Vladimír Coufal in action for Czech Republic against Malta

International Round-Up: Aguerd and Coufal secure victories

Friday night's international action saw a number of West Ham United players feature for their countries - with victories for a brace of defenders.

In qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Nayef Aguerd was a starter as Morocco secured a 2-1 win over Zambia in Group E of the CAF African qualifiers.

The Atlas Lions went 2-0 up in Agadir with goals either side of the break from Hakim Ziyech and Monaco youngster Eliesse Ben Seghir.

Zambia pulled one back late on through Edward Chilufya, but Aguerd and his teammates had already done enough to make it two wins from two at the start of their campaign.

They conclude their 2023/24 campaign by taking on Congo - again in Agadir - on Tuesday.

In Europe, Vladimír Coufal warmed up for UEFA Euro 2024 by playing his part in Czech Republic's 7-1 friendly win over Malta in Grödig, Austria.

Coufal played for just over an hour on his 41st appearance for his country and registered two assists as they overpowered their Maltese opponents with five second half goals.

Tomáš Souček was an unused substitute for the Czechs, who next face North Macedonia on Monday before departing for the Euros in Germany.

Dinos Mavropanos' Greece provided the opposition for tournament hosts Germany in their final warm-up, and looked set to spoil the party when Giorgios Masouras opened the scoring in Mönchengladbach after 33 minutes.

However, Germany fought back in the second half, scoring twice through Kai Havertz and Pascal Groß to secure a 2-1 victory.

Greece's final action of the campaign sees them take on Malta in another friendly on Tuesday.

Back home, Jarrod Bowen was an unused substitute as England suffered a 1-0 defeat in their friendly against Iceland at Wembley.

At age-group level, Kaelan Casey and George Earthy were both started in England's men's Elite League (formerly Under-20s) win over Sweden.

Will Alves and Dane Scarlett were on target for the Young Lions, who won 2-1 to kick-off a double header of fixtures in Croatia perfectly.

Finally, Josh Briggs' Northern Ireland U19 side drew 2-2 with Slovakia in the first of two friendlies against the same opposition in preparation for next month's UEFA European U19 Championships.