The latest FIFA rankings for national teams were issued yesterday and as in the previous list England were classified third.

The position is the Three Lions’ best ever in the world list which continues to be topped by the all-dominant Spain.

The first FIFA rankings were produced in December 1992 and on that occasion England were placed in the fifth slot.

In February 1996, with Terry Venables as manager, England sunk to their lowest-ever ranking of 27th.

Before the rankings had pitted England in third place, the last time the Whites had attained their highest position was in December 1997 when Glenn Hoddle had led the team to fourth place.

This year’s England rankings: January (fifth); February (fifth); March (sixth); April (seventh); May (seventh); June (sixth); July (fourth); August (third); September (third).

Other items worth of note for August:

• In the third qualifying round of the Champions League, Celtic beat HJK Helsinki 2-1 but Motherwell lose at home 0-2 to Panathinaikos.

• Celtic beat HJK Helsinki in Finland 2-0 to proceed to the third qualifying round of the Champions League 4-1 on aggregate. Motherwell fall to Panathinaikos 0-3 (0-5 aggregate). Dundee United follow suit in the Europa League as they crash 2-7 over two legs to Dynamo Moscow. Liverpool move forward 4-0 on aggregate against Gomel.

• Football League club Ports-mouth avoid liquidation after the last senior player Liam Lawrence agreed to leave the club.

• At Villa Park, Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-2 in the Community Shield match.

• John Toshack leaves his managerial post at Macedonia.

• Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given retires from the international field.

• In an international friendly in Berne, England beat Italy 2-1 (Jagielka, Defoe).

Other results: Northern Ireland-Finland 3-3; Serbia-Ireland 0-0; Wales-Bosnia 0-2; Scotland-Australia 3-1.

• Bolton’s Fabrice Muamba forced to retire from the game on medical advice after his collapse at White Hart Lane last season.

• Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand has been fined £45,000 by the FA over a comment posted on Twitter.

• In the Champions League play-off, first leg, Celtic win at Helsingborgs 2-0.

• In the Europa League play-off first leg, Liverpool win 1-0 at Hearts.

Other results: Atrom Athens-Newcastle United 1-1, Motherwell-Levante 0-2.

• League Cup second round shocks: Sheffield Wednesday-Fulham 1-0, Stoke-Swindon 3-4.

• Celtic move into the Champions League group phase after beating Helsingborgs again 2-0 at home for a 4-0 aggregate.

• In the Europa League, Liverpool are held to a 1-1 draw at Anfield against Hearts but still move into the group stages 2-1 over both legs.

Other outcomes: Levante-Motherwell 1-0 (3-0 aggregate), Newcastle-Atrom Athens 1-0 (2-1).

• In Monaco, Chelsea suffer a 4-1 hiding in the UEFA Super Cup against Atletico Madrid.

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