By CALEB SONNELAND
World-champion Spain's stint atop the FIFA rankings is officially over, with the Netherlands being the usurpers.
Bert van Marwijk's side ascended to the No. 1 spot after the Spaniards crashed to a friendly 2-1 defeat to Italy earlier in August.
Only the seventh team to sit atop the rankings (after Spain, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, France and Germany), the Dutch have been impressive in all competitions recently and boast one of the most star-studded team sheets in the world, yet they are the first to claim the top spot without ever winning a World Cup.
Elsewhere in the standings, Uruguay's triumph in the Copa America has propelled them to No. 5 ranked team in the world — the highest of any South American team (Brazil sits sixth following defeat to No. 3 Germany). England also benefited from the Germany-Brazil result, as the Three Lions climbed to No. 4 after previously occupying the sixth spot.
The United States rose two spots into the 28th position, behind Peru and Slovakia (tied for 26th) and just ahead of Serbia.
Here are some other stories to keep your Wednesday rolling along:
BAYERN, VILLARREAL ADVANCE TO UCL GROUP STAGE
The UEFA Champions League is beginning to take shape, with Bayern Munich, Villarreal, Dinamo Zagreb, Genk and Apoel Nicosia all booked places in the group stages of the prestigious competition in Tuesday's qualifying matches.
Villareal recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Danes Odense BK behind a brace from Giuseppe Rossi, overturning a 1-0, first-leg loss (highlights can be seen here). Bayern Munich edged FC Zurich through Mario Gomez, 1-0, in Geneva adding to its two-goal advantage from the first leg of the tie.
Dinamo Zagreb entered the second leg of its tie against Malmo FF with a 4-1 advantage, but endured a scary comeback from the Swedish side to take the tie in a 4-3 aggregate victory.
It took a penalty shootout to separate Maccabi Haifa and Genk, but the latter netted all its penalties, while Maccabi Haifa put just one away. The two sides both recorded 2-1 home victories in the matchup.
Nicosia needed an 87th-minute goal from Brazilian Ailton to win the second leg 3-1 and take the tie in a 3-2 aggregate final score.
BARTON ALLOWED TO SPEAK WITH QPR
Often at the source of controversy, Joey Barton looks set to end his four-year spell at Newcastle United following a long dispute with the club.
Despite his status as a fan favorite, Barton has been told he is not in the future plans of the club and has been given permission to hold talks with EPL new boys Queens Park Rangers.
In the final year of his contract, the 28-year-old midfielder has been instrumental in the Newcastle's rise back in the Premier League. But Barton was made available earlier in the summer after criticizing the club's transfer policy through his Twitter account.
Barton looked close to signing a new deal in January, but talks stalled when Andy Carroll departed the club for Liverpool.
Barton has been at the club since 2007 when he joined from Manchester City for £5.8 million.
DE ROSSI "ABSOLUTELY PERFECT" FOR CITY – MANCINI
It seems that Roberto Mancini has his sights set on yet another top player after he revealed to the media that Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi would be "absolutely perfect" for the revolution occurring at Manchester City.
The vice-captain of the Serie A giants, De Rossi is in the final year of his contract, and despite flattering praise from Mancini, the Manchester City boss admits that the midfielder may do what fellow Roma striker Francesco Totti has done and stay in the nation's capital his entire career.
Mancini lamented the lack of weapons in his midfield arsenal, citing that Barry, Milner, De Jong and Toure were "not enough" when considering the pack schedule the club is slated to take on this season.
With Samir Nasri on the brink of a transfer, it seems that Mancini is still looking to bolster his already sparkling roster.
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Think Holland deserves the No. 1 spot? What do you think about the USMNT rising a couple spots? What did you think of Rossi's goals? Do you see Barton and QPR being a good match? Think there's any chance De Rossi ends up in Manchester?
Share your thoughts below.