International Recap: Matty Cash and Poland qualify for World Cup, England stars shine
Aston Villa right back Matty Cash booked his ticket to the 2022 World Cup on Tuesday night when his Poland side toppled Sweden, 2-0, in a one-off UEFA qualifying match in Chorzów.
The English-born Cash qualified for Polish citizenship through his mother and declared his availability for the Poland national team in October of 2021.
Just five months later, Cash played a major role in a World Cup qualifying final, helping Poland reach the tournament for the eighth time.
Mings and Watkins score for England
Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins both featured for England this window and each tallied in a 3-0 win over the Ivory Coast at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.
The Villa duo started the international friendly alongside former club captain Jack Grealish. Watkins opened the scoring in the 30th minute when he snuck behind the Ivorian defense and finished off a low cross by Raheem Sterling. It was Watkins’ second international goal in seven appearances.
Mings, starting alongside Harry Maguire in central defense, wrapped the match’s scoring in the 93rd minute when he headed home a corner inside the box.
In 17 England appearances, Mings has had his hand in 14 clean sheets and has scored twice.
McGinn on the mark for Scotland
Scotland, who’s quest for World Cup qualification has been put on hold as a result of the current conflict in Ukraine, conducted a pair of international friendlies this window.
Villa midfielder John McGinn featured in both and scored via a darting run into the Austrian box in a 2-2 draw on Tuesday.
That’s 12 goals now for McGinn in 44 appearances for Scotland. Used in a more advanced role with the national team, McGinn is at his best when on international duty. With Villa, he plays in a more withdrawn role.
Neither Dean Smith nor Steven Gerrard elected to play McGinn higher up the pitch with Villa.
Coutinho and Bailey make WC qualifying appearances
On-loan midfielder Philippe Coutinho was involved for the already-qualified Brazilian national team this break.
He came off the bench and scored the third goal as a sub in a 4-0 win over Chile on March 24 and started in the 4-0 victory over Bolivia on Tuesday. Both matches were World Cup qualifiers.
Leon Bailey started and converted a 39th-minute penalty for Jamaica in a 2-1 win over Honduras last night. Both teams were out of World Cup qualifying contention before the start of the match.
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