England on rise

England are up to 14th in the new FIFA rankings but Scotland were the big losers today plunging 10 places.

A 4-1 victory in Croatia plus a 2-0 win against Andorra in last month's World Cup qualifiers saw Fabio Capello's men edge up a place.

The Scots had been just behind England in the previous standings but are now down to 26th as a 2-1 win over Iceland could not repair the damage done by a 1-0 defeat in Macedonia four days earlier.

European champions Spain top the rankings for a fourth straight month after extending their lead over world champions Italy.

World Cup qualifying wins over Armenia and Bosnia were enough to keep Vicente Del Bosque's side comfortably clear of Italy, who also enjoyed qualifying victories over Georgia and Cyprus

Northern Ireland dropped three places to 35, the Republic of Ireland stayed at 38 while Wales fell eight places to 61st.

England's opponents on Saturday, Kazakhstan, dropped 11 places to 131st.