Rantala Scores In Finland Win
- Jutta Rantala scored in Finland's 4-0 win over Slovakia
- Sophie Howard played in Scotland's defeat to England
- Janice Cayman was a substitute in Belgium's 3-2 victory
Three Foxes made the pitch to represent their country on Friday as two strode to victory, while Howard played a full 90 minutes, but was ultimately beaten by Sarina Weigman's Lionesses'. One Leicester player that had a night to remember was new signing Rantala, who joined the Club on a permanent basis this summer.
City's new No.8 started and scored in Finland's comfortable victory against Slovakia. Lining up at Veritas Stadion, in what was the opening game of their UEFA Women's Nations League B Group 2, Rantala's side cruised to a first three points, to go top of the group on goal difference.
Linda Sällström opened the scoring just five minutes in, before Leicester's latest addition doubled their advantage 20 minutes later. A brace from Katariina Kosola, with a goal in either half, put the game out of reach and Finland on path to victory, before they face Romania on Tuesday evening (5pm kick-off).
Central defender Howard was also on the international stage, but a little closer to home at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, where Scotland battled with England in the UEFA Nations League Group A. First half headers from Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp saw the Lionesses walk away with all three points to kick-start their campaign in Group 1.
With the home side seeing most of the ball, especially in the first half, Howard was kept pretty busy but Foxes' fans can be proud of her performance. Scotland did make the game interesting when Aston Villa's Kirsty Hanson reduced the deficit on the brink of half-time, but a comeback was not meant to be and City's No.15 will have to wait until Tuesday night to pick up their first points, when they take on Belgium (7:45pm kick-off).
Next week's opponents will however provide a tough test, and the chance to play a fellow Fox in the form of Janice Cayman. Belgium's most capped player was also in action last night, coming on as a substitute in the 76th minute to see out a 2-1 victory against the Netherlands. Marie Detruyer and Jassina Blom scored the crucial goals.
All times BST.
Finland image: Jimi Soinila.