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Bengaluru FC begin their Indian Super League (ISL) season with a mouthwatering clash against FC Goa on November 22 at the Fatorda Stadium.

Carles Cuadrat's team will then face Hyderabad in their second match on November 28 at the same venue. 

The Blues will take on rivals Kerala Blasters on December 13.

The full list of Bengaluru's fixtures released so far can be found below: 

Here are Bengaluru's first 10 fixtures. 

Fixtures for only the first 11 rounds, which consists of 55 matches, have been released right now. The schedule for the remaining 55 league matches will be published in December as the league awaits clarity on calendar dates of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) matches.

The entire tournament will be held behind closed doors in Goa, due to the Covid-19 pandemic which means the teams will have to stay in a bio-bubble for the duration of the tournament. 

Bengaluru lost to ATK in the ISL play-offs last season. However, they will be looking to do better when the seventh season starts rolling. 

Odisha FC have roped in Brazilian striker Diego Mauricio to partner Manuel Onwu upfront in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season. 

The 29-year-old is a typical centre forward who will be the target-man playing on the shoulders of the opposition centre-backs. 

Let's take a closer look at a player who has rubbed shoulders with some famous Brazilians like Neymar and Firmino. 

Jersey Number: 11

Youth Career and Debut

Mauricio was born in Rio de Janeiro. He joined the Flamengo youth set up in 2008. He honed his skills under Rogério Lourenço at the academy. He spent three years in the developmental squad and in 2010 he was promoted to the senior team. 

His shooting and clinical finishing caught the eyes of many and he made his senior professional debut against Gremio Prudente. He came on a substitute and joined Bruno Mezenga upfront. He earned a penalty for his side after he was knocked down in the box. Flamengo went on to win the match 3-1. 

For his stout physique, accurate finishing and fiery pace, he was fondly called Drogbinha or the little Drogba. 

He scored his first professional goal within 10 minutes of the match against Avai at the Maracana stadium in a 1-1 draw. 

In the latter half of the campaign, he fell down the pecking order, yet he was not allowed to leave when an offer came in from Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainians were ready to offer 5 million Euros but the club president wanted a million more and eventually, the deal fell through. 

A Globetrotter

The footballer has vast experience as he played in three different continents and in established competitions such as the Chinese Super League and the Korean League.

In 2012, Mauricio was signed by  Russian club Alania Vladikavkaz, but the striker could not find his feet in his new surroundings and soon returned on loan to his native country to play for SC Recife. 

He signed for Portuguese side Vitoria SC in 2014 but after making four appearances he returned to Brazil to join RB Bragantino. He made 13 appearances and scored twice for the South American side. 

Thereafter in 2016, he was once again loaned out to Chinese Super League side  Shijiazhuang Ever Bright where he scored four goals in 24 appearances. In the following season, he joined Gangwon FC in South Korea. 

Last Stint

In the previous season, he was plying his trade in Brazil for CS Alagoano. He made 10 appearances for the club in various competitions but could not find the net. 

International Career

Mauricio was part of the U20 Brazil squad that won the 2011 South American Championship. He shared the dressing room with Neymar, Casemiro, Roberto Firmino, Lucas Moura and Danilo. He scored two goals in the tournament against Chile and Colombia respectively. 

Last season's finalists Chennaiyin FC have made quite a few striking changes to their foreign player contingent ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season. 

Fulfilling the mandatory Asian player quota for the Marina Machans will be winger Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev who will become the first player from Tajikistan to feature in the ISL. 

The winger, comfortable operating on either flank, comes to India after plying his trade in the top-tiers of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Indonesia. The 30-year-old also boasts of extensive international experience with his national team. 

Jersey Number: 19

Debut and FC Istiklol move

Fatkhuloev made his senior debut for Tajikistan outfit Dynamo Dushanbe in the 2007-08 season before moving to giants FC Istiklol. Between 2007 and 2018, Fatkhuloev established himself as an Istiklol legend, winning a plethora of silverware with the club. 

