Slovenia and Portugal book their 2010 World Cup place
The excitement of the play-offs means that there is a lot for any football fan to keep their eye on.
Algeria and Greece got the party started by triumphing in the two early kick-offs but the three remaining European play-offs were kicking off around the same time, causing armchair fans to flick between the three games.
Slovenia, although defeated in Russia in the first leg, gained a psychological advantage by notching an away goal in the dying minutes on Saturday, Turning a 2-0 loss into a 2-1 defeat makes a huge difference in the two-legged system and so it proved in Slovenia.
Within half an hour Dedic did just about enough to prod the ball home and suddenly, Slovenia were in the driving seat. The aggregate score was tied at 2-2 but that late goal in Russia proved to be the difference between the teams.
At half-time, many were predicting that Guus Hiddink would be able to revitalise his Russian team but Slovenia were never troubled too much.
A red card for substitute Alexander Kerzhakov seemed to place the final nail in Russia’s coffin and Slovenia saw the remainder of the game in relative comfort, even more so after the Russians slipped to 9 men.
Even though one Russian goal would have changed it all, it never materialised and Slovenian fans will be celebrating long into the night and excitedly looking for ways to get to South Africa.
The outcome of the Portugal and Bosnia and Herzegovina match may have been less exciting but don’t tell that to the Portuguese fans.
A poor qualifying campaign saw many people write off the Portuguese and a slim 1-0 lead was not going to be an insurmountable challenge to the Bosnian and Herzegovina unit.
It was 0-0 at half time but not too long into the second half, Meireles struck to give Portugal a 2-0 lead and place them on relatively easy street.
This away strike was crucial as it meant the Portuguese would need to ship three goals to be denied of their trip to South Africa and this never looked like happening.
Sighs of relief in Madrid and Fifa headquarters will be heard at the fact that Ronaldo will be present at the World Cup but for now, fans of Portugal and Slovenia will just want to celebrate.
The final list of teams for next summers World Cup is nearly complete.
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