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How West Ham United players including Tomas Soucek, Lukasz Fabianski fared on international duty

Sports Mole round up which West Ham United players were in action for their respective nations during October's international break.

David Moyes will welcome back the eight first-team players to his West Ham United side who have been representing their country during October's international break.

Seven of those players were spread out across Europe, while Said Benrahma plied his trade in Africa with Algeria.

Here, Sports Mole round up which Hammers players were in action for their respective nations and how they fared on international duty.


England: Declan Rice

England's Declan Rice in action with Poland's Grzegorz Krychowiak on September 8, 2021© Reuters

Results:
October 9: Andorra 0-5 England – World Cup qualifier (Estadi Nacional, Andorra la Vella)
October 12: England 1-1 Hungary – World Cup qualifier (Wembley Stadium, London)

Declan Rice was an unused substitute in the comfortable victory against Andorra, however the 22-year-old returned to the Three Lions' midfield against Hungary, making his 27th international appearance.

The Hammers academy graduate got his name on the scoresheet in Budapest last month, but was unable to add to his tally at Wembley, as Gareth Southgate's men were frustrated by the visitors.

John Stones' equaliser for England ensured they came away with at least a point, which edges them closer to confirming their qualification for next summer's World Cup in Qatar.


Czech Republic: Tomas Soucek, Alex Kral

Czech Republic's Tomas Soucek pictured on June 4, 2021© Reuters

Results:
October 8: Czech Republic 2-2 Wales – World Cup qualifier (Eden Arena, Prague-Vrsovice)
October 11: Belarus 0-2 Czech Republic – World Cup qualifier (Central'nyj Stadion, Kazan)

Tomas Soucek and Alex Kral were the only two West Ham representatives to feature for the Czechs, after Vladimir Coufal pulled out of the squad with a hamstring injury.

Soucek and Kral started alongside each other in central midfield against Wales, operating just in front of the back four, with the latter brought off in the 83rd minute.

Kral was then dropped to the bench for their victory against Belarus, but came on as a substitute in second-half stoppage time. Soucek, meanwhile, captained the national side for the full 90 minutes in both World Cup qualifiers, earning his 45th cap in Kazan.


Ukraine: Andriy Yarmolenko

Ukraine's Andriy Yarmolenko celebrates scoring their fourth goal with teammates on June 7, 2021© Reuters

Results:
October 9: Finland 1-2 Ukraine – World Cup qualifier (Olympic Stadium, Helsinki)
October 12: Ukraine 1-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina – World Cup qualifier (Arena Lviv, Lviv)

Andriy Yarmolenko scored the opening goal for Ukraine in both World Cup qualifiers, curling in a brilliant right-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area in the fourth minute against Finland, before tapping in from close range against Bosnia.

The 31-year-old's strike in Lviv was his 44th international goal, which takes him just four behind Ukraine's all-time record goalscorer and legendary forward Andriy Shevchenko.

Ukraine's point against Bosnia means they have now drawn six of their seven World Cup qualifiers and sit second in Group D, three points behind leaders France.


Croatia: Nikola Vlasic

Croatia's Nikola Vlasic in action with Slovakia's Erik Jirka on October 11, 2021© Reuters

Results:
October 8: Cyprus 0-3 Croatia – World Cup qualifier (AEK Arena, Larnaca)
October 11: Croatia 2-2 Slovakia – World Cup qualifier (Stadion Gradski vrt, Osijek)

Summer signing Nikola Vlasic was unable to add to his seven goals and two assists for the Croatian national team, who claimed four points from their two World Cup qualifiers this month.

The 23-year-old started in a front three alongside Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric against Cyprus, before being replaced in the 68th minute with the score at 1-0.

Vlasic then began on the bench against Slovakia but was brought on at half time with the Croats trailing 2-1. Luka Modric's 71st-minute free kick ensured the hosts came away with a least a point, though Vlasic thought he had given Croatia all three when he poked the ball in from close range, however his strike was disallowed by VAR for an earlier offside.

Croatia now sit two points behind Group H leaders Russia, who they will face in next month's final round of World Cup qualifiers.


Spain: Pablo Fornals

Spain's Pablo Fornals and Pablo Sarabia celebrate on September 5, 2021© Reuters

Results:
October 6: Italy 1-2 Spain – UEFA Nations League semi-finals (San Siro, Milan)
October 10: Spain 1-2 France – UEFA Nations League final (San Siro, Milan)

Fornals, who scored his first senior goal for Spain in September, was unable to make an impact for the national side this month, featuring for only five minutes as a substitute against France.

Prior to Sunday's final, the 25-year-old watched on from the bench as Luis Enrique's men claimed a 2-1 victory against Euro 2020 champions Italy in the semi-finals, with the likes of Pablo Sarabia, Koke and Gavi picked ahead of him in the starting lineup.


Poland: Lukasz Fabianski

Lukasz Fabianski waves to fans after he is substituted off in his final match for Poland on October 9, 2021 © Reuters

Results:
October 9: Poland 5-0 San Marino – World Cup qualifier (Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw)

Lukasz Fabianski bid an emotional farewell to the Poland national team in front of over 56,000 supporters in Warsaw, as the goalkeeper is to retire from international football.

The 36-year-old kept a clean sheet before a pre-planned substitution in the 57th minute – to commemorate the number of appearances he has made for the senior side – saw him walk off in tears to a standing ovation as well as a guard of honour created by the on-field players.


Algeria: Said Benrahma

West Ham United's Said Benrahma celebrates scoring against Leicester City on August 23, 2021© Reuters

Results:
October 8: Algeria 6-1 Niger – World Cup qualifier (Stade Mustapha Tchaker, Blida)
October 12: Niger 0-4 Algeria – World Cup qualifier (Stade General Seyni Kountche, Niamey)

Benrahma played the full 90 minutes in Algeria's 6-1 thrashing of Niger, however the winger was unable to contribute to any of the six goals scored in Blida.

Four days later, the 26-year-old was not called upon to feature in the reverse fixture. Benrahma has made a total of 12 international appearances for Algeria, though he is still searching for his first senior goal.


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West Ham United's Declan Rice pictured on August 15, 2021
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