This week sees the return of international football, with qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup notably getting underway.
Those fixtures also mark an opportunity for teams to build momentum ahead of this summer’s rescheduled Euros. Players would be looking to impress their managers showing them they’ve got what it takes to be in the Euros squad.
ENGLAND VS SAN MARINO
England’s world cup qualifiers campaign is off to a flyer. They scored five goals during a dominant display against San Marino. James Ward-Prowse opened the scoring for England with only 14 minutes on the clock. Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a brace, while Raheem Sterling and Ollie Watkins got on the scoresheet. Watkins made it a sweet debut by scoring after coming on in the second half.
John Stones and Jesse Lingard showed their value on their return to the national team. Gareth Southgate was pleased with his “hungry” looking England side in the 5-0 win over San Marino, claiming in the past players had looked “stodgy” in such fixtures.
SPAIN VS GREECE
Spain were left frustrated after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Greece in their opening 2022 World Cup qualifying Group B fixture on Thursday. Alvaro Morata opened the scoring for Luis Enrique’s side. In the second half, the score was levelled after substitute Inigo Martinez gave away the penalty Anastasios Bakasetas converted from the spot to score the equaliser.
ITALY VS NORTHERN IRELAND
Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in their opening World Cup Group C Qualifier in Parma; first-half goals from Domenico Berardi and Ciro Immobile were enough to give Itlay the 3 points.
SCOTLAND VS AUSTRIA
John McGinn’s sensational overhead kick helped Scotland to come twice from behind to draw 2-2 with Austria at Hampden Park. Scotland manager Steve Clarke said: “To come back from behind twice, it shows good character to come back into the game, we’ll take the point.”
GERMANY VS ICELAND
Germany showed support for Qatar World Cup’s migrant workers ahead of qualifier against Iceland. The German squad wore T-shirts spelling out ‘HUMAN RIGHTS’ prior to their game against Iceland. It was an easy victory for Germany as they won the game 3-0. Germany scored two goals in under 10 minutes and Ilkay Gundogan scoring the third in the second half giving Germany all three points.