Dmitri Payet curled home another awesome free-kick as France beat Russia 4-2
West Ham United’s birthday boy Dimitri Payet scored another terrific free-kick on Tuesday night, though this time wearing the blue of France, as his side beat Russia 4-2.
The midfielder, celebrating his 29th birthday, entered the field of play at the Stade de France during the second half with Les Blues 2-1 up. Two minutes later, he was on the scoresheet, curling an unstoppable effort into the top-left corner from a dead-ball.
And though Russia pulled one back, Payet helped restore the hosts’ two-goal advantage as he set-up Kingsley Coman for their fourth.
It caps a superb week for Payet in which manager Didier Deschamps has been full of praise for the playmaker.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Darren Randolph was a first half substitute as he replaced an injured Rob Elliot in the Republic of Ireland’s 2-2 draw with Slovakia.
After falling behind, Randolph’s side took the lead through two penalties, scored by Shane Long and James McClean, however a Paul McShane own goal levelled the game.
Victor Moses played but could not help Nigeria to a result against Egypt, as they fell 1-0 in African Cup of Nations qualifying.
There was a win for Cheikhou Kouyate’s Senegal in qualifying, however, as they were 2-1 winners over Niger.
In FIFA World Cup qualifying, Enner Valencia played 90 minutes for Ecuador as they fell 3-1 in Colombia, however the side are still level on points with Argentina at the top of their South American group.
Development squad defender Doneil Henry was also in World Cup qualifying action, starting and playing the full game as Canada were beaten 2-0 by Mexico.
Finally, young Hammers goalkeeper Sam Howes was an unused substitute as England U19s beat Spain 2-0 away from home.
On Wednesday night, young Hammers Declan Rice and Anthony Scully were in action for the Republic of Ireland U17s, as they defeated Montenegro 3-0 in UEFA European Championships Elite Round qualifying.
Scully, who was a second half substitute, supplied Thomas Byrne to score the side's third.
The midfielder, celebrating his 29th birthday, entered the field of play at the Stade de France during the second half with Les Blues 2-1 up. Two minutes later, he was on the scoresheet, curling an unstoppable effort into the top-left corner from a dead-ball.
And though Russia pulled one back, Payet helped restore the hosts’ two-goal advantage as he set-up Kingsley Coman for their fourth.
It caps a superb week for Payet in which manager Didier Deschamps has been full of praise for the playmaker.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Darren Randolph was a first half substitute as he replaced an injured Rob Elliot in the Republic of Ireland’s 2-2 draw with Slovakia.
After falling behind, Randolph’s side took the lead through two penalties, scored by Shane Long and James McClean, however a Paul McShane own goal levelled the game.
Victor Moses played but could not help Nigeria to a result against Egypt, as they fell 1-0 in African Cup of Nations qualifying.
There was a win for Cheikhou Kouyate’s Senegal in qualifying, however, as they were 2-1 winners over Niger.
In FIFA World Cup qualifying, Enner Valencia played 90 minutes for Ecuador as they fell 3-1 in Colombia, however the side are still level on points with Argentina at the top of their South American group.
Development squad defender Doneil Henry was also in World Cup qualifying action, starting and playing the full game as Canada were beaten 2-0 by Mexico.
Finally, young Hammers goalkeeper Sam Howes was an unused substitute as England U19s beat Spain 2-0 away from home.
On Wednesday night, young Hammers Declan Rice and Anthony Scully were in action for the Republic of Ireland U17s, as they defeated Montenegro 3-0 in UEFA European Championships Elite Round qualifying.
Scully, who was a second half substitute, supplied Thomas Byrne to score the side's third.