A number of Leeds United players have been in action for their respective countries over the latest international break. Here we take a look at the Whites stars who represented their nations at senior level…
Liam Cooper- Scotland
It was a great international window for Leeds United captain Liam Cooper and Scotland. The central defender played an integral role against Moldova and Denmark, keeping back-to-back clean sheets. Scotland won 2-0 away against Moldova to secure second spot in World Cup European Qualification Group F behind Denmark and a place in the World Cup Play-Offs. Scotland then hosted Denmark at Hampden Park in their final Qualifier, who had won every game in Group F going into the match. Scotland ended that run, with a 2-0 victory, with Cooper providing the assist for John Souttar’s opener. The result against the Danes, means Scotland will be seeded in the Play-Offs and have a home semi-final, finishing as one of the six best runners-up. Steve Clarke’s side have now won six international matches in a row.
Dan James & Tyler Roberts- Wales
Wales had back-to-back home matches at Cardiff City Stadium in Group E and were looking to secure second spot in Group E behind Belgium. First up were Belarus, with Wales running out 5-1 victors, with James playing 76 minutes, before he was replaced by his Leeds teammate Roberts. That result meant that a point against Belgium in their final game, would be enough to secure second spot and be one of the six seeded teams, resulting in a home Play-Off semi-final. Wales managed to do just that and it was James, who completed 90 minutes, that provided an assist for Keiffer Moore’s equaliser, after Kevin De Bruyne had opened the scoring, with the match finishing 1-1.
Rodrigo & Diego Llorente- Spain
The duo were called up for Spain's final two fixtures in Group B. Rodrigo came off then bench in the 57th minute in Spain's first game away at Greece, helping them to a 1-0 victory. This meant that a positive result against Sweden, who trailed Spain by a point, going into their final game, would secure a place at the FIFA 2022 World Cup. Llorente did not feature in either game, but Rodrigo was again a second half substitute and Spain went on to win the game 1-0 thanks to Alvaro Morata's late goal.
Kalvin Phillips- England
Back in the England squad after missing the last round of international fixtures through injury, Phillips started Group I matches for Gareth Southgate’s side. The midfielder featured for 64 minutes at Albania were beaten 5-0 at Wembley, with all five goals coming in the first half. He then played 45 minutes as the Three Lions were 10-0 away winners away at San Marino. It was the first time England have scored 10 goals in a match, since 1964. The two victories ensured England won Group I, securing their place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Mateusz Klich- Poland
Like Phillips, also in Group I, Klich featured for 64 minutes in Poland’s first match, with Paulo Sousa’s outfit running out 4-1 victors away against Andorra. He then completed 90 minutes on Monday against Hungary, however, couldn’t prevent his side from slipping to a 2-1 home defeat. Poland finished the campaign as runners-up to England, securing a Play-Off place, however their loss to Hungary means they will not be one of the six seeded teams, meaning Poland will have an away semi-final to contend next March.
Stuart Dallas- Northern Ireland
Unfortunately for Dallas, results in the last international window left Northern Ireland unable to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. However, the Green and White Army went down fighting in their final two games in Group C. With both games being held on home soil at Windsor Park, Dallas played 90 minutes in their first match, with Northern Ireland running out 1-0 winners against Lithuania. They then hosted Euro 2020 winners Italy and held them to a 0-0 draw, with Dallas again playing the full game. The final result meant that Italy had to settle for a spot in the Play-Offs behind Switzerland who went on to win Group C. Northern Ireland ended the campaign third.
Raphinha- Brazil
After bursting his way onto the international scene with Brazil in the last international period, Raphinha was again called up by his country for their FIFA 2022 CONMEBOL Qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina. He played 64 minutes in the first match against Colombia, as Brazil were 1-0 victors, securing their World Cup spot. Raphinha also started Brazil’s second match against Argentina, playing 69 minutes in their 0-0 draw.