Pape Matar Sarr made a goalscoring return for Senegal to help his nation to a crucial home victory against Sudan in World Cup qualifying on Friday evening.
Returning to the national team for the first time since March, the 22-year-old was rewarded with a start to earn his 32nd cap and doubled their lead on the night with a superbly-taken finish - showing an excellent first touch to bring down a high through-ball and turning his marker before slotting it home - for his third international goal and to build on his impressive start to the season in our colours.
Separated with the away side on goal difference heading into the Group B contest, the Lions of Teranga had earlier taken the lead through Kalidou Koulibaly on 14 minutes before Pape popped up with the goods to complete the victory in Dakar. The three points meant Senegal kept pace with league leaders DR Congo who they face next in a crunch match on Tuesday (9 September).
Over in Europe, Israel's Manor Solomon - on loan at our opening UEFA Champions League opponents Villarreal - earned his 45th cap from the start and had a fine night for his nation with a goal and assist in Moldova to help them to a 4-0 win in Group I. That was the winger's eighth international goal who was replaced on 65 minutes with his side three goals up - Dor Peretz, Tai Baribo and Oscar Gloukh completed the scoreline.
In the same group, Guglielmo Vicario was an unused substitute for Italy as they hit five goals in the second half to romp home against Estonia. Following a frustrating goalless opening 45 minutes, the Azzurri came out firing after the break to run out victorious in Bergamo thanks to Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui's double, Giacomo Raspadori and Alessandro Bastoni. Up next, Vic faces Manor in Hungary on Monday night - the Italians sit three points behind second-placed Israel but have a game in hand.
Elsewhere in European qualifying, Lucas Bergvall remained on the bench as Sweden conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in Slovenia to see the points shared in their opening Group B fixture. The away side twice took the lead through Anthony Elanga and Yasin Ayari, but the hosts recovered each time through Sandi Lovric and a late leveller from Zan Vipotnik in the 91st minute. The Swedes now make the trip to Kosovo on 8 September.