Midfielder Tomáš Souček scored a late penalty to help the Czech Republic record a narrow 3-2 UEFA Nations League win over Ukraine in Prague, as a handful of Hammers shone on the international stage on Tuesday night.
Souček, who has netted once in four appearances for West Ham United so far this season, lined up from the start as captain for his country at Fortuna Arena alongside Club teammate Vladimír Coufal following Saturday’s disappointing defeat at the hands of Georgia.
Two Pavel Šulc goals, either side of a Vladyslav Vanat equaliser, gave the hosts a slender half-time advantage, before Souček struck from the spot with ten minutes left.
Heorhiy Sudakov set up a tense finish with a goal six minutes from the end, but the Czechs held on to earn their first three points of their Group B1 campaign, and move above Ukraine into third.
In Group B2, defender Dinos Mavropanos completed the full 90 minutes of Greece’s impressive 2-0 triumph over the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, that maintained their 100 per cent start to the fresh Nations League term.
Second-half goals from Fotis Ioannidis and Christos Tzolis proved the difference between the two teams, keeping Greece - who beat Finland 3-0 last time out - above England on goal difference.
Fresh from their weekend win over the Irish, the Three Lions similarly saw off Finland 2-0 in their second outing of the international break, with Irons skipper Jarrod Bowen replacing two-goal hero Harry Kane - on his 100th international cap - in the 80th minute at Wembley.
Elsewhere, young goalkeeper Krisztián Hegyi - who is currently on loan at Scottish Premiership outfit Motherwell - featured for Hungary’s U21s as they were defeated 1-0 by Spain in 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying.
In the same competition, Michael Forbes and Patrick Kelly - who are on loan at Bristol Rovers and Doncaster Rovers respectively - started for Northern Ireland’s U21s in their 2-1 loss at home to Ukraine.
Having both played eight of ten games, neither Hungary nor Northern Ireland are able to qualify for next year’s finals in Slovakia.
Finally, 19-year-old defender Kaelan Casey helped England men’s Elite League Squad complete their September internationals with a 2-0 win over Romania in Stockport, with Dane Scarlett and Louie Marsh chipping in with the goals. Paul Nevin’s Young Lions had earlier drawn 1-1 with Türkiye, on Friday.