The winger won six league titles and five Tajik Cups in addition to another five Tajik Super Cups during his first stint. He was also instrumental in the club's title triumph in the 2012 AFC President's Cup where he contributed a goal. 

Fatkhuloev was also part of the Istiklol side that finished runners-up in the AFC Cup twice, in 2015 and 2017. In fact, in 2017, Fatkhuloev featured as Istiklol defeated Bengaluru FC in the two-legged Inter-zonal final. 

He moved to Indonesian outfit Persela Lamongan in December 2017 after nine years with Istiklol. He made a bright start at his new club, contributing several assists in Persela's campaign in the President's Cup in January 2018. 

But very soon, he became redundant as far as the club's requirements were concerned. The club were in need of a central midfielder and had to let Fatkhuloev go, with the player and the club agreeing to a mutual termination. 

He rejoined his beloved Istiklol and impressed in the 2018 season, scoring seven goals as he helped the club land another league and cup double. In 2019, he moved to Uzbekistan's FC Buxoro where he made 11 appearances. 

He came back to his country in February 2020, signing for FC Khujand. He would end up leaving Khujand to join Chennaiyin FC.

International football

Fatkhuloev is a legend as far as Tajikistan's national team is concerned. He is their all-time highest capped international with 68 appearances and has scored seven goals as well. 

His national team debut came in 2007 when he played against Bangladesh in a World Cup qualifier. His first goal for his country came, interestingly, against India in the final of the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup. Tajikistan were trailing 3-0 when Fatkhuloev scored a consolation. The match would end 4-1 in India's favour. 

He scored against India again in 2013 in a friendly which finished 3-0 in Tajikistan's favour. He is still a major part of the Tajik national team and is involved in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, last playing in Tajikistan's 4-3 loss to Myanmar in 2019 November. 

Last stint

He had joined FC Khujand in February 2020. He had a really productive season in the Tajik top-tier. He was everpresent for the club, scoring five goals and contributing five assists. Khujand finished second on the table, behind FC Istiklol. 

Chennaiyin FC's foreign contingent has an intriguing look about it. After reaching the final in the last Indian Super League (ISL) season, they have retained only two of their foreign players from that squad. 

One of those players is centre-back Eli Sabia. While the big burly Brazilian forged a partnership with Lucian Goian last season, he will be paired with Enes Sipovic this time around. 

Standing tall at 6'6", Sipovic is an imposing presence at the back and is very strong aerially. Given the fact that Sabia is also 6'2" tall, Chennaiyin's defence will have the aerial advantage over the opposition forwards. 

Jersey Number: 5

Professional debut in Romania

Sipovic might be the first Bosnian to play in the ISL but he made his senior debut for Romanian giants Otelul Galati. After progressing through the youth ranks at Bosnian club Zeljeznicar, he moved to Otelul Galati in 2009 in search of first-team football. 

He made his professional debut in April 2010 in a league game against Gloria Bistrita, playing the entire 90 minutes. However, that would be the only appearance he would make in that season and the next season. As a result, he was sent out on loans to Romanian second-tier outfits Petrolul and Farul Constanta in the 2011-12 season. 

He came back to Otelul at the start of the 2012-13 season and played a bit-part role for two-and-a-half seasons before leaving the club on a free transfer in January 2015 - a season where Otelul were relegated to the second tier. 

He joined Belgian outfit Waterlo but spent just six months there before leaving on another free transfer to Moroccan outfit Tanger. He made around 60 appearances for Tanger in two seasons before moving to another Moroccan outfit in Berkane ahead of the 2017-18 season. 

He did not stick around for long at Berkane, leaving for Saudi Arabian outfit Ohod after a season. Sipovic ended up moving back to his childhood club Zeljeznicar in January 2019. But that reunion lasted only a year and he joined Qatar's Umm Salal SC in February 2020. 

Sipovic spent another six months in Qatar before joining Chennaiyin. 

