Maguire Helps England To Montenegro Win
- Harry Maguire features from the off in England’s 5-1 win over Montenegro in Podgorica
- Ben Chilwell was an unused substitute during the UEFA European Championship qualifying triumph
- Development Squad stars Alex Pascanu and Viktor Johansson also represented their nations on Monday
Having completed 90 minutes alongside Academy graduate Ben Chilwell in the 5-0 win over Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium on Friday, Maguire made his second start in four days for Gareth Southgate’s outfit.
The hosts, who drew 1-1 with Bulgaria three days prior, went ahead early on through Marko Vesovic, but both Michael Keane and Ross Barkley struck before the break to turn the game on its head and put England in control.
After the interval, another effort from Barkley, Harry Kane’s second goal in as many games and a strike from Raheem Sterling secured three points to ensure England maintained their spot at the top of Group A.
Chilwell, having impressed against Czech Republic last time out, was unused from the substitute’s bench in Montenegro’s capital city, Podgorica.
In the same competition, Foxes centre-back Çağlar Söyüncü was an unused substitute during Turkey’s convincing 4-0 triumph over Moldova at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Group H.
Everton’s Cenk Tosun scored twice, while further strikes from defenders Hasan Ali Kaldirim and Kaan Ayhan saw Söyüncü’s nation maintain their 100 per cent start to their European Championship qualification campaign.
Over in Sweden, Development Squad stopper Viktor Johansson completed 90 minutes of friendly action as Sweden Under-21s defeated Scotland Under-21s 2-1 following an outing against Russia Under-21s on Friday.
The win was settled in the first half thanks to goals from Swansea City’s Joel Asoro and Sunderland forward Benjamin Mbunga-Kimpioka, while Queen of South’s Barry Maguire was on target for the visitors.
Elsewhere, Alex Pascanu notched up another international appearance at youth level for Romania Under-21s, as the versatile defender skippered his nation to a 1-0 friendly win against Denmark Under-21s.
On Tuesday, City’s international representation during the 2018/19 season will come to an end, with up to seven Foxes in potential action.
Kasper Schmeichel’s Denmark begin their UEFA European Championship qualification campaign against Switzerland at St Jakob-Park in Basel having drew 2-2 with Kosovo in an international friendly on Thursday.
In England, James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Demarai Gray and Hamza Choudhury will all be hoping to feature during England Under-21s’ friendly encounter with Germany Under-21s at Vitality Stadium.
City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi’s Nigeria are also in friendly action at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, as they face 2017 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up Egypt following a 3-1 victory over Seychelles last week.
Finally, winger Bartosz Kapustka – currently enjoying season-long loan at Belgian outfit OH Leuven – may on Tuesday afternoon represent Poland Under-21s, who host Serbia Under-21s in a friendly fixture.