Graziano Pelle marked his international debut for Italy with a goal as his remarkable run of form continued.

The Saints striker is riding the crest of a wave since his £8m move to St Mary’s, scoring five goals for the club already and winning his first cap for the Azzurri last night.

As if that were not already the stuff of dreams, life got even better when he bagged what proved to be a vital winning goal for his country.

Pelle showed all his power and predatory instincts to bundle home from close range on 23 minutes in a game that ended 1-0.

The goal was certainly much appreciated by his teammates and manager, who would have been somewhat embarrassed had they not emerged from an away game with Malta with all three points, especially considering their hosts were playing the majority of the game with ten men before a late Italian dismissal levelled up the numbers again.

After Italy’s red card Pelle was withdrawn on 73 minutes as his country looked to protect their lead.

As it was the result was a hugely underwhelming one in Italy’s Group H qualifying campaign and will have settled few nerves after they only scrapped past Azerbaijan at the weekend.

But while it might not have been pretty thus far, Italy do have a commanding nine points from three games.

It was certainly a huge night for Pelle and one that would be cheered by the Saints fans who have already taken the big striker to their hearts.

Another Saints summer signing, Toby Alderweireld, was also playing for his country, Belgium, in a European Championship qualifier last night.

Alderweireld is being employed by Ronald Koeman as a centre back at St Mary’s, but was at right back for the game away to Bosnia.

It was his attacking rather than defensive qualities that were most to the fore though as he produced the assist that led to Belgium’s equaliser on 51 minutes scored by Radja Nainggolan.

Harrison Reed and Matt Targett starred for the England under-20s as they won the four nation tournament in Holland.

After victories against Germany and the host nation in the space of just a few days, England faced Turkey in the final match.

Reed and Targett had started against the Germans and were rested for the game against the Dutch but were recalled for the all important clash against Turkey.

As it turned out England secured a 1-1 draw, with Targett’s free kick helping to create the goal for his country, and with it the title.

Targett captained the side while Reed played 75 minutes in a game that saw both sides reduced to ten men late on.

Victor Wanyama captained Kenya for their friendly game against Morocco in Marrakech but it was not a happy occasion as they finished up losing 3-0.