William Saliba returned to France duty and kept a clean sheet as France defeated Azerbaijan 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Paris.
Our defender played the full 90 minutes at the Parc Des Princes as goals from Kylian Mbappe, Adrien Rabiot and Florian Thauvin sealed a comfortable victory for Les Bleus.
Leandro Trossard started for Belgium as the Red Devils dropped points at home to North Macedonia.
Looking to move to the top of the group with a win, Leo started up top and played 74 minutes but couldn’t find the breakthrough in Brussels as Rudi Garcia’s side had to settle for a point.
Ethan Nwaneri impressed in under-21 action, providing two assists in a 4-0 victory over Moldova.
Our midfielder helped get the scoring underway in the Euro U21 qualifier, making a driving run before laying off to Jamie Gittens who put his effort into the corner. Ethan then set up the second, assisting Divin Mubama.
The striker added a third before Rico Lewis netted a fourth to give Lee Carsley’s men all three points and leave the Young Lions in third place in their qualifying group, one point off the top
Viktor Gyokeres played the full 90 minutes as Sweden suffered a home defeat against Switzerland in their bid to reach the World Cup. Viktor started positively as Sweden almost opened the scoring in Stockholm. But the hosts took control in the second half as former Gunner, Granit Xhaka, slotted home his penalty. Johan Manzambi then netted in stoppage time to make it 2-0.
Gabriel Magalhaes‘ Brazil have already qualified for the World Cup as they took on South Korea in an international friendly over in Seoul.
Big Gabi played the full 90 minutes and kept a clean sheet as doubles from Estevao, Rodrygo and a 77th minute effort from Vinicius Jr saw Selecao rack up a 5-0 win in the Far East. Gabriel Martinelli was an unused substitute for the contest.
Finally, Cristhian Mosquera played 45 minutes for the Spain under-21s in their comfortable 4-1 victory over Norway. Three efforts came in the first half before Cristhian was introduced at half-time.
what it means
Wilo’s France are in a perfect position to qualify for next year’s showpiece event. They can qualify as soon as the next game, should they beat Iceland and Ukraine fail to defeat Azerbaijan.
| Nation | Played | GD | Points |
| France | 3 | +6 | 9 |
| Ukraine | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Iceland | 3 | +2 | 3 |
| Azerbaijan | 3 | -8 | 1 |
As for Leo’s Belgium, their draw at home to North Macedonia means it’s a huge showdown with Wales next time out in Cardiff.
| Nation | Played | GD | Points |
| North Macedonia | 6 | +9 | 12 |
| Belgium | 5 | +13 | 11 |
| Wales | 5 | +5 | 10 |
| Kazakhstan | 6 | -4 | 6 |
| Liechtenstein | 6 | -23 | 0 |
Viktor’s Sweden need a victory at home to Kosovo next time out to put themselves back in contention of qualifying for the World Cup.
| Nation | Played | GD | Points |
| Switzerland | 3 | +9 | 9 |
| Kosovo | 3 | -2 | 4 |
| Slovenia | 3 | -3 | 2 |
| Sweden | 3 | -4 | 1 |
what’s next
All times BST
Thursday, October 9
Belarus 0-6 Denmark
World Cup qualifier | Norgaard played 25 minutes
Malta 0-4 Netherlands
World Cup qualifier | Timber played the full 90, kept a clean sheet
England 3-0 Wales
Friendly | Saka scored, Rice captained and Lewis-Skelly came on as a substitute.
Friday, October 10
South Korea 0-5 Brazil
Friendly | Gabriel played the full 90 minutes, Martinelli an unused sub
Moldova U21 0-4 England U21
Euro U21 qualifier | Nwaneri provided two assists
Sweden 0-2 Switzerland
World Cup qualifier | Gyokeres played the full 90 minutes
France 3-0 Azerbaijan
World Cup qualifier | Saliba played full 90 minutes, kept a clean sheet
Belgium 0-0 North Macedonia
World Cup qualifier | Trossard started, played 74 minutes
Spain U21 4-1 Norway 21
Friendly | Mosquera played 45 minutes
Saturday, October 11
Spain (Merino, Zubimendi, Raya) v Georgia
World Cup qualifier | Elche | 7.45pm
Estonia v Italy (Calafiori)
World Cup qualifier | Tallinn | 7.45pm
Sunday, October 12
Netherlands (Timber) v Finland
World Cup qualifier | Amsterdam | 5pm
Denmark (Norgaard) v Greece
World Cup qualifier | Copenhagen | 7.45pm
Monday, October 13
Sweden (Gyokeres) v Kosovo
World Cup qualifier | Stockholm | 7.45pm
Iceland v France (Saliba)
World Cup qualifier | Reykjavik | 7.45pm
Wales v Belgium (Trossard)
World Cup qualifier | Cardiff | 7.45pm
England U21 (Nwaneri) v Andorra U21
Euro U21 qualifier | Derby | 7.45pm
Tuesday, October 14
Japan v Brazil (Gabriel, Martinelli)
Friendly | Tokyo | 11.30am
Spain U21 (Mosquera) v Finland U21
Euro U21 Qualifier | Castellón de la Plana | 5.30pm
Spain (Merino, Zubimendi, Raya) v Bulgaria
World Cup qualifier | Valladolid | 7.45pm
Italy (Calafiori) v Israel
World Cup qualifier | Udine | 7.45pm
Latvia v England (Eze, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Saka)
World Cup qualifier | Riga | 7.45pm
