SAINTS midfielder Steven Davis captained Northern Ireland as they took a major stride towards Euro 2016 with a 3-1 win away to the Faroe Islands.

Two goals from Gareth McAuley and a third from Kyle Lafferty moved the Irish to the top of Group F, and they can now book a place at next summer's finals in France with a win at home to Hungary on Monday.

Elsewhere, Shane Long's hopes of reaching the Euros with the Republic of Ireland also improved, as they took advantage of Scotland's 1-0 defeat away to Georgia by winning 4-0 in Gibraltar to move up to third in Group D.

Long came off the bench in the second half to score his country's fourth of the night.

Dusan Tadic was also in Euro 2016 qualifying action, coming on as a late substitute in Serbia's 2-0 win at home to Armenia - their first victory of the campaign - as they moved off the bottom of Group I and above their opponents.

Saints captain Jose Fonte came up against his former teammate Morgan Schneiderlin, as Portugal lost 1-0 at home to France in a friendly.

Fonte started on the bench, but came on during the first half, while fellow Saints defender Cedric Soares was brought on for the hosts after the interval.

Schneiderlin came on at the break for France, who won thanks to Mathieu Valbuena's late free-kick.