A hatful of Hammers were involved across a busy night of international action on Friday evening…
Just over a week after lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy, Declan Rice started as England beat Malta 4-0 in a UEFA Euro qualifier at Ta' Qali Stadium.
England waltzed their way to a third win from three Group C matches and took the lead inside ten minutes with Malta defender Ferdinando Apap finding his own net, before Trent Alexander-Arnold added a second with a fierce drive from the edge of the area.
Rice’s long-range strike then forced a save from Malta stopper Henry Bonello and would lead to Harry Kane being fouled by Matthew Guillaumier inside the area, with the England skipper converting from the spot with 30 minutes played.
Rice’s 42nd appearance for the Three Lions saw the midfielder record 89 per cent passing completion, win three aerial battles, and complete all of his attempted dribbles.
Callum Wilson then added England’s fourth of the night, as the Three Lions now look to maintain their 100 per cent record in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying against North Macedonia at Old Trafford at 7.45PM BST on Monday 20 June.
Meanwhile, Thilo Kehrer started as Germany fell to a 1-0 defeat by Poland in an international friendly played at National Stadium Warsaw.
Kehrer’s 27th senior international outing saw Germany slip to their first defeat of the international break having drawn 3-3 with Ukraine last time out.
With Germany already qualified for UEFA Euro 2024 as hosts, the second of their three friendlies across the June break ended in defeat as Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior put Poland ahead with 31 minutes played.
Kehrer completes his international window with the final of three friendlies taking place at Veltins-Arena, as Germany host Colombia on Monday.
Callum Marshall made his senior debut for Northern Ireland in a 1-0 defeat to Denmark at Parken Stadium.
The 18-year-old striker looked to have capped his international debut with a goal to snatch a dramatic point from a crucial UEFA Euro qualifier, however, his late flick of his left foot was ruled out by VAR.
Northern Ireland ultimately fell to defeat as Jonas Wind struck the only goal of the game on 47 minutes.
Marshall and company next welcome Kazakhstan to Windsor Park, Belfast on Monday.
Alphonse Areola was an unused substitute as France beat Gibraltar 3-0 in a UEFA Euro qualifier at Estadio Algarve.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe and AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud were on the scoresheet in the first half, while an own-goal from Aymen Mouelhi defender made it 3-0 after the break. Areola will hope to feature when France play Greece at Estádio Algarve in Portugal next Monday.
Meanwhile on Thursday, Academy goalkeeper Krisztián Hegyi kept a clean sheet as Hungary U21s beat Slovakia U21s 1-0 in an international friendly.
Hegyi played 90 minutes between the sticks for Zoltán Gera’s men with midfielder Krisztián Lisztes scoring the only goal of the game.
