The first legs of the European World Cup play-offs took place yesterday (Saturday) and Russia, Portugal and France all take slender advantages into their second legs.

Portugal managed to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 in Lisbon in their first leg.  With Cristiano Ronaldo ruled out of the tie through injury the Portuguese had to rely on the likes of Simao Sabrosa, Liedson and Deco for their creative spark but all three were guilt of below-par performances.  It was Manchester United winger Nani who created the spark for Portugal’s only goal – his cross was headed home by Bruno Alves in the 31st minute. 

Before the home side opened the scoring Bosnia had been happy to defend but after going behind they carved out some great chances and were unlucky not to level matters.  They rattled the woodwork four times in search of an equaliser and they should go into the second leg on home soil in full-confidence.

The stand-out tie when the fixtures were drawn was the Republic of Ireland’s play-off with France.  Last night’s game at Croke Park was a fairly cautious affair in all honesty with the French dominating possession though chances for both sides were few and far between.  The Irish nearly opened the scoring through Stoke City’s Liam Lawrence but his shot was diverted past the post after a crucial block from Patrice Evra.  The French managed to force a breakthrough in the second-half when Nicolas Anelka’s shot was deflected beyond Shay Given.  Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni remains confident his side can emerge victorious after the second leg in Paris on Wednesday but it will be a massive task for the Irish and the French have to be considered firm-favourites with their one goal advantage to reach the World Cup next summer.

Russia managed to take the advantage in their play-off with Slovenia by beating them 2-1 in Russia.  Everton winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov got both goals for Russia who were made to work hard by the visitors. Slovenia managed to halve the deficit with just two minutes of normal time remaining thanks to substitute Nejc Pecnik who grabbed a vital away goal.  Pecnik’s strike does give Slovenia a great chance to cause an upset ahead of the second leg in Maribor.

The tie between Greece and the Ukraine in Athens ended goalless, meaning the Ukraine should probably now be considered favourites with home advantage for the second leg.  It was a tight affair between the two sides and despite good chances for Greece’s Theofanis Gekas and the Ukraine’s Ruslan Rotan neither side could break the deadlock. 

The second legs take place on Wednesday with France, Bosnia, Ukraine and Slovenia enjoying home advantage.

Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer promoting horse racing Ireland and the Grand National 2010 for Betfair.

Argentine ace and Barcelona star Lionel Messi has had quite a year.  After leading Barcelona to an unprecedented treble in the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Ray he is now up for both the Ballon d’Or (European footballer of the year) and the equally prestigious FIFA World Player of the Year.

Last year Messi was beaten to both awards by Portuguese ace Cristiano Ronaldo, then at Manchester United.  Chosing between the two stars is an almost impossible task in all honesty but for me personally Messi just about edges it and he is the favourite for both awards this time round.  After playing a massive part in Barcelona’s success it would be scandalous if he didn’t win one of the awards, if not both.  Ronaldo may have made the mega-money move to Real Madrid and he too enjoyed a fantastic season, but perhaps not quite as fantastic as the campaign he enjoyed when he lifted both awards.

Anyway, here are the shortlists of nominations for both awards.

FIFA World Player of the Year (23 players):

Michael Ballack (Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Diego (Brazil), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast),

Michael Essien (Ghana), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Steven Gerrard (England), Thierry Henry (France), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Kaka (Brazil), Frank Lampard (England), Luis Fabiano (Brazil),

Lionel Messi (Argentina), Carles Puyol (Spain), Franck Ribery (France), Wayne Rooney (England), John Terry (England), Fernando Torres (Spain), David Villa (Spain), Xavi (Spain).

The Ballon d’Or (European footballer of the year – 30 players):

Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona),

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Kaka (Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Maicon (Inter Milan), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), David Villa (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona),

Yaya Toure (Barcelona) Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Diego (Juventus), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg), Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal).

The winner of the Ballon d’Or will be announced on December 1, while the winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year will be announced on December 21.

The majority of these players will be on display at next summer’s World Cup in South Africa.  The French contingent still have to get through a play-off with the Irish, which is by no means a done deal.  Portugal face the relatively unknown quantity of Bosnia-Herzegovina in their own play-off so Ronaldo may not make the tournament in South Africa if the Bosnians pull off an upset.  I wouldn’t dismiss Bosnia either in fairness, they have their own stars such as Edin Dzeko (a fellow Ballon d’Or nominee) amongst others and they will put up a decent fight.  Messi will certainly be at the tournament, and that can only be a good thing for the spectator.

Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer who provides World Cup 2010 betting news for Betfair.