Round-up: Samp stars on international duty

It’s been a busy time for Sampdoria’s international contingent, who have been involved in a host of friendlies, 2018 World Cup qualifiers and 2017 European Under-21 Championship qualification games over the past weekend.

Luis Muriel played for 70 minutes as Colombia beat Venezuela 2-0 to stay on track for a place at Russia 2018 on Thursday night. James Rodriguez put Los Cafeteros in front on 45 minutes, with Macnelly Torres adding a second nine minutes from time. Jose Pekerman’s side will now take on Brazil in the early hours of Wednesday morning (2:45 CEST).

Karol Linetty’s Poland are also on the World Cup qualification trail, but could only manage a 2-2 draw away at Kazakhstan in their Group E opener. Bartosz Kaputska (8′) and Robert Lewandowski (35) fired Poland into a two-goal lead in Astana on Sunday evening, but Sergei Khizhnichenko found the net in the 52nd and 58th minutes to salvage a point for the hosts. Linetty entered the fray on 83 minutes, but was unable to help Poland find a winner.

At U21 level, Bruno Fernandes’ Portugal had to make do with a 0-0 draw with Israel in their European qualifier on Friday evening. The Samp man played the full game for the Selecao as Portugal maintained their position at their top of their group, meaning they can secure qualification against Greece on 6 September.

Belgium’s European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Malta ended in a 3-2 win for the Belgians, who were captained by Doria talent Dennis Praet until he was replaced at half time. Tielemans (3) and Bongonda (24) looked to have put the Belgians in the driving seat, but Degabriele (74) and a Heylen own-goal (84) saw Malta haul themselves level. Engels stole the headlines with a 90th-minute winner for Belgium, but qualification is still very much in the balance for Praet’s men.

Next up for Belgium is Patrik Schick’s Czech Republic side, the current Group 1 leaders. The Blucerchiati striker scored twice (a 6th-minute penalty and a 9th-minute second) to give the Czechs a comfortable lead over Montenegro on Thursday night, with Cermak completing the scoring seven minutes later.

Luka Krajnc’s Slovenia U21 side fell foul of a late flurry from the Republic of Ireland on Friday evening, Charlsey (87) and Maguire (90+1) robbing the Slovenians of a point in Waterford. The result leaves Slovenia’s second-place standing in Group 2 looking decidedly precarious.

Milan Skriniar played 45 minutes as Slovakia U21s were beaten 3-0 by Germany in a friendly on Friday night. Promel (4), Stark (40) and Oztunali (90) got the goals for Germany. David Ivan – the Samp man on loan at Bari – also played for Slovakia, who take on Cyprus in a European qualifier on Monday evening.