeat to the Faroe Islands.
The former Chelsea boss presided over three defeats and a draw in Euro qualifying after taking the job in July.
Also on the down is Dick Advocaat who has quit his job as Serbia Coach following a poor string of results.
ADVERTISEMENTThe Dutchman was appointed in July with the team picking up just one point from their opening three Group I games.
He stepped down a day after Serbia lost their European Qualifier to Denmark 3-1.
Serbia next play Greece in a friendly on Tuesday with both sides looking to bounce back to life and winning ways.
On this day
On this day 21 years ago, France fell at the final hurdle, failing to qualify for the World Cup – their last failure at this level. But, which nation dealt the hammer blow?
ADVERTISEMENTOn 17 November 1993, a very late goal helped Bulgaria upset France in a World Cup qualifier in Paris, to earn their place in the tournament and eliminate the hosts.
It was the last match of their qualification group. Sweden had already secured the top spot, leaving only one more ticket to the World Cup up for grabs. France started the day in second, one point ahead of third-place Bulgaria, and needed only a draw to advance.
The match remained level at 1-1 until deep in the second half. In the last few seconds of the 90th minute, though, the Bulgarian Kostadinov scored the 1-2, putting his Country in the World Cup and leaving France out.
We might be wrong
Next weekend the european domestic leagues return to action and we have had a go at predicting three matches from across the continent. Don’t foget to send us your predictions, via the social networks, using #TheCornerScores.
ADVERTISEMENTArsenal 1-2 Manchester United
AC Milan 0-0 Inter
Marseille 1-2 Bordeaux