International football

Sipovic has never represented his country at the senior level but has played for Bosnia and Herzegovina's U21 team during his formative years. 

He did represent the U21 side in the UEFA U21 Championship qualifiers. In one memorable match, he featured as Bosnia U21 played out a 4-4 draw against Germany U21 side which featured the likes of current Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. 

Last stint

His last stint was in Qatar with Umm Salal SC where he made 11 appearances in the Qatar Stars League (QSL), all of them starts. 

Roberto Mancini praised the young talents emerging through Italy's ranks and acknowledged he faces "a big problem" whittling down his Euro 2020 squad to 23 players.

Head coach Mancini has missed all three of Italy's matches this month after testing positive for coronavirus and being made to self-isolate.

Assistant boss Alberigo Evani has guided the Azzurri to three wins from three without conceding, with Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina seeing his side book a place in the Nations League finals.

Before that four-team shootout next October, likely to be staged in Italy, Mancini's men will first take part in the rescheduled Euro 2020 finals next June.

Italy have seen a large number of players withdraw from their squad for this month's fixtures, including the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Marco Verratti, but Mancini is delighted with the way others have stepped up.

"Choosing 23 players for the European Championship is going to be a big problem," Mancini told Rai Sport via webcam.

"It was already going to be difficult before but in the last four months players are coming through and are proving to be excellent. It is always better to have these problems."

Alessandro Bastoni is one of those to have profited from the large number of coronavirus and injury-related drop-outs, the Inter defender having been drafted into the squad to provide some cover.

The 21-year-old impressed on his debut against Estonia and retained his place in the side for the wins over Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

He had more touches than any other player on the field against Bosnia (113) while no player attempted (106) or completed more passes (99) than the youngster.

Mancini has been particularly impressed by Bastoni's displays over the past week and has tipped the centre-back to emulate Italian greats Bonucci and Chiellini.

"Bastoni is a young boy who has played three games in 10 days, playing better and better each time," Mancini said.

"He is very young and can improve a lot and become the new Bonucci or the new Chiellini - a great defender. There are many good players, you just have to let them play."

He added: "We have very good young players. It is clear that at the beginning they may have difficulties. We have many young players - they can do well."

Italy are now unbeaten in 22 matches - their best such run since the year they won the World Cup in 2006 - and will be seeded for the World Cup qualifiers.

Asked to reflect on his two and a half years in charge, Mancini said: "We were in 20th place before and now we are up to sixth in the rankings.

"The players have done a great job because it has not always been easy.

"We have tried to become more offensive with our play. You have to have the right mentality to do so and have a style of play that all the great teams have."

England manager Gareth Southgate believes his squad will peak in 'the next three to five years' after the Three Lions' youngsters starred against Iceland.

Records tumbled at Wembley in Wednesday's Nations League encounter, with England winning 4-0.

Declan Rice opened his international account, with Mason Mount doubling England's tally before Phil Foden – who had created the opener – scored his first goals for his country to complete the rout.

The only players aged 30 or older in England's starting XI were Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker, Southgate starting four players – Foden, Mount, Rice and Bukayo Saka – aged 21 or younger; the first time the Three Lions have done so in a competitive match since November 1959.

His faith was repaid, with all of them turning in impressive displays as England dominated from start to finish, controlling 78.3 per cent of the possession, while Jack Grealish was again in superb form from a free role on the left flank.

Grealish, 25, won six fouls, meaning he has drawn 21 in total since his debut for England in September, more than any other player in that time.

Rice, meanwhile, is the first West Ham player to score for England since Matthew Upson against Germany in the 2010 World Cup, while the midfielder is also the second-youngest Hammer – after Joe Cole – to net for the Three Lions.

Two of Mount's three goals this season have come for his country, and with Foden's late double, three players aged 21 or under netted in the same match for England for the first time since February 1883 against Ireland, when William Cobbold, Oliver Whateley and Frank Pawson found the net.

