SAINTS’ international stars stole the show over the weekend securing vital points on their country’s route to Qatar 2022 for the FIFA World Cup.
European qualifying has reached the halfway point, with just over a year until the competition kicks off and tables beginning to take shape.
Here's how the international Saints fared...
On Saturday 4 September,
Moi Elyounoussi added to an Erling Haaland penalty opener as Norway defeated Latvia 2-0 away to get three crucial points en-route to Qatar.
The Saints man contributed a neat left-footed finish to seal all three points and send them temporarily top of Group G with 10 points.
The group is a closely run contest, though, with victories from Turkey and The Netherlands later in the evening see them on 11 and 10 points respectively – only the group winner qualifies automatically, while the second advance to another round.
Che Adams was a 65th minute substitute as Scotland crept to a 1-0 home win over Moldova, keeping their qualification dream alive.
Lyndon Dyke’s tap-in gave them an early lead and nobody in the Tartan Army could add to it, but the three points take Scotland up to third in the group behind second-place Israel and runaway leaders Denmark, ahead of the Vienna trip on Tuesday 7 September.
Steve Clarke’s men are two points behind Israel, and just one ahead of next opponents Austria at the halfway mark of qualifying.
On Sunday 5 September,
Jan Bednarek was an unused sub in Poland’s 7-1 victory in San Marino, which saw Robert Lewandowski score twice.
The result means they are second place to England ahead of the clash with Gareth Southgate on Wednesday, five points behind after five games played.
Armando Broja stole the show after being left out of the matchday squad entirely when Albania lost 4-1 to Poland last week.
On this occasion, the Chelsea loanee made his mark from the bench with a superb 87th minute solo-run and finish to snatch all three points at home to Hungary – with his first senior international goal.
With three wins and two losses, Albania are only one point behind Poland in second-place.
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