Although the major leagues may be on a temporary hiatus, there has still been plenty of football to keep us busy over the past week. Stories of heartbreak and triumph were everywhere as nations fought for the right to play in the 2018 World Cup. Here are the best stories from the week that was in football! (In 140 characters or less)
The World Cup qualifiers kicked off with plenty of intrigue, as Argentina cast further doubts over their hopes of making it to Russia.
FIFA checking the rule book for a loop hole in case Argentina doesn't qualify for the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/SxgKeqSKmN
— Hector (@Hec18) October 6, 2017
Fortunes were better for other nations however. Egypt were the talk of the town as they qualified for the World Cup for the first time in nearly three decades, although not without a late scare and a little bit of Mo Salah magic.
Salah's reaction when Congo scored the equaliser today is passion personified. pic.twitter.com/PxenUMQ7mn
— AnfieldNation (@AnfieldNation) October 8, 2017
90+5' to send your country to the World Cup. Step up Mo Salah
( via @abdullahgarbeed) pic.twitter.com/SXzw7O4tgE
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 8, 2017
Check out the scenes in Cairo after Mo Salah's penalty winner for Egypt!
Football: More than a game
@Ali98pic.twitter.com/xOnzuRjDwp
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) October 10, 2017
مبروك لمصر World Cup Here We Come pic.twitter.com/nIn5B15jyV
— Mohamed ELNeny (@ElNennyM) October 9, 2017
While one Liverpool man was making headlines, another decided he also wanted to be talked about this week.
Oh & while we're all buzzing about Salah, Emre Can did this tonight pic.twitter.com/de0foyKYIy
— AnfieldNation (@AnfieldNation) October 8, 2017
Fan favourites Iceland were another side that also impressed, making history by qualifying for their first ever World Cup tournament.
Congratulations Gylfi! Iceland have qualified for their first ever World Cup. The Blues midfielder was on tonight's scoresheet. pic.twitter.com/SWwqmTqNPw
— Everton (@Everton) October 9, 2017
Iceland, population 334,000, become the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup - and the only one with fewer than 1m people. pic.twitter.com/vTZTxl532n
— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) October 9, 2017
Iceland becomes the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup
The Viking Clap. Goosebumps everytime pic.twitter.com/T6a8BjDdwR
— World Cup 2018 (@WorIdCupFC) October 9, 2017
A couple of debutantes also helped England book their ticket to Russia , albeit in less than convincing fashion.
Qualification complete pic.twitter.com/FscyeObQ4H
— England (@England) October 8, 2017
Very proud to have made my @England debut. It's a great honour to represent my country, something I dreamt about when I was a kid. pic.twitter.com/rINeCbeiH0
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) October 8, 2017
Sweden also had a decent week, putting 8 past Luxembourg in their match, not that Dick Advocaat would believe it.
Advocaat got the question last week: What if Sweden v Luxembourg ends 8-0 ??
He answered: They won't win 8-0, stupid question. Impossible pic.twitter.com/K98fDo3N2y
— Tipster From Holland (@FootballTipsNL) October 7, 2017
The week also saw a couple of nations make their way into playoff spots, with Australia taking their sweet time to book their opportunity to make a fourth straight World Cup.
YEEESSSS!!! What a performance from Martin O'Neill's team! #COYBIGpic.twitter.com/VDqg6ZkymA
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) October 9, 2017
This guy was 19 years old at the start of #AUSvSYRpic.twitter.com/Q4AsWGToc9
— Danama Papers (@DanielGulberry) October 10, 2017
So when all is said and done, here are the sides that will be playing of in Russia for World Cup Glory. The question now is, who else will join this list?
#WorldCup line-up, so far:
RUS
BRA
IRN
JPN
MEX
BEL
KOR
KSA
GER
ENG
ESP
NGA
CRC
POL
EGY
ISL
SRB
17/32
— #WCQ (@FIFAWorldCup) October 9, 2017
And that was your last 7 days of football! (In 140 characters or less)
