RPL players on international duty: Kostadinov's Bulgaria lose, Davitashvili assists in friendly

On 15 November, Russian Premier Liga players represented their national teams in 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the Georgia vs Uzbekistan friendly.

2022 World Cup qualifiers

Europe

Group C

Switzerland 4-0 Bulgaria

Arsenal midfielder Georgi Kostadinov started the game against Switzerland as captain and played the full 90 minutes. Bulgaria conceded all four goals in the second half and finished the qualifiers in fourth place in the group on eight points. Switzerland, led by former Spartak head coach Murat Yakin, beat Italy in the battle for first place (18 points against 16) and qualified directly for the World Cup Finals.

Group F

Scotland 2-0 Denmark

Rubin midfielder Anders Dreyer had made his debut for Denmark in the previous match against the Faroe Islands, and in Glasgow he came on in the 81st minute. The visitors suffered their only defeat in the qualifiers. Earlier, Kasper Hjulmand's team won nine matches in a row and topped the group ahead of schedule, earning their ticket to the 2022 World Cup. Scotland finished second on 23 points to make the play-offs, where they will be seeded like Russia.

Group I

Albania 1-0 Andorra

Nizhny Novgorod striker Bekim Balaj missed the match with Andorra. The Albanians had already lost their chances of finishing second in the group, and ended up finishing third on 18 points.

Poland 1-2 Hungary

Lokomotiv defender Maciej Rybus remained on the bench for Poland, while his compatriot Grzegorz Krychowiak from Krasnodar did not play due to suspension. Nizhny Novgorod defender Akos Keckes also watched on as a substitute for the visitors. Despite the defeat, the Polish national team entered the play-offs from second place after picking up 20 points, with Hungary fourth on 17 points.

Friendly match

Georgia 1-0 Uzbekistan

Arsenal midfielder Zuriko Davitashvili spent 61 minutes on the pitch, and in the 41st minute he set up Davit Volkovi to score the only goal for Georgia. Rubin winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also played for the hosts, coming on in the 61st minute. Nizhny Novgorod defender Ibrogimkhalil Yuldoshev played the entire second half for Uzbekistan.

Photo: Georgian Football Federation