International round-up: Northern Ireland miss chance to make up ground

Robin Van Persie's injury jinx struck again last night as the Arsenal forward limped off with a knee injury after scoring for the Netherlands in their 5-3 victory over Hungary in Amsterdam.

Van Persie will be a doubt for Arsenal's Premier League game at home to Blackburn on Saturday and his injury marred a thrilling Dutch victory sealed by two late Dirk Kuyt goals.

Northern Ireland's Euro 2012 qualification prospects suffered a major blow as they drew 0-0 with Slovenia at Windsor Park. A victory would have put Nigel Worthington's side level on points with second-placed Serbia, who drew 1-1 with Estonia, but they produced a disappointing display. "A draw was a fair result," the striker Warren Feeney said. "We have only been beaten once in the group and are not out of it."

The Republic of Ireland lost 3-2 at home to Uruguay in a friendly, Germany were surprisingly beaten at home 2-1 by Australia and 10-man Italy won 2-0 against Ukraine. In another Euro 2012 qualifier, holders Spain won 3-1 in Lithuania.