Foden is the youngest player in the history of the England national team to score more than once in a match at Wembley. He also became the youngest player to score and assist in a match for England since Marcus Rashford in September 2017.

With Southgate's 3-4-3 system finally clicking against Iceland, the debate will now turn to whether it is the formation the England manager should use heading into the Euros.

Jadon Sancho came on from the bench, as did Tammy Abraham, while in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin was an unused substitute.

Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford were missing altogether, and with Mount, Grealish and Foden all looking sharp, Southgate has a plethora of attacking options to choose from, without factoring in the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Maddison.

However, it is a headache he is happy to deal with as he predicted when he expects his young squad to reach their peak. 

Southgate told Sky Sports: "I think over the last few days their talent has been outstanding. It was a very difficult game, all the players were hearing messages that this is meaningless and there was nothing to play for but they did play for it, there were big opportunities for young players but also for some older players.

"We're still trying to build and improve all the time. There was lovely football and it was good to watch and it was good for the young ones to get the goals – very special for them.

"The squad that we've had over the last three months is going to peak in the next three to five years and they'll get a lot more club experience and international experience. We'll invest the time in them. There are some very good senior professionals as well.

"We are still working on the balance of players for the system. Our attacking play was very, very good. If it's a headache about having good players in the side then that's a good one to have."

England playmaker Jack Grealish has admitted he needed to transform himself off the pitch, with the Aston Villa skipper now having cemented his place in Gareth Southgate's plans.

The Three Lions bounced back from the disappointment of defeat to Belgium on Sunday with a rousing 4-0 win over Iceland under the bright lights of an empty Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

Phil Foden bagged a brace on his starting return to the senior fold, while Declan Rice snatched a maiden goal for his country alongside another for Mason Mount as the hosts capped off 2020 in dominant fashion.

Grealish's commanding displays, in victory against Ireland and Iceland, and in defeat against Belgium, have suggested an increased maturity in the Solihull native's game, to which he further agrees, adding that his position in the public eye has instilled a greater responsibility in his game.

"I didn’t think it was on the pitch [where pressure impacted me] but it was more off the pitch that I thought I was Jack from Solihull that could go out and do what you want," Grealish told a post-match press conference.

"As you get older, you learn that you are a hero and role model to younger lads. You need to watch what you are doing. That’s not to say that I won’t make mistakes, I probably still will. I feel like I have grown up over the years.

"Hopefully I can carry on doing that. I am a captain of a Premier League club and I just need to take it in my stride. At the moment, I absolutely love my life."

The story of England's November international break has been Grealish's emergence, with the 25-year-old one of only two players to start all three games, in a major show of confidence from boss Southgate only two months after the winger needed a late injury-forced call-up to earn a spot in the squad.

The ex-Republic of Ireland youth starlet earned major praises from the national team coach ahead of the final match this week and, speaking after England's rout, he acknowledged that his latest stint in the fold has proven a breakthrough experience.

"I have really enjoyed coming here," Grealish said. "I have started three games in a row which is brilliant. That’s what you want to do when you come away. I feel like I performed at a good level here and I have been given the chance.

"Usually, it is only Birmingham really [where I am talked about]. I am not blind to it and I can see it myself. That’s just the world we live in and the industry I am in. If you play good football then people call for you to play, it goes all over social media.

"I just have to stay level headed. I know a lot of eyes will now be on myself both on and off the pitch. I am old enough to control myself. The pressure on the pitch is what I love. All these big games, there’s certain people it can affect but I just thrive off it and I love the pressure."

On the links to former Tottenham star Paul Gascoigne's style and influence, Grealish acknowledged that he considers it an honour to be saddled with such notions, adding: "I thrive off those kinds of comparisons.

"I love Gazza. I watched his documentary on Netflix about one million times. I love his character on and off the pitch. I love his freedom that he played on the pitch. He played with so much joy. You hear people speak about him and say he was just a joy to watch. I think that’s the biggest compliment you can have.

