AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth star Chris Mepham helped Wales earn a precious 1-1 draw against Belgium to secure them a home play-off semi-final in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
The defender started at the Cardiff City Stadium, winning his 26th cap and his seventh in qualifying as Wales restricted the best team in the world to a solitary goal.
It came from Manchester City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne whose majestic 20-yard effort gave the visitors a 12th-minute lead.
But Cardiff’s Kieffer Moore levelled in the 32nd minute, his low shot from a Daniel James cross sparking scenes of jubilation among a partisan home crowd.
Wales were without the services of captain and talisman Gareth Bale who was ruled out on the morning of the game following his 45-minute appearance in Saturday's 5-1 thrashing of Belarus, his first appearance after two months out with a torn hamstring.
And although Belgium had the lion’s share of possession, Wales applied themselves superbly with a spirited team effort and Neco Williams almost snatched a late winner, only for his swerving shot to be well saved by Koen Casteels.
But a share of the spoils was enough to seal what could be crucial home advantage in March's play-off semi-finals and Wales will discover their opponents when the draw is made on Friday 26th November.
Wales had already guaranteed a play-off place thanks to their success in the Nations League and they are seeded for the semi-finals as they look to reach the finals for the first time since 1958.
What a night yet again … the atmosphere was incredible 🐉🏴 see you in March 😁 pic.twitter.com/p93fJMtoRn
— Chris Mepham (@c_meps) November 17, 2021
Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland earned his 33rd cap for Norway as their World Cup qualification hopes were ended following a 2-0 defeat by Netherlands at De Kuip in Rotterdam.
Nyland was beaten by goals from Tottenham’s Steven Bergwijn and Barcelona’s Memphis Depay in the final six minutes as the hosts booked their place at the finals in Qatar.
Norway, who were not helped by the absence of injured striker Erling Braut Haaland, were pipped to a play-off place by Turkey who triumphed 2-1 against Montenegro.
Jefferson Lerma picked up a costly booking as Colombia were held to a 0-0 draw by Paraguay in South American Football Confederation World Cup qualifying.
Lerma received a yellow card for a foul on Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron five minutes before half-time which will rule him out of Los Cafeteros’ next match against Peru at the end of January.
A double substitution saw Lerma and James Rodriguez replaced by Cristian Arango and Rafael Santos Borre ten minutes from time before Paraquay were reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Andres Cubas.
Although a share of the spoils in Barranquilla took Colombia back into the top four automatic qualification places, it could be viewed as a missed opportunity against struggling opposition.
They never gave up, they never gave in 💪🇮🇪
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) November 16, 2021
Ireland U21s beat Sweden 1-0 with the final kick of the game! #IRLU21 | #COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/w7Uss6oKhL
Gavin Kilkenny played his part as Republic of Ireland breathed new life into their 2023 European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign with a dramatic victory over Sweden.
The Boys in Green hosted the Group F leaders in Dublin on the back of successive defeats by Montenegro and Italy which had seriously threatened their chances of progressing.
But they upset the formbook by inflicting a first reverse on Sweden as Fulham’s Ollie O’Neill came off the bench to score the only goal deep into added time.
O’Neill was thrust into the action with six minutes remaining and delivered with the last kick of the game, referee Peter Kralovic blowing the full-time whistle as the Ireland team celebrated.
Kilkenny, who started their 2-0 defeat by Italy on Friday, kept his place and must have impressed senior boss Stephen Kenny and assistant Keith Andrews who were among the crowd at the Tallaght Stadium.
The 21-year-old almost marked his 16th cap by having a hand in a goal, Kilkenny linking with Will Smallbone to fashion a chance for Will Ferry who was foiled by a defender as he prepared to shoot.
Victory hoisted Ireland into third place in Group F ahead of their final four games against Sweden, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy next year.
With the top two going through, Ireland are now just four points behind Sweden, who they meet in March, and have a game in hand on the leaders. Italy are second, three points in front of Ireland and having played a game fewer.
Cherries academy goalkeeper Ollie Camis was an unused substitute as Wales were held to a 1-1 draw by Kazakhstan in their third 2022 Under-17 European Championship qualifier in Albufeira.
Arsenal’s Omari Benjamin gave Wales the lead in the 27th minute only for Abinur Nurymbet to level just four minutes later.
The result saw Wales finish third in Group 11 with Ukraine’s 3-2 win over Portugal seeing them pip the Portuguese to top spot on goal difference.
