Karim Konate has certainly been enjoying the international break with the Ivory Coast! Les Éléphants made a dream start to World Cup qualification with a 9-0 thumping of the Seychelles! Our 19-year-old attacker had a fantastic match with two goals and two assists. At 17:00 CET they face Gambia before Konate returns to Salzburg.
Dorgeles Nene and Mali have also enjoyed a successful start to World Cup qualifying. The 3-1 win over Chad featured a substitute appearance from the 20-year-old. They also have another game today at 20:00 CET against the Central African Republic.
Serbia qualify for first Euros
The entire nation is in footballing heaven and Strahinja Pavlovic is in the thick of it! A 2-2 draw against Bulgaria saw the Orlovi secure their very first spot in the Euros. Our centre-back is usually a regular for Serbia but was rested for the decisive qualifier - which did not dent his euphoria in the slightest.
Petar Ratkov was called up for the Serbian U21 squad for a key European qualifier against England. The young Serbs lost 0-3.
Israel (with Oscar Gloukh in the starting line-up) are in danger of missing out on automatic qualification after a 1-2 defeat to Romania in European qualifying! They still have a chance in the spring via the UEFA Nations League-Play-off though. Amar Dedic and Bosnia also have a chance in that after a disappointing qualification campaign.
Leandro Morgalla and Germany U21 are doing batter, having taken their third win in three matches in a European qualifier against Estonia (4-1). Our defensive youngster started and was taken off at half-time. On Tuesday (18:00 CET, ProSieben MAXX) there will be a clash against Poland, who are currently group leaders with 12 points from four matches.
France U21 suffered their first defeat of the qualifying campaign with Lucas Gourna-Douath (who was brought on in the 13th minute). A 0-2 loss was suffered against Austria's youngsters. Our midfield enforcer still has a friendly match against South Korea U21 to contest today.
Still to come
Alexander Schlager is set for action again on Tuesday after a superb EURO 2024 qualifying campaign. Austria host neighbouring Germany for a showcase friendly match at a sold-out Ernst-Happel Stadium in Vienna (live on ORF 1 and ZDF in Austria).
Luka Sucic was ill for Croatia's 2-0 win against Latvia but will be ready to take part again in the crucial final qualifier against Armenia on Tuesday at 20:45 CET (DAZN). A win would take Croatia into the EURO finals.
© Foto Konate: @gelo_graphie
