Four Foxes Feature On Friday's International Stage

Internationals
13 Oct 2023
2 Minutes
Kelechi Iheanacho scored as Wilfred Ndidi also featured in Nigeria's draw while Wout Faes and Harry Souttar represented their countries on Friday evening.

- Wilfred Ndidi started and captained Nigeria in 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia
- Kelechi Iheanacho came off the bench to score at Estádio Municipal de Portimão
- Harry Souttar started for Australia in their 1-0 loss to England at Wembley Stadium
- Wout Faes started in Belgium's 3-2 win over Austria in the UEFA European Championship Qualifiers

Friday's international fixtures kicked off at 5pm BST for the Foxes as Nigeria took on Saudi Arabia in a friendly at Estádio Municipal de Portimão. Midfielder Ndidi was named in the starting XI and was also given the captaincy, while Iheanacho, who has scored four goals this season in the Sky Bet Championship, came on in the second half.

The deadlock was broken just before the forward's introduction in the 61st minute when Salman Al-Faraj of Al-Hilal opened the scoring, but 10 minutes later, Nigeria were back level when Abdulelah Al Amri turned the ball into his own net. On for the last half-an-hour, Iheanacho had an impressive cameo, scoring what looked to be a late winner. 

From the edge of the box, City's No.14 curled an impressive left-footed effort into the top left corner, but unfortunately for the Foxes involved in the match, Saudi Arabia equalised in the 10th minute of stoppage time to earn a draw.

Friday evening saw two more Foxes involved for their country, as Faes was named for Belgium in their UEFA European Championship Qualifier against Austria, while Souttar lined up for the away side at Wembley Stadium, as Australia met England in a friendly.

Taking on the Three Lions at Wembley Stadium.

At Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Leopoldstadt, Austria, the Red Devils got off to a good start when Dodi Lukebakio opened the scoring just 12 minutes in, before the Sevilla forward doubled their lead 10 minutes from the break. Moments later, Romelu Lukaku handed them a comfortable lead, but the hosts would look to get back into the game with a late surge.

Konrad Laimer prevented a clean sheet for Faes and his team-mates with a goal in the 73rd minute before Borussia Dortmund's Marcel Sabitzer converted a penalty with five minutes to go. This created some nerves for Belgium, but they held out for victory, claiming the points in Group F, taking their tally to 16; three above their opponents.

In the capital, Souttar put in a valiant display as Australia were beaten 1-0 by England. A single goal from Ollie Watkins made the difference as he turned in a low effort towards goal from Manchester City's Jack Grealish. 

The towering centre-half will have the chance to represent the Socceroos once more during this international break, when they make the short journey across London to take on neighbouring country New Zealand at the home of Brentford, the G-tech Community Stadium on Tuesday evening.