International round-up

Bafetimbi Gomis's second-half winner helped France clinch a 2-1 friendly victory against hosts Italy.

Two other European heavyweights, Netherlands and Germany, went head-to-head, but nothing could separate the bitter rivals in a goalless stalemate.

Montenegro moved top of England's World Cup qualifying group with a comfortable 3-0 victory against minnows San Marino.

And former England boss Fabio Capello watched his Russia side draw 2-2 against visitors USA in a friendly.

French end It

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli hit the crossbar for Italy with a long-range shot in the 10th minute before highly rated AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawi, who has scored eight Serie A goals this term, transferred his impressive form to the international stage by netting the opener in Parma.

The Azzurri's lead lasted barely two minutes, though, as Mathieu Vabuena equalised for France before Gomis converted Patrice Evra's pass.

Both Netherlands and Germany were missing key players for their clash in Amsterdam - and it resulted in a tame match with few chances.

Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus could have snatched an injury-time winner for the Germans, but blasted his shot over the bar.

Elsad Zverotic's second-half strike sealed Montenegro's win againstSan Marino after Andrija Delibasic netted a first-half brace.

Montenegro have earned 10 points from four Group H games, with second-placed England on eight after four matches.



Capello, who took over as Russia boss in the summer, extended his unbeaten run at the helm to six matches with the draw againstUSA.

Fedor Smolov and Roman Shirokov netted for the home side, but their strikes were cancelled out by American pair Michael Bradley and Mikkel Deskerud.

Argentina fielded Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria in their trip toSaudi Arabia - but the South Americans were still unable to break down their hosts in a goalless stalemate.

The match saw Messi reunited with Saudi boss Frank Rijkaard - the man who gave him his break in the Barcelona first team.

World and European champions Spain thrashed Panama 5-1 after goals from Pedro (2), David Villa, Sergio Ramos and Markel Susaeta.


Elsewhere, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez netted Uruguay's third as they won 3-1 in Poland, while ex-Chelsea talisman Didier Drogba scored inIvory Coast's 3-0 win against hosts Austria.

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke put Belgium ahead in Romania,before the hosts turned the game around to win 2-1.

Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner, currently on loan at Juventus, putDenmark ahead from the spot in their 1-1 draw again

Sneijder: Kuyt struggling in sub role

Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder says team-mate Dirk Kuyt is having a hard time coping with his role as a substitute in the national team.



The former Liverpool attacker, who has agreed to join Fenerbahce for next season, had to settle for a place on the bench in his country's 1-0 defeat against Denmark on Saturday.



After the match, Kuyt did not hide his disappointment at losing his place in the team's starting XI, and Sneijder has expressed sympathy for his fellow countryman.



"You can bet that it has been very hard for Kuyt," the Inter midfielder told De Telegraaf. "He played at the World Cup and in the Euro qualifiers and now he is being left out.



"The fact that he was not in the starting line-up against Denmark was very painful for him, even more so than for the other players.



"He is very important for the balance of a team."



The Netherlands will take on Germany at on Wednesday.

Fenerbahce announce signing of Dirk Kuyt

Fenerbahce have announced on their official website that Dirk Kuyt has left Liverpool to sign a three-year deal with the Turkish club.



Kuyt joined Liverpool in 2006, the summer after they won the FA Cup. He spent five trophy-less seasons at Anfield until the most recent campaign, when he got his hands on the Carling Cup.



A first-team regular under Rafael Benitez, who brought the Netherlands international to Merseyside, Kuyt lost his way under Kenny Dalglish, often playing a bit-part role. He had expressed his frustration on more than one occasion over the past six months, and now the inevitable parting of ways has occurred.



"Dirk Kuyt has signed a three-year contract," read a simple statement on Fenerbahce's official website.



Liverpool later confirmed on their website: "Liverpool Football Club can confirm that Dirk Kuyt has advised the club that he has today reached an agreement with Fenerbahce SK over a move to Turkey, and the transfer is expected to be completed in the next few days.



"Everyone at Liverpool Football Club would like to wish Dirk all the very best for the future and thank him for his contribution to the club."



Kuyt enjoyed some memorable moments as a Liverpool player, making 285 appearances and scoring 71 goals. Bought as a striker from Feyenoord he quickly switched to the right-wing, where he consistently chipped in with goals until Benitez's departure.



The 31-year-old scored in the 2007 Champions League final as Liverpool lost 2-1 to AC Milan, having netted the winning penalty against Chelsea to take the Reds to that final.



Domestically the Dutchman often stepped up when it truly mattered, memorably scoring two penalties in the same Merseyside derby against Everton in 2007, as well as netting a hat-trick at home to rivals Manchester United in 2011.



He was tagged as the scorer of big goals in big games around Liverpool, a reputation he lived up to again when scoring the last-minute winner in the FA Cup tie against United during the 2011-12 campaign. He also notched Liverpool's extra-time goal as well as scoring a penalty in the Carling Cup triumph over Cardiff.



Kuyt's departure marks the first big outgoing name of Brendan Rodgers' reign as Liverpool manager. The Reds boss has revealed his interest in bringing Gylfi Sigurdsson to Anfield this summer.

Kuyt: I'm still good enough

Dirk Kuyt has vented his frustration at no longer being a Liverpool first-team regular under Kenny Dalglish.



Reds boss Dalglish left the 31-year-old on the bench for large periods of the season, but Kuyt feels he is good enough to start every week.



He told The Sun: "Under this manager I don't have the feeling any more that he will put me in the side every week.



"I'm under no illusion about playing every week. But I believe I am still good enough to play for Liverpool every week."



Kuyt seems certain to leave Anfield, though he is keen to remain with the Reds.



"Deep in my heart I'd love to stay at Liverpool," he said.



Last month, Kuyt was seen having talks with Feyenoord technical director Martin van Geel, sparking reports he would sign for the Rotterdam club.



However, although the player admits he considered a move back to his former club, he believes he still has much to offer a top European side.



"The fact I held talks with Feyenoord indicates I wanted to give it a serious chance," he told AD Sportwereld.



"But in many ways the gap is too great at this moment in time.



"If I returned to Holland, I would have to take an 80% cut in my Liverpool wages."