Andrew Moran and Yasin Ayari managed to get on the scoresheet for Ireland U21s and Sweden U21s respectively.
Moran helped the Irish youngsters to a dominant 7-0 victory at San Marino as Jim Crawford’s side stayed on track to qualify for the 2025 European Under-21 Championship.
The Brighton loanee struck in the 53rd minute, reacting quickest to after Rocco Vata’s free kick was spilled.
Vata netted a hat trick, with Sinclair Armstrong and Armstrong Oko-Flex also getting on the scoresheet as well as a Giacomo Benvenuti own goal.
Moran made way for Rovers team-mate Zak Gilsenan 20 minutes from time, while Connor O’Riordan was an unused substitute.
𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺!
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 22, 2024
Hodge 🤝 Moran
📸 [Gerry Scully] pic.twitter.com/4wF2DdlEQS
Crawford’s side are a point behind leaders Italy with four games left to play, including fixtures against Turkey and Latvia in September.
Meanwhile, Ayari delivered an impressive performance and the Swedish youngsters secured an emphatic 6-1 victory against Cyprus.
The 20-year-old, who is also on loan from Brighton, scored midway through the first half after combining with Sebastian Nanasi.
He also assisted Oscar Vilhelmsson, who netted a first-half hat trick. Melker Widell and Momodou Lamin Sonko wrapped up the result after the break.
Ayari also got the chance to play alongside his brother, Taha, who is currently on the books at AIK, before making way after 56 minutes.
Yasin Ayari 🧬 Taha Ayari
— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) March 22, 2024
Ayari-brödernas första landskamp tillsammans 💛💙#SWEU21 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/LVUIEd4VaH
Elsewhere, Sam Szmodics could make his Ireland senior debut this evening against Belgium at the Aviva Stadium.
The Rovers forward is hoping for an opportunity under John O’Shea, who took interim charge after Stephen Kenny’s contract was not renewed.
Szmodics has been in fine form at club level this season, scoring 27 goals in 40 games in all competitions.
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