On 2 September, Russian Premier Liga players took part in qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 UEFA Under-21 Championships.

2022 World Cup qualifiers

Europe

Group B

Sweden 2-1 Spain

Krasnodar midfielder Viktor Claesson played the entire match against Spain and brought Sweden victory, bagging. The winner in the 57th minute with the score 1-1. Spartak player Jordan Larsson spent all 90 minutes on the bench. Sweden now leads Group B with nine points after three games.

On 5 September, Sweden will play a friendly against Uzbekistan, and on the 8th they will meet Greece in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.

Georgia 0-1 Kosovo

Arsenal's Georgian midfielder Zuriko Davitashvili came on as a substitute in the 78th minute with Georgia 1-0 down, and could not help his country come back against Kosovo. After four matches, Georgia prop up the Group B table with one point. On 5 September, they will play Spain away.

Group C

Italy 1-1 Bulgaria

Arsenal midfielder Georgi Kostadinov played the entire match against the reigning European champions for Bulgaria. Both teams scored a goal in the first half.

After four matches, Italy lead Group C on 10 points, while Bulgaria are in fourth place with two points. On 5 September, Bulgaria take on Lithuania.

Group E

Czech Republic 1-0 Belarus

Lokomotiv forward Vitaly Lisakovich appeared from the start against the Czech Republic and played the whole game, but he did not score.

Belarus have played three matches and are in fourth place in the group with three points. In the next fixture, they will play Wales on 5 September.

Group I

Hungary 0-4 England

Nizhny Novgorod defender Akos Kecskes spent the whole 90 minutes on the pitch for Hungary. England came away with a big victory, scoring four goals in the second half, and strengthened their lead in Group I.

After four matchdays, Hungary drop to third place with seven points, edged out by Poland on tiebreaking criteria.

Poland 4-1 Albania

Krasnodar midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak played the entire match and Lokomotiv defender Maciej Rybus played 81 minutes for Poland against Albania. In the 54th minute, Krychowiak increased Poland's lead to 3-1.

Nizhny Novgorod and Albania forward Bekim Balaj came on as a substitute in the 67th minute, with his team already 3-1 down. Poland won to move onto seven points and up to second place in the table. Albania are fourth on six points.

On 5 September, Poland will play San Marino away, while Albania will host Hungary.

Group J

North Macedonia 0-0 Armenia

Krasnodar midfielder Eduard Spertsyan came on for Armenia in the 67th minute. Rostov's Khoren Bayramyan couldn't help the team due to suspension, while Khimki defender David Davidyan was not included in the matchday squad.

Armenia lead Group J on 10 points, one point ahead of their next opponents Germany. On 5 September, the teams will play for first place in the group.

Asia

Stage 3

Group A

South Korea 0-0 Iraq

On the first matchday of the third stage, Rubin midfielder Hwang In-beom played the entire match for the hosts. On 7 September, South Korea will meet Lebanon at home.

Iran 1-0 Syria

Iran beat Syria thanks to a goal in the 56th minute. Zenit forward Sardar Azmoun was unable to help his countrymen in the match due to being suspended after collecting too many yellow cards.

Iran is the only team in the group that won on the opening matchday. The other two matches ended in 0-0 draws. In the next match, Iran will play historic rivals Iraq on 7 September.

Africa

Group A

Algeria 8-0 Djibouti

Krylia Sovetov Samara defender Mehdi Zeffan played the entire match for Algeria against Djibouti and helped the team to pick up a huge win. In the next game, Algeria will face Burkina Faso on 7 September.

Niger 0-2 Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso kicked off the qualifiers with a victory. For the guests, Akhmat forward Mohamed Konate came on in the 79th minute, and 20 seconds later scored his team's second goal. 

On the second matchday, Burkina Faso will play on 7 September against Algeria, who thrashed Djibouti 8-0.

South America

Bolivia 1-1 Colombia

Colombia drew with Bolivia on the ninth matchday of qualifiers with Zenit midfielder Wilmar Barrios in the side. Barrios spent 88 minutes on the pitch and was replaced with the score at 1-1.

Colombia have nine points and are fifth in the table. In their next match, Colombia will play Paraguay on 6 September.

Ecuador 2-0 Paraguay

Dynamo defender Fabian Balbuena was named in the Paraguay starting line-up and played the entire match. Paraguay conceded two goals right at the end – in the 87th and fifth minute added on – and dropped to sixth place in the table on seven points. On 6 September, Paraguay will play Colombia.

UEFA European Under-21 Championships qualifiers

Group D

Belarus U-21 1-2 Iceland U-21

On the first matchday for Euro 2023, Lokomotiv midfielder Kirill Zinovich made his debut for Belarus under-21s, after being named in the starting line-up before being replaced at half-time with the hosts 1-0 down. In the second half, both teams scored.

Belarus will face Portugal in the next match on 6 September. 

Group G

Czech Republic U-21 1-0 Slovenia U-21

Khimki defender Dusan Stojinovic played the entire match for Slovenia. In the 63rd minute, he received a yellow card. The hosts scored the only goal of the match in the 89th minute.

On 6 September, Slovenia will play their second qualifier against Andorra.

Photo: Swedish Football Union