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Sublime Suarez, disappointing Dzeko & brilliant Balotelli - how the Premier League's stars performed on international duty
Goal.com assesses how the players from England's top flight performed while on international duty in the various qualifiers, play-offs and friendlies around the globe
16 Nov 2011 12:21:00
Getty Images
ANALYSIS
By Stephen Darwin
With crucial qualification games and play-off deciders, as well as a number of glamour (or meaningless, depending on your point of view) friendlies, there was international action on show across the globe featuring a plethora of Premier League stars over the past week.
The Republic of Ireland were vying to reach their first European Championship finals since 1988 as they faced up to Estonia; Togo were looking to book a place in the second phase of African qualification for the 2014 World Cup; and Brazil were doing their utmost to deal with the treachery that was the pitch at the Stade Omnisport Président Omar Bongo Ondimba - yes, that one - as they met Gabon.
Goal.com gives you a run down of the very best, and at times worst, of the action involving the Premier League's contingent from the latest round of international fixtures.
There is surely only one place to start, and that's Montevideo - the setting for Friday's World Cup qualifier between Uruguay and Chile where Liverpool striker Luis Suarez stole all the headlines and more.
Even before his four-goal salvo, the 24-year-old had already flashed a shot inches wide and smashed a free kick against the bar, but the net would finally bulge after 42 minutes and he added his second before half-time. He wasn't done there, though, as the forward, who has taken the Premier League by storm since his arrival in January, added two more before the full-time whistle to cap a quite memorable night.
The Republic of Ireland made sure that Poland and Ukraine will be awashed with a sea of green come the Euro 2012 finals next summer as an emphatic 4-0 win away in Estonia in the first leg of their play-off ensured there was a party atmosphere in Dublin for the return meeting as a 1-1 draw proved enough for Giovanni Trapattoni's men. Goals from Blackburn's Keith Andrews, currently on loan at Ipswich, and Stoke City's Jonathan Walters, as well as a Robbie Keane brace, did the damage in Tallinn before Wolves' Stephen Ward smashed home at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Portugal were another side to book their place at the Euro 2012 finals as, following a 0-0 draw in the play-off first leg against Bosnia & Herzegovina, two goals apiece for Cristiano Ronaldo and former Tottenham striker Helder Postiga, as well as one from Manchester United winger Nani and Miguel Veloso, secured a 6-2 win on the night in the return leg.
After watching him score with a terrific long-range strike against Poland, Italy boss Cesare Prandelli suggested that his side could become dependent on Mario Balotelli. The 21-year-old is starting to show just what all the fuss is about after a difficult start to his career, both in England with Manchester City and previously during his time with Inter, with his 30-yard strike in the 2-0 friendly win over Poland leaving Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with no chance.
Elsewhere Sunderland loan star Nicklas Bendtner enjoyed a productive international break as he scored twice for Denmark in two games: in a 2-0 win against Sweden and again, along with Daniel Agger, in the 2-1 triumph over Finland. Sergio Aguero found the net as Argentina edged out Colombia in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier while a rejuvenated Wales smashed Norway 4-1 with Tottenham's Gareth Bale, as well as Wolves' Sam Vokes and Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy, on the scoresheet.
Also on the scoresheet were Stoke's Kenwyne Jones (who got two in two games for Trinidad & Tobago), Tottenham's Vedran Corluka (who helped secure Croatia a place in the Euro 2012 finals) and Sandro, QPR's Jamie Mackie (with his first international goal in Scotland's 2-1 victory over Cyprus), Fulham's Clint Dempsey, Arsenal's Park Chu-Young.
He may not have scored, but Emmanuel Adebayor deserves a mention as he returned to international football for the first time since the horrific shootings that targeted the Togo team bus at the 2010 African Cup of Nations.
First up is 'world beaters' England, who claimed the scalp of Spain, albeit a tad fortuitously having been penned in their own half for the majority of the game. Led by the tireless Scott Parker and aided by useful contributions from Joleon Lescott and the rest of the back four, the Three Lions defended admirably to sneak the 1-0 win courtesy of Frank Lampard's close-range header at Wembley. Fast forward three days and, in his first start in an England shirt, Kyle Walker took the plaudits as Gareth Barry popped up, with the aid of a deflection, to nod home as Fabio Capello's side ensured they would finish unbeaten for the whole of 2011.
