Declan Rice was on the scoresheet again for England as the Three Lions triumphed 3-1 against Finland to get their Nations League campaign back on track.
Our man was on the field for the majority of the game in Helsinki, and he popped up with a goal in the 84th minute after making a brilliant run from his own box to tap home Ollie Watkins’ centre to wrap up the win for Lee Carlsey’s team, who had earlier netted through Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Rice makes it 3️⃣!
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) October 13, 2024
But this one is all about Ollie Watkins 👏👏👏#ITVFootball | #FINENG pic.twitter.com/SWrHwSsITb
That was Dec’s second goal in his last four internationals, and his fourth goal in total for his country on what was his 60th cap. After coming off against Greece the previous Thursday, Bukayo Saka didn't feature for England, who now trail group leaders Greece by three points ahead of next month’s deciding games.
Spain jumped into pole position in their League A group by beating Denmark in Murcia, thanks to Martin Zubimendi’s 79th-minute strike. David Raya kept another clean sheet for his nation - his third in his last four caps, while Mikel Merino appeared off the bench in the 62nd minute.
The reigning European and Nations League champions now host Serbia on Tuesday looking to keep themselves on top spot, as they look to secure a chance to retain their title, with David once again set to line up between the posts and reach 10 caps for his country.
Jakub Kiwior came off the bench at half-time with his side trailing 2-0 to Portugal, but couldn’t help them to victory in Warsaw as a late Jan Bednarek own goal saw the visitors claim a 3-1 success.
Speaking afterwards, he said; “We looked good with the ball in parts. We created our own situations. Portugal has top players. It was visible today that they can create a situation out of nothing with one pass and end it with a goal. I just had to go out. I know what we trained for, I was prepared and I had to play my game.”
That result leaves Poland third in their group, six behind leaders Portugal and three behind Croatia, with the two facing off in a potentially huge game on Tuesday.
In Africa, Thomas Partey was forced to withdraw from Ghana’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers with Sudan, with the Black Stars drawing 0-0 in Accra on Saturday.
FULL LIST OF CALL-UPS
all times BST
Thursday, October 10
Israel 1-4 France | Nations League
Saliba played 90 minutes
Italy 2-2 Belgium Nations League
Trossard played 90 minutes, scored and got an assist, Calafiori played 90 minutes
England 1-2 Greece | Nations League
Rice played 90 minutes, Saka played 51 minutes
Friday, October 11
Peru 1-2 Brazil | World Cup qualifier
Gabriel played 90 minutes, Martinelli came on in the 85th minute
Saturday, October 12
Spain 1-0 Denmark | Nations League
Raya played 90 minutes, Merino came on in 62nd minute
Poland 1-3 Portugal | Nations League
Kiwior came on at half-time
Sunday, October 13
Finland 1-3 England | Nations League
Rice played 85 minutes and scored, Saka didn't feature
Monday, October 14
Belgium (Trossard) v France (Saliba)
Nations League | Brussels | 7.45pm
Italy (Calafiori) v Israel
Nations League | Udine | 7.45pm
Tuesday, October 15
Spain (Raya, Merino) v Serbia
Nations League | Cordoba | 7.45pm
Poland (Kiwior) v Croatia
Nations League | Warsaw | 7.45pm
Wednesday, October 16
Brazil (Martinelli, Gabriel) v Peru
World Cup qualifier | Brasilia | 1.45am
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