Sunderland internationals: World Cup blow for duo as Melker Ellborg moves a step closer | OneFootball

Northern Ireland’s run ended with a 2-0 play-off defeat to Italy, leaving Trai Hume and injured Dan Ballard facing World Cup disappointment. Sweden’s progress kept Melker Ellborg in contention.

Northern Ireland reached the path by topping Uefa Nations League League C Group 3 with 11 points ahead of Bulgaria, Belarus and Luxembourg. That set up a one-off tie in Bergamo against an Italy side that finished second to Norway after 3-0 and 4-1 defeats. According to Sunderland Echo, several Black Cats featured during the window.

Hume captained Michael O’Neill’s side, completed 90 minutes on the right of a back three and earned a 7.3 FotMob rating. He made a goal-line clearance among four clearances, won four of five ground duels and two of three aerials, and completed 82% of his passes.

Second-half strikes from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean settled it. Ballard was unavailable through injury.

Ellborg, signed from Malmo in January as back-up to Robin Roefs, has featured four times for Sunderland after Roefs’ injury. He was an unused substitute as Sweden beat Ukraine 3-1, with Viktor Gyokeres making it 3-0 by the 73rd minute before a late consolation.

Sweden face Poland in Solna on Tuesday, the winner will qualify for the World Cup.

Noah Sadiki was in DR Congo’s squad for a friendly win over Bermuda. Chris Rigg played the final 20 minutes as England lost 2-0 to Serbia in a U19 qualifier, and Milan Aleksic started in Serbia U21s’ 2-2 draw with Kyrgyzstan U23s.

Source: Sunderland Echo