Belgium put on a resolute defensive display as they kept out the French on their own patch. Thomas Vermaelen and Vincent Kompany formed a solid centre-back partnership in front of Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, currently on loan at Atletico Madrid, who was winning his first cap for his country. It wasn't all doom and gloom for France, though, who claimed a 1-0 win over the USA as Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny stepped in and helped his side claim a clean sheet in what was his first appearance for Les Bleus.
Liverpool centre-back Sebastian Coates played a half as Uruguay kept Italy at bay on Tuesday while Petr Cech, wearing a mask to support his broken nose sustained for Chelsea against Blackburn, stood firm to keep two clean sheets as the Czech Republic eased past Montenegro, and Manchester City's Stefan Savic, to claim a place at the Euro 2012 finals.
There are some Premier League stars who will return to their clubs in less than buoyant mood, however. Branislav Ivanovic and Serbia made it four games without a win as they slumped to defeats against Mexico - with Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez finding the net - and Honduras in the space of three days.
After coming away from Wembley with nothing - where Pepe Reina conceded and Cesc Fabregas managed to miss when it was easier to score - the Spanish were somewhat fortunate to escape with a draw having gone two goals down against Costa Rica. Arsenal youngster Joel Campbell amongst the scorers before Manchester City's David Silva and, right at the death, David Villa cancelled out the arrears.
It was a similarly disappointing week for Bosnia & Herzegovina, who had initially performed so well to finish in second in Euro 2012 qualification Group D, as the in-form Edin Dzeko failed to inspire his side past Portugal in the two-legged play-off, with Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic's luck clearly out as he conceded six goals in Lisbon in the second leg.
We end our world tour with the Netherlands who, after having topped Euro 2012 Group E and lost just once in 10 games, scoring 37 goals in the process, came unstuck in their two most recent friendlies as the likes of Robin van Persie, John Heitinga, Dirk Kuyt and Nigel de Jong all had to take their share of the blame following a 0-0 draw at home against Switzerland and a crushing 3-0 defeat to bitter rivals Germany to make it three games without a win for Bert van Marwijk's side.
Follow Stephen Darwin on
By Stephen Darwin
With crucial qualification games and play-off deciders, as well as a number of glamour (or meaningless, depending on your point of view) friendlies, there was international action on show across the globe featuring a plethora of Premier League stars over the past week.
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The Republic of Ireland were vying to reach their first European Championship finals since 1988 as they faced up to Estonia; Togo were looking to book a place in the second phase of African qualification for the 2014 World Cup; and Brazil were doing their utmost to deal with the treachery that was the pitch at the Stade Omnisport Président Omar Bongo Ondimba - yes, that one - as they met Gabon.
Goal.com gives you a run down of the very best, and at times worst, of the action involving the Premier League's contingent from the latest round of international fixtures.
| GOALS GALORE |
There is surely only one place to start, and that's Montevideo - the setting for Friday's World Cup qualifier between Uruguay and Chile where Liverpool striker Luis Suarez stole all the headlines and more.
Even before his four-goal salvo, the 24-year-old had already flashed a shot inches wide and smashed a free kick against the bar, but the net would finally bulge after 42 minutes and he added his second before half-time. He wasn't done there, though, as the forward, who has taken the Premier League by storm since his arrival in January, added two more before the full-time whistle to cap a quite memorable night.
The Republic of Ireland made sure that Poland and Ukraine will be awashed with a sea of green come the Euro 2012 finals next summer as an emphatic 4-0 win away in Estonia in the first leg of their play-off ensured there was a party atmosphere in Dublin for the return meeting as a 1-1 draw proved enough for Giovanni Trapattoni's men. Goals from Blackburn's Keith Andrews, currently on loan at Ipswich, and Stoke City's Jonathan Walters, as well as a Robbie Keane brace, did the damage in Tallinn before Wolves' Stephen Ward smashed home at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Portugal were another side to book their place at the Euro 2012 finals as, following a 0-0 draw in the play-off first leg against Bosnia & Herzegovina, two goals apiece for Cristiano Ronaldo and former Tottenham striker Helder Postiga, as well as one from Manchester United winger Nani and Miguel Veloso, secured a 6-2 win on the night in the return leg.
