Dutch end Spain's reign at top

Soccer: Spain’s reign as the world’s number-one ranked team has come to an end, with the Netherlands replacing them at the top…

Soccer:Spain's reign as the world's number-one ranked team has come to an end, with the Netherlands replacing them at the top of the latest Fifa chart that also sees the Republic of Ireland move up two places to 31st.

Having held the position for more than a year, a friendly loss to Italy means the world and European champions have been replaced by the Dutch, who become just the seventh team to head the rankings.

Uruguay’s Copa America success means they are now the top South American side in fifth, with Brazil dropping down to sixth.

Germany remain in third and England move up to fourth, while the make-up of the top 10 remains the same, with Italy, Portugal, Argentina and Croatia the other sides.

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Scotland are up six to 55th and Northern Ireland up three to 59th. Wales’ ranking does slide, though, with Gary Speed’s men dropping five places to 117th, with Haiti moving above them in the standings.