"When people say it is a joy to watch you then that’s a compliment because that’s what I want to do. I want to entertain people. I also want to be effective on the pitch just like Gazza was.

"Those comparisons are far away because I haven’t even played at a tournament like he did. He thrived at the biggest stage, until I do that then I don’t think I can be compared to him at the moment."

Georginio Wijnaldum acknowledged there were points where the Netherlands did not look great in the victory against Poland.

The Netherlands came from behind to win 2-1 in Chorzow, but that was not enough to secure a return to the Nations League finals as Italy's 2-0 victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina ensured they finished top of Group A1.

Kamil Jozwiak put Poland in front inside five minutes with an impressive solo goal, but Wijnaldum won a penalty that Memphis Depay converted in the 77th minute and then scored a deflected header to give Oranje a second win in six games under Ronald de Boer.

Poland were a potent threat on the break and match-winner Wijnaldum admitted they made the Netherlands look bad at points, saying the Dutch must improve if they are to do well at Euro 2020.

"I think this was one of our best matches. At the start we weren't sharp and they were able to score early, but otherwise it was good," Wijnaldum told NOS.

"Only in transition can we do better. Sometimes we just don't look good. It's hard to train on it. We don't have much time to practise that sort of thing together between games.

"We have to make these steps as soon as possible if we want to do well at the European Championship. We did what we had to do."

Poland's Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski started the match despite being a doubt due to a muscular injury. He assisted Jozwiak's goal and released Przemyslaw Placheta for a shot that hit the post before going off at half-time.

De Boer was disappointed his players did not heed his warning to focus from the off at Silesian Stadium but he was not too disappointed with the performance.

"I saw more positives than negatives," De Boer said. "I warned the team beforehand that because of all that hassle with Robert Lewandowski over the past few days, I expected Poland would want to show something.

"You have to be sharp from the first second, but it seemed as though we were not. Defensively, it should definitely be better, we are going to work on that. You cannot start like that.

"After 1-0 we picked it up very well and created one chance after another. Then we showed what we can do. We have to work on everything, but I leave with a good feeling.

"It is also a well-deserved victory. They fought for it until the last second and I am proud of that. We have the willpower and have to keep it."

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has professed his hope that Lionel Messi can be persuaded to pen a new deal to keep him at Camp Nou for the foreseeable future.

The Blaugrana skipper could be heading to new pastures at the conclusion of the current campaign following a protracted, public fight over his future leading into the 2020-21 season.

Though the Argentine is committed for the rest of the term following his thwarted attempts to seal an early release, many expect the striker to be straight out of the door once his deal is up, with a potential Pep Guardiola reunion at Manchester City one mooted option.

But Ter Stegen - who recently signed a new long-term deal to keep him at the Catalan outfit through 2025, cementing more than a decade of service in La Liga - remains keen for his captain to turn around and reaffirm himself to the European heavyweights.

"It's always an advantage to have Messi on the team because he can score goals out of nowhere - that's what makes him so special," the 28-year-old stated in an interview with BarcaTV.

"I hope he continues here and can be happy. You have to give him the opportunity to be above things because he's an extremely important part of our game."

Messi's acrimonious relationship with the upper echelons of Barcelona's club structure has spilled over in recent months, on the back of a 2019-20 campaign that saw the Blaugrana fail to win a trophy.

New manager Ronald Koeman is yet to instill confidence, with the team eighth in La Liga as they return to work following the international break, while accusations from associates of other players have pointed to Messi as the root of some major cultural problems within the club, claims to which the 33-year-old has vehemently responded.

Elsewhere, Ter Stegen also offered praise for defensive partner Gerard Pique, who has served as a stalwart centre-back in front of the shot-stopper since his arrival from Borussia Monchengladbach.

"He has a special personality and is very funny," the goalkeeper said of Pique. "He understands my humour, which not many people do. We often talk to each other and always try to be the best for each other to give to others."

England talent Phil Foden was delighted to produce his breakout international performance against Iceland after going through 'one of the hardest moments' in his life when he was dropped from the Three Lions in September.