After watching him score with a terrific long-range strike against Poland, Italy boss Cesare Prandelli suggested that his side could become dependent on Mario Balotelli. The 21-year-old is starting to show just what all the fuss is about after a difficult start to his career, both in England with Manchester City and previously during his time with Inter, with his 30-yard strike in the 2-0 friendly win over Poland leaving Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with no chance.
Elsewhere Sunderland loan star Nicklas Bendtner enjoyed a productive international break as he scored twice for Denmark in two games: in a 2-0 win against Sweden and again, along with Daniel Agger, in the 2-1 triumph over Finland. Sergio Aguero found the net as Argentina edged out Colombia in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier while a rejuvenated Wales smashed Norway 4-1 with Tottenham's Gareth Bale, as well as Wolves' Sam Vokes and Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy, on the scoresheet.
Also on the scoresheet were Stoke's Kenwyne Jones (who got two in two games for Trinidad & Tobago), Tottenham's Vedran Corluka (who helped secure Croatia a place in the Euro 2012 finals) and Sandro, QPR's Jamie Mackie (with his first international goal in Scotland's 2-1 victory over Cyprus), Fulham's Clint Dempsey, Arsenal's Park Chu-Young.
He may not have scored, but Emmanuel Adebayor deserves a mention as he returned to international football for the first time since the horrific shootings that targeted the Togo team bus at the 2010 African Cup of Nations.
| DEFEND FOR YOUR LIVES |
First up is 'world beaters' England, who claimed the scalp of Spain, albeit a tad fortuitously having been penned in their own half for the majority of the game. Led by the tireless Scott Parker and aided by useful contributions from Joleon Lescott and the rest of the back four, the Three Lions defended admirably to sneak the 1-0 win courtesy of Frank Lampard's close-range header at Wembley. Fast forward three days and, in his first start in an England shirt, Kyle Walker took the plaudits as Gareth Barry popped up, with the aid of a deflection, to nod home as Fabio Capello's side ensured they would finish unbeaten for the whole of 2011.
Belgium put on a resolute defensive display as they kept out the French on their own patch. Thomas Vermaelen and Vincent Kompany formed a solid centre-back partnership in front of Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, currently on loan at Atletico Madrid, who was winning his first cap for his country. It wasn't all doom and gloom for France, though, who claimed a 1-0 win over the USA as Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny stepped in and helped his side claim a clean sheet in what was his first appearance for Les Bleus.
Liverpool centre-back Sebastian Coates played a half as Uruguay kept Italy at bay on Tuesday while Petr Cech, wearing a mask to support his broken nose sustained for Chelsea against Blackburn, stood firm to keep two clean sheets as the Czech Republic eased past Montenegro, and Manchester City's Stefan Savic, to claim a place at the Euro 2012 finals.
| OUT OF LUCK |
There are some Premier League stars who will return to their clubs in less than buoyant mood, however. Branislav Ivanovic and Serbia made it four games without a win as they slumped to defeats against Mexico - with Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez finding the net - and Honduras in the space of three days.
After coming away from Wembley with nothing - where Pepe Reina conceded and Cesc Fabregas managed to miss when it was easier to score - the Spanish were somewhat fortunate to escape with a draw having gone two goals down against Costa Rica. Arsenal youngster Joel Campbell amongst the scorers before Manchester City's David Silva and, right at the death, David Villa cancelled out the arrears.
It was a similarly disappointing week for Bosnia & Herzegovina, who had initially performed so well to finish in second in Euro 2012 qualification Group D, as the in-form Edin Dzeko failed to inspire his side past Portugal in the two-legged play-off, with Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic's luck clearly out as he conceded six goals in Lisbon in the second leg.
We end our world tour with the Netherlands who, after having topped Euro 2012 Group E and lost just once in 10 games, scoring 37 goals in the process, came unstuck in their two most recent friendlies as the likes of Robin van Persie, John Heitinga, Dirk Kuyt and Nigel de Jong all had to take their share of the blame following a 0-0 draw at home against Switzerland and a crushing 3-0 defeat to bitter rivals Germany to make it three games without a win for Bert van Marwijk's side.
Follow Stephen Darwin on
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