LISBON, Portugal -- Russia virtually assured its qualification for the World Cup with a 4-0 rout of Luxembourg on Friday that gave Fabio Capellos team a three-point lead at the top of Group F after Israel grabbed a late equalizer for a 1-1 draw against Portugal. Sonny Jackson Braves Jersey . Portugal could still pull level with Russia in next weeks last qualifiers but the Russians have scored seven more goals than the Portuguese, giving them the decisive edge. The draw in Lisbon ensured Portugal at least a place in the playoff between the best eight second-place teams in the nine European qualifying groups. Bulgarias 2-1 defeat against Armenia in Group B meant Portugal has enough points for a playoff berth. Russia powered past Luxembourg with first-half goals from Alexander Samedov, Victor Faizulin and Denis Glushakov. Alexander Kerzhakov got another in the 73rd. "We have played a very good match, on high speed and with great desire," Russia coach Fabio Capello said. "Weve reached our goal." Portugal, a 2012 European Championship semifinalist, failed to impress against Israel in what has been a lacklustre qualifying campaign, with Cristiano Ronaldo producing a muted performance in the Portuguese capital. A blunder by goalkeeper Rui Patricio cost Portugal victory as his 85th-minute clearance went straight to Ben Basat, who cancelled out Ricardo Costas 27th-minute strike. The game was tense to the end as a below-par Portuguese team held onto its slender lead. Portugals qualification bid went off track earlier in the campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Northern Ireland and a 3-3- draw in Israel, and Fridays lukewarm match was reminiscent of those displays. The Portuguese defence was depleted by the absence of three regular starters, but its attack was the weakest point and the team struggled to find its rhythm going forward. Hoyt Wilhelm Jersey . Lawries batting helmet hit an umpire during his ninth-inning outburst in the Jays 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday. The 22-year-old threw his helmet to the ground and it bounced up and hit home plate umpire Bill Miller on the right hip after Lawrie was called out on strikes for the second out. Greg Maddux Braves Jersey . Next up, the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns in the AFC North. Baltimore Ravens In 2014, the 8-8 season that the Baltimore Ravens experienced was to be expected. https://www.cheapbraves.com/2643o-deion-sanders-jersey-braves.html .Y. - Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby captured his second career Art Ross trophy on Sunday after leading the NHL in scoring this season.PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Cam Heyward has been around long enough to know the drill.No matter whom the fourth-year defensive end stands next to in the huddle Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) face the staggering Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3), the way the Steelers go about their business will not change.Sure injured linebackers Jarvis Jones (wrist surgery) and Ryan Shazier (knee sprain) will be missed.It doesnt mean defensive co-ordinator Dick LeBeau is going to hit delete on his playbook and start from scratch for replacements Arthur Moats and Sean Spence, who filled in capably during the final 25 minutes of last Sundays surprisingly easy 37-19 win over Carolina.Its going to definitely be different, Heyward said. But thats just part of the game. Youve got to be ready for it. ... Were definitely not going to shorten the package for them. We fully expect them to step in and play.The game will cap an emotional comeback for Spence, who spent two years slowly recovering from a grisly left knee injury at the end of the 2012 preseason that threatened to end his career. The painful rehab from two torn knee ligaments and extensive nerve damage took its toll on his body and his mind.The moment he runs out of the tunnel at Heinz Field as a starter, he can finally close the page on 25 months that derailed him but did not define him. Spence believes hes as quick as he was before that awkward step against Carolina in August 2012.He believes hes smarter too thanks extensive work in the film room, where he absorbed everything he could from veterans Lawrence Timmons and Larry Foote.Spence is eager to reward the Steelers for their patience. Some teams might have moved on when his recovery slowed to a crawl. Not Pittsburgh.I appreciate that, Spence said. Its time to give it back.Things to look for as the Steelers try to move to 3-1 for the first time since 2010 while the Buccaneers look to avoid a second straight 0-4 start.HUMBLED BUCS: Whatever optimism surrounding Tampa Bay under new coach Lovie Smith vanished during a 56-14 loss to Atlanta last week. Only a pair of meaningless scores in the fourth quarter allowed the Buccaneers to avoid the worst loss in the franchises 38-year history, which is saying something.Steelers coach Mike Tomlin believes Smith will be energized by his teams struggles. Smith prefers to think hes even-keeled, but allows theres only one way to go.Ill just say that were not happy being (0-3) and we want tto get this right, Smith said. Bob Horner Braves Jersey. I think thats what Mike is saying. Yes, our football team is anxious to play better and see what it feels like to win a football game.FAMILIAR FACES: Tampa Bay should get some needed reinforcements from running back Doug Martin and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who watched the debacle against the Falcons in street clothes due to injury. Martins knee appears to be healthy while McCoy practiced with a protective covering over his injured right hand. Though Smith declined to speculate on their availability, the Steelers remain wary.(Martin) is a quality runner, a one-cut, small and tough target, Tomlin said. I think they call him the muscle hamster. I dont know what that is but it sounds appropriate.FAMILIAR FACES 2.0: The Steelers brought five-time Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison out of a brief 18-day retirement this week to address the loss of Jones, who is out at least eight weeks. The 36-year-old Harrison estimated he could see the field for 2-3 plays against Tampa Bay, but stressed hell need time to get back in football shape.Im going to rewrite the ending (of my career), Harrison said. Lets just see what happens. Well see if the ending is a good one or not. Just being here is good. Lets see if we can make it better.ONE-TWO PUNCH: Pittsburgh has the NFLs top rushing offence behind LeVeon Bell and LeGarrette Blount. Both backs topped 100 yards against the Panthers, the first time two Steelers have done that in the same game in 28 years. Bell, who leads the league in yards from scrimmage, has become an expert at setting up his blockers.Hes been a smart runner since Ive been associated with him, Tomlin said of Bell. I think some of the things he does, he does innately.SHUFFLED DECK: Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo will take over the game planning and play calling full time while offensive co-ordinator Jeff Tedford takes a leave of absence to deal with a health issue. Tampa Bay is 29th in scoring, averaging just 15.8 points a game. Mike Glennon will likely start at quarterback while Josh McCown deals with a hand injury.Once you get that first win, things kind of get rolling, Glennon said. And I think thats the mindset were taking again this year and well work ourselves through it. Its a long season; 13 games left in the season. Ten weeks from now, we wont even remember this.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '