- Following his superb strike against Middlesbrough, Dimtri Payet continued his goalscoring form with a strike for France
- Les Bleus were taking on Bulgaria in FIFA World Cup qualifying
- There was also a goal for Switzerland U21 international and Hammers summer signing Edimilson Fernandes
Hammers star Dimitri Payet bagged his seventh goal for national side France on Friday, scoring in their 4-1 victory over Bulgaria.
Fresh off the back of his solo wonder goal against Middlesbrough last weekend, the 29-year-old impressed in FIFA World Cup qualifying, notching his side’s second goal to give them the lead in Paris.
Didier Deschamps’ men had previously fallen behind to Mihail Aleksandrov’s early penalty, but Atletico Madrid forward Kevin Gameiro equalised for the hosts midway through the opening period.
Then, just three minutes later, Payet – who starred during the summer as hosts France reached the final of UEFA Euro 2016 – found space on the left hand side and curled into the box.
Though nobody in blue was able to turn home his centre, there was little the Bulgaria stopper could do about the Hammers man’s ball in as it found the far corner of the net.
Antoine Griezmann added a third before half time before club colleague Gameiro grabbed his second of the match with half an hour remaining to round off the scoring.
The French face one of their tougher Group A tests on Monday as they travel to the Netherlands to take on the Oranje.
Also in winning action was Canadian defender Doneil Henry, who started and played the full match for his side in their 4-0 friendly win over Mauritania.
The American outfit thrashed their North African opponents – ranked 129th in the world – thanks to goals from Steven Vitoria, Marcus Haber, and two from Tosaint Ricketts.
Payet was not the only Hammer on the scoresheet on Friday, however – summer signing Edimilson Fernandes scored Switzerland U21s’ only goal in their 2-1 defeat to Norway in Drammen.
Norway took the lead on the stroke of half time before Fernandes thought he’d given his side a point in UEFA Euro U21 Championship qualifying, but the hosts hit back with eleven minutes left to steal the three points.
Elsewhere in U21 Euro qualifying, West Ham midfielder Josh Cullen – currently on loan at Bradford City – played the full 90 minutes for the Republic of Ireland’s U21 side as they were beaten 3-1 by Serbia’s youngsters.
Everton’s Courtney Duffus gave the Boys in Green the lead, but the visitors hit three without reply to seal a win.
Reece Oxford was on the bench for England’s U20s as they beat Germany 3-1 in Huddersfield, meanwhile the U19s were 3-1 winners in Croatia though goalkeeper Nathan Trott – on his first call-up – did not feature.