Last night saw 6 INTERnational’s on duty for their respective countries.
Goals for Lukaku & Lazaro against San Marino & Israel.
90 minutes of action for Bastoni, Brozovic & Skriniar. While de Vrij failed to get any playing time with the Netherlands.
Belgium v San Marino
Belgium trounced San Marino 9-0 in their Euro 2020 Qualifying group game. Lukaku hit a brace against the European minnows. Lukaku gave Belgium the lead in the 28th minute with a clinical finish past the keeper. This marked his 50th international goal for Belgium. He struck again in the 41st minute to make it 4-0 to the Belgians. He was replaced in the 76th minute by Benteke. A solid 76 minutes of action for Romelu with 2 goals.
Austria v Israel
Austria came from behind to beat Israel 3-1. Valentino Lazaro was impressive for the Austrians as he bagged their opening goal in the 41st minute. Lazaro played as a wing forward for the 90 minutes. A performance which will hopefully increase his confidence when he returns next week to Milan.
Croatia v Hungary
Croatia beat Hungary 3-0. Marcelo Brozovic played the full 90 minutes here in a comfortable win for the Croats. Brozovic picked up a yellow card on the stroke of half time, but other than this Brozovic played well.
Netherlands v Northern Ireland.
The Netherlands came from behind to beat Northern Ireland 3-1 last night. Some sloppy defending from De Ligt saw Northern Ireland take the lead in the 75th minute. Stefan De Vrij failed to make an appearance from the bench. Form would suggest that Stefan will soon get his chance to partner up with Virgil Van Dijk in the next game.
Slovakia v Wales
Slovakia were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Wales. Milan Skriniar played 90 minutes in a game that saw his center back partner Gyomber sent off on a second yellow card in the 88th minute. As ever Skriniar was consistent in defense. A massive asset to both club & country.
Republic of Ireland v Italy (U21)
Italy played out a scoreless draw away to the Rep. of Ireland last night in their second group game. Alessandro Bastoni played 90 minutes in a game which saw 2 red cards in the closing stages. Rep of Ireland striker Troy Parrot was dismissed after picking up a second yellow & Italy’s Moise Kean was dismissed with a straight red card, both in the 64th minute of the game.
