ANDERS SVENSSON was the happiest of the Saints contingent who were on international duty at the weekend.

The midfielder played all 90 minutes of Sweden's 7-0 romp at home to Malta in their opening World Cup qualifier on Saturday night.

St Mary's colleague Mikael Nilsson, who hasn't featured for Saints since being subbed at half-time on his debut at Villa Park on the opening day of the season, came on as a 62nd minute substitute.

Nilsson had played every minute of his nation's Euro 2004 finals campaign but coach Lars Largerback opted to start with Christian Wilhelmsson on the right of midfield.

The Anderlecht winger took his chance well by setting up four of the goals.

But Nilsson, pictured above, did manage to set up a goal after coming on and looked lively.

Anders Svensson turned in a solid but unspectacular display, yet also set up a goal.

Michael Svensson was obviously absent through the knee injury that rules him out until Christmas while new Saints signing Andreas Jakobbson retired from international football after the Euro 2004 finals.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic wrapped up Sweden's victory with a hat-trick inside the opening 14 minutes and he later added a fourth in the second half.

Arsenal's Freddie Ljungberg scored twice while Henrik Larsson grabbed the seventh.

Saints keeper Antti Niemi kept his first clean sheet of the season as Finland defeated Andorra 3-0 at home.

Elsewhere, Claus Lundekvam played the 90 minutes as Norway took a first minute lead against Italy through John Carew before eventually losing 2-1.

Kenwynne Jones, the young Trinidadian signed by Saints back in the summer but who has yet to really get a chance to impress at St Mary's, helped Trinidad & Tobago beat Caribbean rivals St Kitts 2-1 in a CONCAFAF World Cup qualifier.

Jelle Van Damme was not included in the Belgian squad that was held 1-1 at home by Lithuania while Marian Pahars (Latvia), Chris Baird (Northern Ireland) and Rory Delap (Republic of Ireland) all missed their countries' matches through injury.