Howard & Rantala Score In EURO Qualifiers
- Sophie Howard scored in Scotland's 1-0 win over Slovakia
- Jutta Rantala netted in Finland's 1-0 victory against Italy
- Lize Kop kept a clean sheet for the Netherlands
- Josie Green featured in Wales' 6-0 display against Kosovo
- Janice Cayman's Belgium fell to Denmark defeat
- Ava Baker a second half substitute in 4-1 win for the England Under-19s
- Deanne Rose started in the SheBelieves Cup Final but lost out to USA on penalties
It was a busy ending to April's international break as two City players scored for their countries on Tuesday evening while Canada's Deanne Rose fell at the final hurdle in the SheBelieves Cup, losing out on penalties against neighbouring country USA in Wednesday's final.
Leicester's centre-half Howard has had a good time away with Scotland, first of all keeping a clean sheet on the road against Serbia before completing the same feat when facing Slovakia, but this time had an impact at the other end too.
Rising highest from a free-kick, City's No.5 scored the only goal of the game at Hampden Park a little over the hour-mark, placing Scotland second in League B Group 2 of the EURO Qualifiers with four points, and only behind Serbia on goal difference.
Another Fox to find the net on Tuesday was Rantala who brought the scores back level for Finland against Italy before her second-half replacement, Oona Sevenius, completed the comeback in the 75th minute of the game.
The win at Bolt Arena was their first in League A Group 1, and gives them hope of reaching the EURO Finals, as they hold up the rest of their group, but with the same number of points as leaders Norway.
Elsewhere in the same group, Lize Kop was given her second consecutive start of the break for the Netherlands, who managed to dispatch Norway 1-0 with an early goal from Lineth Beerensteyn in the sixth minute. The Dutch shot-stopper will return to Belvoir Drive with a clean sheet and three qualifying points in hand.
Having not featured in their first game, Josie Green produced an impressive performance for Wales who dispatched Kosovo with confidence in a 6-0 outing at Stadium Zahir Pajaziti.
The Leicester player started and played 77 minutes before coming off for Mayzee Davies as both Rachel Rowe and Elise Hughes scored braces in the big win, which sees Wales collect two wins from two to sit top of League B Group 4.
City's final individual to feature in a EURO Qualifier was Janice Cayman who played a full game at Energi Viborg Arena, as Belgium lost out 4-2 to Denmark. Sari Kees and Féli Petra Delacauw scored two late goals in the hope of turning the game around, but the loss leaves the Red Flames at the bottom of League A Group 2.
At a younger age group, Ava Baker made her second appearance during the break for the England Under-19s, as the winger came on at half-time to see out a 4-1 win over Italy at Real Sport Club in Portugal.
Freya Godfrey scored twice to make it three wins from three for the young Lionesses, which means they will be involved in the UEFA Women's U19 EURO Finals in Lithuania later this year.
The international break was rounded off across the pond on Wednesday evening as Rose started for Canada in the SheBelieves Cup final against USA at Lower.com Field.
Taken off after 53 minutes, the game ended 2-2 in Columbus, Ohio with Aston Villa's Adriana Leon scoring twice, including a late penalty kick, either side of a Sophia Smith brace. Heading into penalties, Canada were ultimately beaten 5-4 on spot-kicks.
The highs and lows of the international break are now brought to a close and the Foxes return to the East Midlands where preparations continue for an all-important Adobe Women's FA Cup Semi-Final this Sunday against Tottenham Hotspur.
Howard & Rantala images courtesy of Scotland National Team and Jyri Sulander/FAF.