- Tomas Soucek’s Czechia beat Mads Hermansen’s Denmark to qualify for the World Cup
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s DR Congo also qualified with a win over Jamaica
- Mateus Fernandes earned his first senior Portugal appearance
West Ham United’s international contingent rounded up their games with their nations last night. For some, there was a lot at stake, playing to get their countries to the World Cup and for other’s it was about making an impact on the international stage.
Tomas Soucek faced Mads Hermansen for a place at this summer’s tournament whilst Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s DR Congo were playing Jamaica for their ticket to North America.
Mateus Fernandes was looking to make his senior debut for Portugal and West Ham‘s captain, Jarrod Bowen was looking to make an impact on England boss Thomas Tuchel.
World Cup playoff Hammers
Tomas Soucek faced off with Mads Hermansen in Prague, with both teams after the golden prize.
The home side came into the game after beating the Republic of Ireland and were determined to make their first World Cup since 2006.
Pavel Sulc would give Czechia the lead before Joachim Andersen’s header for Denmark forced the game into extra-time. Ladislav Krejci would look to give the home side the all important goal but Kasper Waarts Hogh would hit back immediately to send the game to penalties.
Tomas Chory would net his spot kick for Czechia after Rasmus Hojlund hit the bar. Christian Eriksen got Denmark off the mark before Soucek smashed his penalty home.
Hermansen would stop Kejci’s spot kick, but as Mathias Jensen missed and Michael Sadilek scored, Denmark would miss out with Czechia booking their place.
Also booking his place in North America was Aaron Wan-Bissaka. His DR Congo side beat Jamaica in extra-time, with Axel Tuanzebe scoring the qualification goal.
The already qualified West Ham players
El Hadji Diouf played for Senengal once again, notching an assist to help his nation to a 3-1 win over Gambia in Dakar.
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen earned his 22nd cap for England as he looked to convince Three Lions boss, Thomas Tuchel of his worth.
Bowen came on for the last 31 minutes but could not create the equalizer as England lost 1-0 to Japan. This was the last camp before Tuchel names his initial squad in May with the 29-year-old hoping he can keep up his on-pitch form and force a way in.
Mateus Fernandes made his long-awaited senior Portugal debut in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Fernandes replaced Bruno Fernandes for the final five minutes of the nation’s 2-0 win over the United States in Atlanta.
