Two Everton stars scored and several more have impressed during an international break that has offered positive signs so far.
More than a dozen senior and youth team players were called up by their countries and several have made the headlines with their exploits. Among those are Jordan Pickford and Nathan Patterson - who both earned plaudits for performances that caught the attention of the watching world.
Pickford’s heroics kept England in the game before they eventually overcame Switzerland at Wembley. Saves from Granit Xhaka and Fabian Frei proved crucial as he once again repaid manager Gareth Southgate’s faith in him.
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One of the most impressive sights of the international fixtures so far has been Anthony Gordon’s thumping volley as he smashed home in England U21s' 4-1 victory over Andorra U21s. The 21-year-old, a bright spark amid Everton’s struggles this season, hammered home after being fed by Southampton right back Valentino Livramento.
Also on the scoresheet was Richarlison, who grabbed a stoppage time goal as Brazil faced Chile in a World Cup qualifier at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. The strike saw him cut inside a defender before curling a sumptuous left-footed effort into the far corner from just inside the area as he rounded off a 4-0 win.
Nathan Patterson’s performance in Scotland’s draw with Poland left supporters clamouring for him to have greater involvement in the first team as the season reaches its finale. Scotland boss Steve Clarke praised his performance, telling the Daily Record it “was really good for a boy who has had so little football”.
Patterson has played just 45 minutes since his January move from Rangers but could have a crucial role in the coming weeks if he can push on from Thursday’s performance. Abdoulaye Doucoure’s debut for Mali did not go to plan, however, after they suffered a catastrophic four minutes just before half-time in their World Cup qualifier with Tunisia.
He was one of three changes as the side was overhauled at the break after Moussa Sissako scored an own goal and was then sent off. Doucoure could have a major role to play as Mali face Tunisia in the second leg of the qualifier on Tuesday night, trailing 1-0.
Seamus Coleman played the full 90 minutes as Republic of Ireland drew 2-2 with Belgium - but found himself helpless as Hans Vanaken's header deflected in off him as Roberto Martinez’s side went 2-1 up. Salomon Rondon played most of the match as his Venezuela side lost 3-0 in Argentina. Lionel Messi was among the goalscorers in a fixture that leaves Venezuela bottom of the table in the South America World Cup qualifying campaign.
Elsewhere, several youth prospects gained valuable experience on international duty. Tom Cannon played 71 minutes as the Republic of Ireland’s U20s lost 1-0 in a friendly with Irish Amateurs and Isaac Price came off the bench as Northern Ireland U21s lost to Slovakia U21s. Ryan Astley played the full match and Rhys Hughes earned some time on the pitch as Wales U21s lost 5-1 to Switzerland U21s, while Luke Butterfield was subbed on in both games as Scotland U19s lost first to Turkey U19s, then Hungary U19s.
Price, Dylan Graham (Northern Ireland U19s) and Elijah Campbell (England U18s) could be in action on Monday night while tomorrow and Wednesday could see senior international action for the following: Pickford (England v Ivory Coast), Coleman (Republic of Ireland v Lithuania), Doucoure (Tunisia v Mali), Richarlison (Bolivia v Brazil), Rondon (Venezuela v Colombia) and Nathan Patterson (Scotland v Austria).
Also involved in international duty across the coming days are: Anthony Gordon (Albania U21s v England U21s). Astley and Hughes (Wales U21s v Bulgaria U21s), Zan-Luk Leban (Slovenia U21s v Kosovo U21s), Butterfield: (Scotland U19s v Israel U19s) and Ishe Samuels-Smith (England U17s v Luxembourg U17s).
