Our four international representatives enjoyed mixed fortunes in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying yesterday.
Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph and Italy striker Simone Zaza – were both victorious.
However, Senegal’s Cheikhou Kouyate and Algeria winger Sofiane Feghouli were on the losing side in their respective qualifiers.
Randolph was again impressive keeping a clean sheet to help Ireland to victory in Vienna with his side finishing the year unbeaten and two points clear at the top of Group D.
Italy are level on points with Spain at the top of Group G, where Zaza appeared as a late substitute in the Azzurri’s 4-0 victory in Liechtenstein.
In Africa, Kouyate started and completed the full 90 minutes for Senegal, but the team were beaten 2-1 in South Africa in Group D. The result leaves Senegal third in the group, with four matches still to play.
Feghouli was a late substitute for Algeria, but Nigeria won 3-1 leaving Algeria bottom of the group with just one point from their two matches.
The World Cup qualifiers continue on Sunday, with West Ham’s Edimilson Fernandes hoping to make his Switzerland debut at home to the Faroe Islands in European Group B.