Germany 1-2 Brazil

Angus Loughrun reports from Stuttgart (1'22')

World champions Brazil had an explosive encounter with European champions Germany. Both sides had a player sent off. It required a piece of Ronaldo magic two minutes from time to separate the teams.

Switzerland 1-1 England

Glen Hoddle was forced through injury to field an unfamiliar line-up. Even so, the England side seemed tired and short of ideas. Paul Merson cancelled out a first half header from Ramon Vega. Commentators said the game was very dull.

Wales 0-0 Jamaica

Ron Jones reports from Ninian Park (42')

Jamaica's Reggae Boyz had Onandi Lowe sent off late in the second half, but hung on for a 0-0 draw with Wales on a very wet night in Cardiff. Gareth Taylor missed three good scoring chances in the first half for the home side.

Belgium 2-2 Norway

It was down to Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to prevent Norway going down to their first defeat in two years. He used his speed and cool to earn the draw in Brussels, on a night when both countries fielded makeshift and experimental teams.

Russia 1-0 France

The Russians scored their winner just three minutes into the game when Sergei Yuran took advantage of a weak French defence and shot past goalkeeper Lionel Letizi. Chelsea's Frank Leboeuf went off with a leg injury and could be doubtful for Sunday's Coca Cola Cup Final.

Scotland 0-1 Denmark

Brian Laudrup, who plays for Glasgow Rangers, scored on his home ground at Ibrox to give Denmark a narrow victory over Scotalnd. The home side's best chance fell to Darren Jackson, but he put his header over the crossbar.

Northern Ireland 1-0 Slovakia

Peter Slater reports from Windsor Park (53')

New manager Lawrie McNenemy got a standing ovation from the Irish crowd after his side's home victory. The goal came in the second half from captain Steve Lomas. But the result means little because neither side qualified for the World Cup.

Macedonia 1-0 Bulgaria

It was the English based player Gjorgi Hristov who grabbed the winner in the 40th minute. The Macedonians will not be in France, but the victory provides a welcome psychological boost as they prepare for Euro 2000 and a tough qualifying group which includes Yugoslavia, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland.

Hungary 3-2 Austria

Austria put out an experimental side and payed the price. Coach Herbert Prohaska took out playmakers Dietmar Kuehbauer and Andreas Herzog during the match and replaced them with less experienced squad members. The logic of the tactics was lost on 20,000 Austrian fans who booed at the closing whistle.

Colombia 0-0 Yugoslavia

Colombia and Yugoslavia played to a scoreless draw in a lively friendly that was part of each nation's preparations for the 1998 World Cup. The hosts, who were one man down for 50 minutes, withstood a bombardment from the visitors. It was Colombia's fourth game in succession without a goal.
 

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