On 5 September, Russian Premier Liga players took part in 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Europe

Group B

Spain 4-0 Georgia

Arsenal midfielder Zuriko Davitashvili played for Georgia from the start. The player spent 69 minutes on the pitch and was replaced with the score already 4-0.

After five games, Georgia are last in the group with one point. On 8 September, they will meet Bulgaria in a friendly, and on 9 October they will play Greece in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.

Group C

Bulgaria 1-0 Lithuania

Arsenal midfielder Georgi Kostadinov started the match for Bulgaria, and was replaced with the game still goalless in the 57th minute. Fifteen minutes later, Ivaylo Chochev earned the hosts their first victory in the qualifiers.

After five matches, Bulgaria are third with five points, the other teams have played three games each. On September 8, the Bulgarians will meet Georgia in a test match, and on October 9 they will play Lithuania again in the selection for the 2022 World Cup.

Group E

Belarus 2-3 Wales

Lokomotiv striker Vitaly Lisakovich started for Belarus, and in the 29th minute he equalized with a penalty, before a minute later assisting Pavel Semyenko. Lisakovich was replaced in the 90th minute at 2-2, and in added time Gareth Bale completed a hat-trick to seal Wales’ win.

After three matches, Wales have picked up six points and are in third place. Belarus are one place below, with three points in four games. Belarus will play Belgium next on 8 September.

Group I

Albania 1-0 Hungary

Nizhny Novgorod forward Bekim Balaj was named in the starting lineup, and was replaced in the 78th minute with the game still goalless. Three minutes from time the hosts scored to clinch the win and jump above Hungary in the table. Now Albania have nine points, while Hungary have two points fewer.

Another Nizhny Novgorod, Akos Keckes, remained on the bench for Hungary. In the next matches, Albania will play San Marino, while Hungarians will take on Andorra. Both games will be held on 8 September.

San Marino 1-7 Poland

Krasnodar midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak and Lokomotiv defender Maciej Rybus did not participate in Poland’s crushing victory over San Marino and spent the entire match on the bench. Paulo Sousa's players are second in the group with 10 points, five points behind England, whom they will face on 8 September.

Group J

Germany 6-0 Armenia

Rostov midfielder Khoren Bayramyan started for Armenia against Germany. In the 82nd minute, the Rostov player was replaced with his side already 5-0 down, and in added time Germany scored once more. Krasnodar’s Eduard Spertsyan spent the entire match on the bench.

Thanks to the victory, Germany move on to 12 points and top Group J, while Armenia drop to second place with 10 points. On 8 September, Armenia will play Liechtenstein.

South America

Paraguay 1-1 Colombia

Zenit midfielder Wilmar Barrios played from the start for the visitors. He was then booked in first-half added time, then was replaced in the 79th minute with the scores level at 1-1. Dynamo defender Fabian Balbuena spent the entire match on the bench for Paraguay.

Colombia are fifth with 10 points after eight games, while Paraguayare a place below, with two points fewer. On 10 September, Colombia will play Chile, and Paraguay will play Venezuela.

Friendly matches

Sweden 2-1 Uzbekistan

All three RPL representatives came off the bench in this match: in the 62nd minute, Spartak’s Swedish forward Jordan Larsson appeared, in the 76th, Nizhny Novgorod’s Ibrohimhalil Yuldoshev came on for Uzbekistan, and five minutes later Krasnodar’s Swedish midfielder Viktor Claesson appeared on the pitch. Former Rostov forward Eldor Shomurodov scored in the 71st minute for Uzbekistan. On 8 September, Sweden will take on Greece.

Photo: Football Federation of the Republic of Belarus