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How Leeds United players including Raphinha, Kalvin Phillips fared on international duty

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

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

Eight of those players were spread out across Europe, while winger Raphinha 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.


England: Kalvin Phillips

England's Kalvin Phillips in action with San Marino's Enrico Golinucci on November 15, 2021© Reuters

Results:
November 12: England 5-0 Albania – World Cup qualifier (Wembley Stadium, London)
November 15: San Marino 0-10 England – World Cup qualifier (San Marino Stadium, Serravalle)

Kalvin Phillips earned his 18th and 19th caps for England as they cruised to victory in their final two World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.

The 25-year-old started both matches in centre-midfield, playing for 64 minutes at Wembley Stadium, before enjoying a comfortable first 45 minutes in Serravalle.

Phillips had an average pass completion rate of 94% across the two matches and also made five successful tackles, more than any other England midfielder.


Wales: Daniel James, Tyler Roberts

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

Results:
November 13: Wales 5-1 Belarus – World Cup qualifier (Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff)
November 16: Wales 1-1 Belgium – World Cup qualifier (Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff)

Wales enjoyed a successful end to their World Cup qualification campaign after claiming four points from their final two qualifiers and finishing second in Group E, which helped them to claim a home semi-final in the playoffs.

The Dragons secured their biggest victory in over three years against Belarus, though Daniel James – who started up front alongside Gareth Bale – was unable to contribute to any of the five goals scored in Cardiff. The 24-year-old was replaced in the 67th minute by club teammate Tyler Roberts, who made his 19th international appearance.

Against Belgium, Roberts was an unused substitute, but James started once again in attack and provided an assist for Kieffer Moore midway through the first half, curling in a right-footed cross for the Cardiff City target man to cancel out Kevin De Bruyne's opener.


Scotland: Liam Cooper

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

Results:
November 12: Moldova 0-2 Scotland – World Cup qualifier (Zimbru Stadium, Chisinau)
November 15: Scotland 2-0 Denmark – World Cup qualifier (Hampden Park, Glasgow)

Scotland's brilliant October international break was matched by an equally impressive end to their qualification campaign this month, with two victories without reply against Moldova and Denmark.

Liam Cooper played the full 90 minutes in the middle of a back three in both qualifiers, helping the Tartan Army keep two clean sheets.

The 30-year-old centre-back registered his first attacking return as a Scottish international, when his header at the far post set up John Souttar for the opening goal in the 35th minute in front of a rocking Hampden Park crowd.

In addition, Cooper made six successful tackles across the two qualifiers, as well as winning nine aerial duels – six of which were against Moldova, more than any other player on the pitch.


Northern Ireland: Stuart Dallas

Northern Ireland's Stuart Dallas pictured on November 12, 2021© Reuters

Results:
November 12: Northern Ireland 1-0 Lithuania – World Cup qualifier (Windsor Park, Belfast)
November 15: Northern Ireland 0-0 Italy – World Cup qualifier (Windsor Park, Belfast)

Despite failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, Northern Ireland enjoyed a successful end to their qualification campaign, claiming four points from their final two games.

Stuart Dallas played the full 90 minutes in both qualifiers as a right wing-back and helped them keep successive clean sheets, including a surprise shutout against European champions Italy, who are now forced to enter the playoffs to try to book their place in Qatar.

The 30-year-old, who has now earned 56 caps for the national team, came close to scoring his first international goal in over three years against the Azzurri, however his drilled effort in the 80th minute from outside the penalty area fizzed narrowly passed the left-hand post.


Poland: Mateusz Klich

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

Results:
November 12: Andorra 1-4 Poland – World Cup qualifier (Estadi Nacional, Andorra la Vella)
November 15: Poland 1-2 Hungary – World Cup qualifier (Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw)

Mateusz Klich earned his 37th and 38th caps for Poland, who progressed into the World Cup playoffs after finishing second in Group I behind England.

The 31-year-old started in an advanced midfield position against Andorra, in behind central strikers Robert Lewandowski and Arkadiusz Milik, and lasted 64 minutes before being replaced by Krzysztof Piatek.

Klich then played the full 90 minutes against Hungary, however the Eagles were condemned to their first home defeat in World Cup qualification since March 2013.

The experienced midfielder made six successful tackles between the two matches, including three against Andorra – the joint most by any player at the Estadi Nacional.


Brazil: Raphinha

Brazil's Raphinha celebrates with Neymar on October 14, 2021© Reuters

Results:
November 12: Brazil 1-0 Colombia – World Cup qualifier (Corinthians Arena, Sao Paulo)
November 16: Argentina 0-0 Brazil – World Cup qualifier (Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan)

After starring for Brazil in his first three games for the national side in October, Raphinha received another call-up this month and was rewarded with starts in both qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.

Wearing the number 19 shirt, the 24-year-old operated on the right-flank in Sao Paulo before being taken off in the 64th minute, eight minutes before Lucas Paqueta broke the deadlock for the Selecao.

Against Argentina, Raphinha began again on his favoured right-hand side, joining Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha in a three-man attack. However, the winger – along with his teammates – struggled to find an opening against a resilient Argentine backline and was replaced in the 69th minute by Antony.

Raphinha is now set to fly back to the UK and join up with his Leeds teammates ahead of Sunday's Premier League encounter in London against Tottenham Hotspur.


England Under-21s: Charlie Cresswell, Cody Drameh

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

Results:
November 11: England Under-21s 3-1 Czech Republic Under-21s – Euro 2023 qualifier (Turf Moor, Burnley)
November 16: Georgia Under-21s 3-2 England Under-21s – Friendly (Batumi Stadium, Batumi)

Promising full-back Cody Drameh was called up to the Under-21s squad for the first time this month, but he was unable to make his first start as he watched on from the bench in both matches against the Czech Republic and Georgia.

As for Charlie Cresswell, he came on as a substitute in the 89th minute at Turf Moor, before playing the full 90 minutes at the heart of the defence in Batumi. However, the 19-year-old centre-back could not prevent the Three Lions from conceding three goals against Georgia.

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Leeds United attacker Raphinha pictured on July 31, 2021
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