Ayari and Minteh in the goals on October international duty
Yasin Ayari and Yankubu Minteh were amongst the goals during the first round of October international matches as numerous Brighton players represented their countries.
Minteh scored a dramatic 97th minute equaliser to salvage a draw for Gambia in a 1-1 AFCON qualification away draw against Madagascar.
After tricky and teasing the Madagascar left back, Minteh delivered a vicious in-swinging cross. It missed everyone including home goalkeer Sonny Laiton on its way to nestling in the far corner.
The point prevented Gambia slipping below Madagascar to the bottom of qualifying Group A. Tunisia lead the way with six points from three matches, followed closely by Comoros on five points.
Ayari opened the scoring for Sweden after 25 minutes of their UEFA Nations League game away in Slovakia via an acrobatic scissor kick.
A Dejan Kulusevski cross was deflected by a Slovakian defender. Ayari threw himself into the air and slammed a spectacular first goal for his nation.
Ken Sema doubled the Swedish lead seven minutes later but they ended up having to settle for a point. Two goals from David Stretlec ensuring it finished 2-2 in Bratislava.
As Ayari and Minteh shine during their international appearances, football fans might also be interested in exploring gaming platforms. For Dutch players, Dutch online casinos provide a variety of games and features that can enhance your online gaming experience.
Staying in Europe and Evan Ferguson got valuable minutes under his belt, starting both Nation League games for the Republic of Ireland.
Thursday night saw the Boys in Green win 2-1 away against Finland. Robbie Brady scored an 88th minute winner with Ferguson looking lively throughout, creating a couple of opportunities to end his goal drought stretching back almost 11 months to November 2023.
It was less good news for the Republic on Sunday night as they lost 2-0 to Greece. Ferguson perhaps should have done better when failing to hit the target when a chance fell to him after only four minutes.
He and strike partner Tory Parrott saw little of the ball otherwise as the Greeks dominated to extend their perfect record to four wins from four Nations League matches so far.
Hungary and the Netherlands played out a 1-1 draw with Bart Verbruggen playing for the Dutch. There was nothing Vebrruggen could do about the first half header from Roland Sallai which gave Hungary the lead.
Virgil van Dijk then saw red for the Netherlands before Denzel Dumfries equalised with seven minutes remaining. Given the circumstances, this was a decent point for the Dutch. Mats Wieffer was an unused substitute.
Jakub Moder came off the bench for Poland after 66 minutes of their Nations League home match against Portugal.
The visitors led 1-0 at the time. They soon doubled the advantage through a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Poland pulled one back via Piotr Zielinski but an 88th minute own goal from Southampton defender Jan Bednarek meant it finished 3-1 to Portugal.
Back to AFCON, where Carlos Baleba was stretchered off as Cameroon beat Kenya 4-1. Cue mass concern amongst Albion supporters, even as Baleba looked very confused as to why he was being carried from the field.
He then got up once at the side of the pitch and walked away, suggesting the problem was in no way serious enough to require the use of a stretcher.
Japan continue to enjoy a fine World Cup qualifying campaign. Their latest victory was a 2-0 success away against Saudi Arabia with Kaoru Mitoma playing 88 minutes.
Last but by no means least, Ecuador against Paraguay saw Pervis Estupinan at left wing back marking Julio Enciso on the right side of the visitor’s front three. Estupinan edged the battle as it finished goalless.
