Plenty of Hammers were involved as the September international window got underway on Thursday…
The best of the West Ham action came from Mohammed Kudus, who scored a brilliant equaliser as Ghana beat Central African Republic in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Baba Yara Stadium.
The Hammers’ final signing of a busy summer transfer window stepped up to net a sensational free-kick to pull his side level by half-time after Louis Mafouta put the Central African Republic ahead.
Kudas, who played the full 90 minutes, later saw teammate Ernest Nuamah secure the three points when the Lyon striker struck three minutes from time.
An important win sees Ghana extend their unbeaten run in qualifying to six matches and move three points clear at the top of Group B.
Elsewhere, Tomáš Souček picked up an assist as the Czech Republic drew 1-1 with Albania in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier at Eden Aréna in Prague.
Returning to the venue where West Ham United lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League last June, the Czech skipper played a perfect through ball to Václav Černý, who finished the games’ opening goal from inside the area.
In a fixture that also saw Vladimír Coufal in action and feature for the full 90 minutes alongside Souček, the hosts had their opening goal cancelled out by a stunning strike from Albania’s Nedim Bajrami and had to settle for a point.
Saïd Benrahma, meanwhile, was introduced in the 68th minute as Algeria drew 0-0 with Tanzania in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, while Alphonse Areola was an unused substitute as France beat Ireland in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier 2-0 thanks to goals from Aurelien Tchouameni and Marcus Thuram.
A handful of talent from the Academy were also involved in various youth internationals, as Michael Forbes, Callum Marshall, and Patrick Kelly all started as Northern Ireland U21s fell to a 1-0 defeat by Luxembourg in a UEFA U21 Euro qualifier at Mourneview Park.
James Alves Rodrigues’ effort in the 13th minute secured the points for the visitors.
Loaned goalkeeper Krisztian Hegyi kept a clean sheet as Hungary U21s beat Kazakhstan U21s in a UEFA U21 Euro qualifier.
Goals from Mátyás Kovács and András Eördögh at Szent Gellért Fórum saw Hungary record a win in their opening game of this qualifying edition.
Finally, Josh Briggs was a second-half substitute as Northern Ireland U19s fell to a 3-2 defeat by Italy U19s in an international friendly.
