As Lucas Bergvall experienced the joy of qualifying for FIFA World Cup 2026, it was the other side of football's emotions for Tyrese Hall as Jamaica lost their play-off against DC Congo on Tuesday night.
The Academy midfielder, currently on loan at Notts County, came off the bench on 83 minutes as the FIFA Play-off Tournament decider went to extra time in Guadalajara, Mexico. In the end, it was decided by the only goal in the first half of extra time as Axel Tuanzebe bundled home from a corner to send DC Congo to their first FIFA World Cup since 1974.
Elsewhere, it was a busy night of friendly action for our players.
Jamie Donley scored for Northern Ireland in a 1-1 friendly draw against Wales. The playmaker, a product of our Academy currently on loan at Oxford United, initially struck the post with his header from Justin Devenny's cross, but was calm as you like to tuck away the rebound to open the scoring after 22 minutes in Cardiff. Sorba Thomas levelled for Wales a minute into the second half. Jamie played 64 minutes.
Dominic Solanke came off the bench after 58 minutes as England searched for an equaliser against Japan at Wembley. Despite some nice touches around the box and helping set up the Three Lions' best chance for Marcus Rashford, it wasn't to be as Kaoru Mitoma's 23rd-minute strike proved enough. Djed Spence was an unused substitute.
Xavi Simons started and played 78 minutes in Netherlands' 1-1 draw against Ecuador. The Oranje were down to 10 men with only 12 minutes on the clock after Denzil Dumfries red card. Micky van de Ven came on for the second half in Rotterdam.
Pedro Porro started and completed a full shift in Spain's goalless draw against Egypt, Radu Dragusin also started and played 62 minutes as Romania suffered a 2-0 home loss against Slovakia while Kevin Danso remained an unused substitute as Austria beat South Korea - with Heung-Min Son leading the line - 1-0 in Vienna.
Cuti Romero started and completed the full 90 as Argentina beat Zambia 5-0 overnight while Luka Vuskovic - who scored his first goal for Croatia against Colombia last week - played 82 minutes in Croatia's 3-1 loss against Brazil.