International break: Provod’s goal, debuts for Sima and Hromada
Six Slavia players joined the Czech team for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (seventh was Tomáš Malínský currently on loan to Mladá Boleslav). Jan Bořil, Ondřej Kúdela and Lukáš Provod were in the starting line-up for all 3 games, Tomáš Holeš started to 2 games from the opening minute, Lukáš Masopust made three caps from the bench and David Zima one.
The Czechs started with 6-2 win over Estonia (former Slavia captain Tomáš Souček scored his first international hat-trick) and continued with a sensational display home against Belgium. Lukáš Provod opened the score beating Courtois from behind the box, Lukaku scored an equaliser shortly afterwards, but the Czechs could easily seize all three points with several chances towards the end of the game. Jan Bořil hit woodwork late on, Souček’s header was blocked on the goal line in the added time.
However, the Czech national team was brought back down to earth with a 0-1 defeat in Wales despite being better team. The Czechs are now second in the group, 3 points behind Belgium and one point ahead of Wales who played one game less.
Ondřej Lingr travelled for the U21 EURO to Slovenia and started to all 3 games of the Czech national team as a centre-froward. The Czechs finished third in the group behind Spain and Italy and did not qualify for the knockout stage. Petar Musa, however, did with the Croatian national team. The striker, currently on loan to Union Berlin, started to the games against Portugal and England.
Abdallah Sima and Jakub Hromada both experienced their first call-ups to the national teams. Sima made his debut for Senegal in a goalless draw against Congo and was part of the starting XI against Eswatini, when he was replaced by Sadio Mané after 65 minutes. Jakub Hromada made his maiden start for Slovakia against Russia, the Slovaks won 2-1 and Hromada played 60 minutes.
Simon Deli made two caps for the Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations. He started on the bench against Niger and played the last 25 minutes followed by full 90 minutes against Ethiopia.
Nicolae Stanciu started to all 3 qualifiers for Romania. The Romanian national team has 3 points from their opening 3 games thanks to the win against North Macedonia, followed by 0-1 defeat against Germany and 2-3 defeat against Armenia.
Oscar Dorley played both friendly games for Liberia against Saudi Arabia U23 (2-3, 0-0). Yusuf Helal started for Bahrain against Jordan.
