they beat malta at hampden park. high fives for northern ireland, five wins in a row secures second and almost certainly a play—off spot. hello there, we've had a home nations hatrick tonight, details coming up of the wins at hampden park and windsor park in a moment. it was no walk in the park for england at wembley but another victory means that they now need just two points from their last two world cup qualifying matches next month to be sure that they are in russia next summer. let's speak to our sports correspondent natalie pirks who is at wembley. evening, natalie. it was another one of those matches, wasn't it? gareth southgate said they are a work in progress and there is plenty still needed but this was an improvement on the malta game last week. it was a huge improvement on malta last week, specifically the second half. in the first half there were still some of those jitters and mistakes. we saw that very early on. gareth southgate asked for a performance that would get wembley off its feet, and they cert

we'll have the latest ahead of tonight's world cup qualifiers at wembley and hampden park.ll be looking ahead to northern ireland's game against the czech republic as michael o'neill's men try and earn themselves a place in the play—offs. try and earn themselves a place in the play-offs. and it is getting serious at the us open, the latest from flushing meadows with quarterfinal places at stake... hello and welcome to sportsday, a really busy night of football ahead. three home nations in qualifying action — england, scotland and northern ireland, and though none of them can actually book a place at the world cup tonight, some very important steps can be taken towards russia, let's cross live to wembley where it's first against second in group f — a win for england against slovakia will take them to the brink of qualification. our sports correspondent natalie pirks is there for us... england against slovakia, you were in malta on friday, they laboured to that flattering win and gareth southgate knows that slovakia can be tough as well? they really know that they have too. t

scotland face malta at hampden park. republic will guarantee second in their group and the likely play—off spot for russia. and that the us open, the world number one has reached the quarterfinals after a straight sets win againstjennifer brady. roger federer and rafa nadal play later. downing street says the prime minister is ready to increase the pace of brexit negotiations — suggesting they should be continuous rather than for one week every month. mps also this week begin debating draft legislation on withdrawing from the european union. the bill, which is seen as a key plank of the government's brexit policy, transfers eu law into uk legislation. our political correspondent iain watson is at westminster:

they play malta at hampden park, 4 points behind slovakia and that play—off spot.ns and most of the press would understand how important this game is going to be and real patience, keep the ball and doing nothing. be patient to go and find areas where they play at high tempo. northern ireland need just a draw tonight to guarantee second place in group c, and that probably be good enough for a play—off match to get to russia. germany are the run away leaders in their group. after beating san marino 3—0 away, they'll have it much tougher at home to the czech republic. it will be a really difficult test, but one we're ready for. uefa have resisted requests from the spanish league that they open an investigation into manchester city for breaking their financial fair play rules. city's summer spend of £215 million was the biggest by any club in any transfer window with pep guardiola signing the likes of kyle walker and benjamin mendy. european football's governing body is already investigating paris st—germain over rules designed to stop clubs from what they describe as

they beat malta at hampden park. they beat malta at hampden park.public. group leaders germany are next up. we don't fear anybody coming here, things will change. i'm sure there will be a lot of big teams at the play—off places. we will prepare as best we can. what will prepare as best we can. what will be will be. but we don't fear anyone. we fancy ourselves to compete and win games in belfast. we have shown, especially away from home, but we are capable of getting results away from home as well. it is not likely in a good situation but it's not an easy one. two wins out of two fair england, scotland and northern ireland in its international break. slight wales will look to follow suit. they beat austria 1 million cardiff. gareth bale and his team—mates are behind the republic of ireland, they play each other tonight. a chance for wales to make up some ground. we have four finals to keep our hopes alive. if we win all four we have a great chance of being top, if not into the play—offs. 0ne down, three to go. this is still important. we will be goin

night, is very easy win for scotland, christophe berra and leigh griffiths got the gold is at hampden parkcots finish second and a chance of making the play—offs. it is in their hands. it is very complicated as to how... you finish second and get into the play—offs or not. we know northern ireland have finished second in group c, getting the runners—up spot, making it five in a row in qualifying. they should be one of the best runners—up or two games to play, jonny evans and chris brunt got the goals, a lovely free kick seeing them beat the czech republic last night. it has been two years since they conceded a competitive goal at windsor park. that will be tested against germany next month, but as i say they are sure to finish second. germany coming here, it would be nice to take an extra point. if we need something in the final two games we will have to get it, that simple. we are in a very strong position, it is almost —— almost been flawless, to be honest. seven clean sheets in eight games, the only defeat away to germany. as a coach and manager there is little you can ask more from you

need as they look to make up ground on second place, but they are doing what they have to do at hampden parkope that england do them a favour. northern ireland can seal second spot in theirgroup, which should guarantee them a place in the play—offs. they need to avoid defeat in belfast tonight against czech republic. and half an hour into the game, they are in front. jonny evans were the only goal so farfor northern jonny evans were the only goal so far for northern ireland, jonny evans were the only goal so farfor northern ireland, and they've only lost once in their last 13 games at home. goals everywhere, but england trailing. england have gone for experience in their one—day and t20 squads to face the west indies later this month — with surrey‘s tom curran the only new face in the 50—over squad. one notable absentee is durham fast bowler mark wood, who is still trying to regain fitness after missing much of the summer with a heel injury. there's a one—off t20 match before a five—match 50—over series. top seed rafa nadal is into the quarter—finals at the us open at flushing meadows after

it was a good night for scotland at hampden park.st slovakia and slovenia they can qualify for the world cup via the play—offs. russia's andrei rublev has become the first teenager since 2001 to reach the quarter—finals of the us open after he beat belgium's ninth seed david goffin. he now faces his childhood hero, rafa nadal. imean, his i mean, his proper hero. 0ne i mean, his proper hero. one of the reasons he wanted to play tennis, one of the people who made him want to start tennis. he has to play him next. just get out there and beat him. that's the way to do it. yes, easy! let's catch up with the weather. sarah, it feels warm, but weather. sarah, it feels warm, but we already have rain? yes, that's right. a mild start to the day, but it is quite damp out there. lots of cloud about despite there. lots of cloud about despite the muggy field to the weather. through the day, things should improve. look at the temperatures at the moment. 16 or 17 before the sun comes up. the moment. 16 or 17 before the sun comes up. so it should fee

parking lot. we know would love so many of them. and certainly because we need their facilities, too. we couldn't think at hampden and all the team at wfbn, the manager and the whole team. we couldn't do it with do it without seven news in south florida. what a service they provide to the rest of south florida. so proud to have been on our affiliate team. tara is with his writing up a storm and coral springs. how are you doing, terror? >> we are doing well. we lost power. trade you this morning? >> 10:15 this morning. my brother's family is the first responder so we have them here because he's working in our family. three adults, two kids and to advance into dogs. shepard: are thanks to your brother first off for his first responder service. how are the kids and pets doing? >> pets are doing fine. they haven't been out since last night. the kids of course are building fords, playing board games. the babies of course have no idea what's going on. we are trying to keep the kids busy. we are explaining to them it will be a day of checkers and chess. shepard: a little family bonding. one of the things growing up in h