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How Leeds United players including Raphinha, Daniel James fared on international duty

Sports Mole round up which Leeds United players were in action for their respective nations during October's international break.

Marcelo Bielsa will welcome back the six first-team players to his Leeds United side who have been representing their country during October's international break.

The Argentine boss was also keeping an eye on six academy players who represented England's Under-21 and Under-20s teams this month.

Eleven Leeds players were spread out across Europe, while winger Raphinha was the only first-team member who plied his trade in South America with Brazil.

Here, Sports Mole round up which Leeds players were in action for their respective nations and how they fared on international duty.


Brazil: Raphinha

Leeds United attacker Raphinha pictured on July 31, 2021© Reuters

Results:
October 8: Venezuela 1-3 Brazil – World Cup qualifier (Estadio Olimpico de la UCV, Caracas)
October 10: Colombia 0-0 Brazil – World Cup qualifier (Estadio Metropolitano, Barranquilla)
October 15: Brazil vs. Uruguay – World Cup qualifier (Amazonia Arena, Manaus)

After Raphinha was unable to join up with the Brazil squad last month, the skilful winger finally made his international debut against Venezuela. With Tite's side struggling to break down the hosts who were a goal ahead, the 24-year-old was brought on at half time to provide a much-needed spark in the final third, and he certainly made an impact.

Raphinha provided two assists in the final 20 minutes for Marquinhos and Antony, to help Brazil turn the game on its head and maintain their 100% record in Qualifying.

Against Colombia, the winger began on the bench again before coming on just after the hour mark, however he, along with the likes of Neymar, were unable to find a breakthrough against a resilient Colombia backline.

After two impressive substitute appearances, Tite is now set to hand Raphinha his first senior start against Uruguay on October 15, which would see the winger miss Leeds's Premier League clash against Southampton the following day.


Wales: Daniel James, Tyler Roberts

dDaniel James celebrates scoring for Wales on October 8, 2021© Reuters

Results:
October 8: Czech Republic 2-2 Wales – World Cup qualifier (Eden Arena, Prague-Vrsovice)
October 11: Estonia 0-1 Wales – World Cup qualifier (Lillekula Stadium, Tallinn)

In the absence of Welsh talisman Gareth Bale, Daniel James was the man called upon to partner target man Kieffer Moore up front, and he certainly caused problems for the Czech Republic.

After a bizarre 49th-minute own goal from goalkeeper Danny Ward had given the hosts the lead, Wales equalised 20 minutes later when James timed his run in behind to perfection, before slotting his strike across the face of goal into the bottom left corner, to score his second goal in successive games against the Czechs.

James also played the full 90 minutes against Estonia, in which Moore bundled in the only goal of the game. As for Tyler Roberts, he came on for the final four minutes in Prague before watching on from the bench against Estonia.


Scotland: Liam Cooper

Scotland's Liam Cooper celebrates after the match with Andy Robertson on October 9, 2021© Reuters

Results:
October 9: Scotland 3-2 Israel – World Cup qualifier (Hampden Park, Glasgow)
October 12: Faroe Islands 0-1 Scotland – World Cup qualifier (Torsvollur, Torshavn)

Liam Cooper came on in the dying embers of both matches as Scotland were clinging on by narrow one-goal margins in their two crucial World Cup qualifiers.

The 30-year-old was brought on with seconds to spare after Scott McTominay bundled in a dramatic 94th minute winner for Steve Clarke's side against Israel. Cooper then slotted into the backline for the final few minutes to help the Scots hold on for a slender victory against the Faroe Islands.

Cooper now has 11 international caps to his name and, along with his Scottish teammates, is edging closer to securing a place in the second round of qualifying for next year's tournament.


Poland: Mateusz Klich

Poland's Mateusz Klich and Michal Helik applaud fans after the match on October 12, 2021© Reuters

Results:
October 9: Poland 5-0 San Marino – World Cup qualifier (Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw)
October 12: Albania 0-1 Poland – World Cup qualifier (Arena Kombetare, Tirana)

Mateusz Klich earned his 35th and 36th caps for Poland, playing in centre-midfield for the first 45 minutes against San Marino, before coming on at half time against Albania.

Poland struggled to break down Albania in what was a crucial encounter for two teams seeking to finish behind England in Group I. However, the deadlock was finally broken when Klich whipped in a delightful ball from the edge of the penalty area towards the far post for Karol Swiderski, who tapped in from close range.

The Polish celebrations resulted in several home supporters throwing objects at the visiting players, which forced the match to be suspended for over 20 minutes.

However, both nations returned to the field to compete the game, with Poland holding on for all three points, leapfrogging Albania into second place.


Northern Ireland: Stuart Dallas, Alfie McCalmont (on loan at Morecambe)

Stuart Dallas pictured for Leeds United in October 2020© Reuters

Results:
October 9: Switzerland 2-0 Northern Ireland – World Cup qualifier (Stade de Geneve, Geneva)
October 12: Bulgaria 2-1 Northern Ireland – World Cup qualifier (Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia)

Northern Ireland's hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup are now over as Stuart Dallas and co suffered successive defeats away against Switzerland and Bulgaria.

Alfie McCalmont, who has impressed out on loan with League One side Morecambe, was unable to add to his four senior caps, while Dallas featured in both qualifiers this month.

Dallas started in Geneva on the right side of midfield before being replaced four minutes from time, and then began on the bench against Bulgaria, coming on in the 67th minute shortly after the hosts had turned the game on its head.


England Under-21s: Charlie Cresswell, Joseph Gelhardt

Leeds United's Liam Cooper with Charlie Cresswell pictured on September 25, 2021© Reuters

Results:
October 7: Andorra Under-21 0-1 England Under-21s – Euro 2023 qualifier (Estadi Nacional, Andorra la Vella)

Charlie Cresswell and Joseph Gelhardt are still waiting to make their debuts for the Under-21s, as they were both unused substitutes in England's narrow win over Andorra.

Cresswell received his first call-up in August, while Gelhardt was brought into the squad this month as a replacement for the injured Noni Madueke.

Gelhardt's impressive form in Premier League 2 earned him a late call up, after scoring six goals in as many league appearances so far this season, while Cresswell has already caught the eye of Bielsa, who handed the defender his Premier League debut against West Ham United last month.


England Under-20s: Sam Greenwood, Lewis Bate, Cody Drameh

Leeds United's Cody Drameh pictured on August 21, 2021© Reuters

Results:
October 7: England Under-20s 1-1 Italy Under-20s – Friendly (Venue Technique Stadium, Chesterfield)
October 10: Czech Republic Under 20s 0-5 England Under-20s – Friendly (Venue AGC Arena Na Stinadlech, Teplice)

Marcelo Bielsa was one of over 6,000 in attendance for England Under-20's encounter with Italy, which saw midfielder Lewis Bate score his first international goal to cancel out a first-half strike from Daniel Maldini, the son of the legendary AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini.

Bate was joined in the starting lineup by Sam Greenwood and Cody Drameh who played up front and at right-back respectively.

Against the Czech Republic, all three players were dropped to the bench with both Bate and Greenwood coming on for the final 20 minutes with the score at 3-0.


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Leeds United attacker Raphinha pictured on July 31, 2021
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