Bulgaria captain Dimitar Berbatov is threatening to quit international football. It could spell good news for Ireland's hopes of World Cup qualification as manager Plamen Markov is also under increasing pressure following a 6-1 loss to Serbia in Belgrade last night. Berbatov was taken off in the first half apparently due to injury but his agent now claims he may opt out in future.

Bulgaria have been struggling in Group 8 of the World Cup qualifiers - still without a win their next game is in Dublin next March. Seven games into his reign - Giovanni Trapattoni's unbeaten run came to an end with a 3-2 loss to Poland at Croke Park last night. The Irish goals coming from a Stephen Hunt penalty and a Keith Andrews strike but it was too little too late.

Elsewhere England centre halves John Terry and Matthew Upson both scored in their 2-1 win in Germany, Scotland went down 1-0 at home to Argentina, Craig Bellamy scored the only goal as Wales were 1-0 winners in Denmark while Northern Ireland went down 2-0 against Hungary in Belfast.