Praet Scores First Belgium Goal As Seven Foxes Feature
- Dennis Praet scored in Belgium’s 8-0 win over Belarus on Tuesday, as Youri Tielemans also featured
- Leicester City duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi starred in Nigeria’s win against Lesotho
- Shot-stopper Danny Ward kept a clean sheet as Wales beat Czech Republic
- Foxes midfielder Papy Mendy made his second appearance for Senegal
- Çağlar Söyüncü also featured in a 3-3 draw for Turkey
Praet’s superb second-half strike from outside the box against Belarus, in his hometown Leuven, came after a dominant first period for the Red Devils, which included an assist for the 26-year-old at King Power at Den Dreef Stadium.
After setting up his country's fourth goal of the evening, finished by Jérémy Doku, Praet produced the moment of the game with a stunning 30-yard strike that beat Aleksandr Gutor at his near post in an 8-0 victory for Roberto Martínez's side.
Continuing his return to full fitness from a hamstring injury, Leicester's No.26 was eventually replaced by City team-mate Youri Tielemans on 71 minutes, who came on for his 37th senior cap. Timothy Castagne was an unused substitute in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Elsewhere in the same qualifying group, Danny Ward recorded a crucial shutout as Wales secured a 1-0 success over Czech Republic in Cardiff. Making his 11th appearance for his country, the Foxes goalkeeper kept his fifth international clean sheet as Dan James' goal gave the hosts all three points.
Belgium currently top Group E with seven points from three games, while Wales are third, with three points from two outings, at the early stage of the qualifying campaign.
Earlier in the evening, meanwhile, Nigerian Foxes duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi both started for the Super Eagles in a 3-0 triumph over Lesotho.
After seven goals in his last four games for Leicester, Iheanacho turned provider for the hosts’ opening goal. The 24 year-old played a brilliant ball over the top of the Lesotho defence for his strike partner Victor Osimhen, who converted from a tight angle on 23 minutes.
Ndidi, earning his 38th senior cap, joined Oghenekaro Etebo in the Nigeria midfield and it was the Galatasaray man who doubled their lead before the break.
The victory was tied up for the hosts at Moshood Abiola National Stadium when Paul Onuachu struck with seven minutes remaining.
With a place at the 2021 CAF Africa Cup of Nations already secured for Nigeria, victory on Tuesday evening maintained their unbeaten record in Group L of qualifying. They sit top, on 14 points, having won four and drawn two of their six fixtures.
Also in AFCON qualifying, a late goal from Cheikhou Kouyaté rescued a 1-1 draw as Papy Mendy made his second appearance for Senegal against Eswatini.
Mendy’s insightful ball forward in added time eventually made its way to Crystal Palace midfielder Kouyaté, who snatched a point for the Lions. They top Group I having also secured 14 points, five more than second-placed Guinea-Bissau.
Wrapping up Tuesday's international action, Çağlar Söyüncü’s Turkey were held to a 3-3 draw by Latvia in World Cup qualifying.
Despite leading 3-1 with just under an hour played, the Crescent-Stars had to make do with a point at Ataturk Olympic Stadium but still sit top of Group G after three games played.
On Wednesday, on the other hand, Kasper Schmeichel and Jonny Evans could feature for Denmark and Northern Ireland respectively, while Wesley Fofana's France Under-21s face Iceland in Hungary.