THERE have been a number of men’s first-team players proudly representing their countries over the past seven days in the final set of international fixtures of the calendar year.
Here’s a round-up of who was away and how they fared for their nations:
Scotland – John Souttar, Connor Barron and Liam Kelly
Greece 3-2 Scotland – FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Scotland 4-2 Denmark – FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Three Rangers players were part of the Scotland squad that created history over the break as Steve Clarke’s side secured World Cup qualification for next summer’s finals for the first time since 1998.
Souttar was in the lineup as they firstly fell to a narrow defeat on Saturday evening in Greece, having been 3-0 down, with the play-offs beckoning, but for a favour to arrive from Belarus to leave a one-game shootout against Denmark at Hampden Park last night.
A special evening that will be looked back on around the nation for years to come, followed by two goals in stoppage time securing the Scots’ place with the win and a major tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico to look forward to next June.
Norway – Thelo Aasgaard
Norway 4-1 Estonia – World Cup Qualifier
Italy 1-4 Norway – World Cup Qualifier
Thelo was part of the Norway squad who rounded off an impressive World Cup qualifying campaign by booking their place in the finals for the first time in 27 years.
A comfortable win over Estonia before an excellent away display in Italy, with the midfielder appearing from the bench, saw the team top the group with a flawless record of eight wins out of eight.
Belgium – Nico Raskin
Kazakhstan 1-1 Belgium – World Cup Qualifier
Belgium 7-0 Liechtenstein – World Cup Qualifier
Nico started both outings for Belgium as they also secured their place at next summer’s finals with four points from their remaining two matches, as they topped Group J.
He continues to be a mainstay for his nation and will look to continue his form for a place in the squad during the remainder of the season.
North Macedonia – Bojan Miovski
North Macedonia 0-0 Latvia – Friendly
Wales 7-1 North Macedonia – World Cup Qualifier
Bojan was part of the North Macedonia squad that also played out two outings over the international break.
They faced off against Latvia in a friendly on Thursday as the teams played out a goalless draw, before a night to forget for his nation followed as their hopes of heading to North America next summer were ended with a heavy defeat away to Wales, with the striker finding the back of the net for his side.
Albania – Nedim Bajrami
Andorra 0-1 Albania – World Cup Qualifier
Albania 0-2 England – World Cup Qualifier
Nedim and his Albania teammates will gear up for the World Cup play-offs in March after seeing off their closest challengers, Serbia, to a runners-up spot in Group K.
He appeared as a substitute in a vital away win in Andorra before earning a starting spot as England left victorious with a 2-0 success on Sunday evening.
Finland – Oliver Antman
Finland 0-1 Malta – World Cup Qualifier
Finland 4-0 Andorra – Friendly
Oliver was in action on two occasions as Finland’s outside chances of securing a play-off were ended by a home defeat to Malta.
A friendly clash against Andorra followed, with the winger opening the scoring on the night as the team secured a 4-0 victory.
Northern Ireland – Ross McCausland
Slovakia 1-0 Northern Ireland – World Cup Qualifier
Northern Ireland 1-0 Luxembourg – World Cup Qualifier
Ross put a pause on his productive loan spell over in Cyprus as he joined up with his Northern Ireland teammates for the break.
His nation bounced back from defeat to Slovakia with a win over Luxembourg and will now look forward to the play-offs in the new year, having already secured their spot via the Nations League route.
Burkina Faso – Nasser Djiga
Burkina Faso 3-2 Niger – Friendly
Burkina Faso 3-0 Benin – Friendly
Nasser and Burkina Faso were in friendly warm-up action as they ready themselves for the African Cup of Nations, which starts next month.
It was a productive break with back-to-back wins, with the defender hopeful of doing enough to be part of the squad for the tournament in their continent in December.
Canada – Derek Cornelius
Ecuador 0-0 Canada – Friendly
Canada 2-0 Venezuela – Friendly
Derek and his nation also contested two friendly matches as they continue to prepare to co-host next summer’s World Cup finals.
The defender will be hopeful of putting in strong performances at club level between now and then to secure his place in the squad for the major tournament.
Portugal Under-21’s – Youssef Chermiti
Czech Republic Under-21s 0-0 Portugal Under-21’s – Under-21 European Championship Qualifier
Youssef was again involved with his nation at Under-21 level as they played out a sole qualifying match against the Czech Republic yesterday.
They currently top their group, as they look to secure a place in 2027’s European Championships to be hosted in Albania and Serbia.
Northern Ireland Under-21s – Mason Munn
Northern Ireland Under-21s 1-0 Latvia Under-21’s – Under-21 European Championship Qualifier
Greece Under-21s 4-0 Northern Ireland Under-21’s – Under-21 European Championship Qualifier
Northern Ireland Under-21’s were in action in two crucial matches as they looked to secure their place at the tournament.
They boosted their hopes with a win in their first outing before falling to a heavy defeat to Greece, as they currently sit in third in the standings after five matches played.
England Under-20’s – Jayden Meghoma
England Under-20’s 1-1 Japan Under-20’s – Friendly
Jayden has been an impressive performer for the Gers this campaign and was rewarded with selection to the England Under-20’s squad for their friendly outing.
He featured for 82 minutes of the match played in Doncaster, as he looks to gain further opportunities at the youth level for his nation moving forward.
England Under-19’s – Mikey Moore
England Under-19’s 2-0 Lithuania Under-19’s – Under-19 European Championship Qualifier
Latvia Under-19’s 7-0 England Under-19’s – Under-19 European Championship Qualifier
England Under-19’s 4-0 Scotland Under-19’s – Under-19 European Championship Qualifier
Mikey was part of the young England squad as they made three wins from three in the first qualifying round for the Under-19 Euros.
The winger has been in impressive form for the Gers and will hope to carry that on in the outings to come.
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