Premier League players who shone in the international break | OneFootball

Premier League players flew across the globe to represent their countries this month. We’ve picked out five who enjoyed the international break.

Viktor Gyokeres – Sweden

Sweden will return to the World Cup after securing qualification via the UEFA play-offs. The Swedes have Viktor Gyokeres to thank for their progress to the tournament, as the Arsenal striker scored four times during the break.

Gyokeres hit a hat-trick as Sweden beat Ukraine in their semi-final, before scoring an 88th-minute winner to sink Poland in the decider. In the absence of Alexander Isak, Gyokeres stood up and now boasts 19 goals in 32 caps.

Axel Tuanzebe – DR Congo

DR Congo have ended a 52-year wait for a World Cup place after beating Jamaica in the inter-continental play-off.

The African nation secured a 1-0 win in extra-time, with Axel Tuanzebe scoring the decisive goal. The former England youth international, who was born in Bunia, bundled in from close to write his name into Congolese history.

Karou Mitoma – Japan

Japan had an international break to remember after concluding a mini-tour of the UK with wins over Scotland and England.

Mitoma was the hero of Japan’s Wembley win over England, scoring the decisive goal as the Asian nation beat the Three Lions for the first time.

A clinical counter-attack saw Japan score against the run of play, as Mitoma showed a ruthless touch that Thomas Tuchel’s side lacked throughout the evening.

Florian Wirtz

Florian Wirtz has been criticised at Liverpool this season but showed his class for Germany during the break. Wirtz was involved in all four goals as the Germans edged a seven-goal thriller with Switzerland, assisting Jonathan Tah and Serge Gnabry, before bagging a brace.

Wirtz’s winner arrived in the 85th minute to seal a 4-3 win and earn him strong praise from Julian Nagelsmann.

“The harshness of it wasn’t justified,” Nagelsmann said of criticism of Wirtz’s club form.

“We grew even closer during that time, had many good conversations in which he opened up tremendously. He’s an intelligent, incredibly open guy, and you get a lot back from him in conversation. He can take a lot away from this phase and emerge stronger than ever before.”

James Garner

Few in the England camp will be overly pleased with performances this month, as the Three Lions failed to beat Uruguay and Japan.

James Garner, however, can be content with the impact he made on debut. Competition is fierce for a midfield role but the Everton midfielder held his own against Uruguay.

An accomplished performance even saw head coach Thomas Tuchel compare Garner to Uruguay star Federico Valverde.

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