After a weekend when football stood in solidarity with the victims of the Paris terror attacks, including those at the France-Germany friendly at Stade de France, notable results from an overshadowed round of internationals included a 2-0 win for Spain over England, while the world No 1-ranked side Belgium beat Italy 3-1. Few footballing nations feel the burden of former greatness as much as Hungary, who ended a 30-year tournament absence by qualifying for Euro 2016 via a 3-1 aggregate play-off victory over Norway. Also qualified are the Republic of Ireland, who beat Bosnia 3-1 on aggregate to seal their place in the finals.
Rosberg’s meaningless win
Another day, another meaningless grand prix victory for Nico Rosberg, the Mercedes driver who saw his team-mate Lewis Hamilton seal the Formula One drivers’ title last month. Victory in Brazil in a race he controlled from start to finish did at least guarantee Rosberg second place in the standings after his earlier win in Mexico. Hamilton, meanwhile, denied suggestions he had already hit the beach mentally: “I came here with the same fire and desire to win this race as I’ve had all year,” the Briton said. “I just didn’t do the job in qualifying.”
Racing’s respects for Eddery
British horse racing paid its respects to Pat Eddery, one of the great names of the turf, who died last week aged 63. The 11-times champion jockey rode more than 4,600 winners up to his retirement in 2003, during a golden period for British flat racing. “He spanned the greatest era for jockeys ever,” said Lord Grimthorpe, the racing manager for Khalid Abdullah in whose green, pink and white colours Eddery achieved some of his greatest triumphs. “Lester Piggott, Steve Cauthen, Willie Carson, all were exceptional yet Pat’s ability was unquestioned.”
England get better of Kiwis
England’s rugby league side served up a predictably nerve-jangling finale but held on for a 20-14 win over New Zealand in the third Test at Wigan to clinch the series 2-1. Leading 20-6 with six minutes to play, the home side suffered a mini-implosion but ultimately dug in to retain the splendidly titled Baskerville Shield. “They’re the No 1 team in the world,” the England coach Steve McNamara said of the Kiwis. “To go toe-to-toe with them has been hugely pleasing and it’s even better to get the result.”
NFL record for Manning
A four-yard pass to team-mate Ronnie Hillman was all it took for the Denver Broncos’ Peyton Manning to confirm his place as the greatest quarterback in American football history. In last Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Manning passed the previous career passing record of 71,838 yards held by Green Bay’s Brett Favre. That, however, was as good as it got for the 39-year-old, who suffered the indignity of being benched after throwing four interceptions as the Chiefs ran out 29-13 winners.