The 20-year-old scored twice late in the match - his first international goals - while also providing the assist for Declan Rice's opener as England trounced their Nordic opponents 4-0 at Wembley on Wednesday evening.

Foden was making his first England start since he was axed from the Three Lions squad, along with Mason Greenwoood, after the duo broke Covid-19 rules by inviting girls back to their hotel in Reykjavik.

The Manchester City playmaker was delighted to put the past behind him and revealed his determination to make up for his mistake and earn back the trust of his team-mates.

"It was one of the hardest moments of my life," Foden told Sky Sports.

"That’s the time you need the trust of your manager and Gareth had a lot of respect for me and it means everything to me. I just wanted to repay him with goals and do well.

"I was just determined to come back and do the best I can. I was a little bit nervous at the start of this camp but I got used to it after a while."

Despite England already being eliminated from the Nations League, Foden was a man on a mission and his pinpoint free kick was deftly headed home by Declan Rice - his first international goal - for the Three Lions' opener.

Mason Mount doubled England's advantage four minutes later but it was Foden who took centre stage with a brilliant second-half performance.

The Stockport-born talent clinically swept home Jadon Sancho's cut-back in the 80th minute before securing his brace shortly after with a thumping strike into the bottom-right corner.

"It's up there with one of the best games and it means a lot to me," Foden said. "I just couldn’t stop smiling after my goal, it’s an unbelievable feeling and I’m just going to try and enjoy it as much as I can.

"I know Jadon [Sancho] well enough, I played with him in the youth team and when I arrived in the box he gave me a good assist and luckily it went in.

"When you score your confidence is high but it’s something I need to work on - scoring more goals from outside the box."

The second edition of the UEFA Nations League is heading towards the final stages, with the identity of the 2020-21 finalists now known.

Having kicked off in September 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic, games have had an air of strangeness to them, but teams have got on with things despite the associated difficulties.

Some of the biggest names in European football will go head to head for the right to get their hands on the new trophy, which was last won by Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in 2018-19.

So, when will the latest Nations League finals take place and which teams are involved - Goal has all the details.

Contents

When are the Nations League 2020-21 finals?

The Nations League 2020-21 finals will take place in October 2021, nearly a full year after the conclusion of the league stage of the competition.

The semi-final stage of the final tournament will be held on October 6 and October 7 2021.

After that, the third-place play-off between the beaten semi-finalists and final - to decide the Nations League champion - will be played on the same day on October 10 2021.

With the Nations League finals in October 2021 it means that the games occur after the beginning of the World Cup 2022 qualifying (March 2021) and the European Championship (June/July 2021).

Which teams have qualified for the Nations League 2020-21 finals?

The winners of the four League A groups qualify for the Nations League finals.

France were the first team to qualify for the 2020-21 finals after they secured their place at the top of Group A3 ahead of Sweden, Croatia and defending champions Portugal.

Les Bleus were then joined in the finals bracket by Spain after La Roja topped a group containing Germany, Ukraine and Switzerland - clinching their place with a resounding 6-0 win over Germany.

In Group A1, Italy finished in first place while in Group A2, Belgium went through with England having missed their chance.

An open draw will be held on December 3, 2020 to determine which teams face off against each other in the two semi-finals.

Where will the Nations League 2020-21 finals be played?

The Nations League finals are played in a single host country. In principle, Italy, the winners of Group A1 will be the host nation, with the Netherlands and Poland also having expressed an interest.

UEFA will officially confirm the host venues for the Nations League 2020-21 finals on December 3 2020 - the same date of the finals draw.

Below are the potential host stadiums for the finals:

Italy

Callum Hudson-Odoi is trying to sway Jamal Musiala to choose England over Germany after the pair lined up together again with England's Under-21 team.

The Chelsea forward both played and went to school with Musiala while he was in the Blues academy before he made the switch to join Bayern Munich in 2019.

Musiala was born in the German city of Stuttgart but grew up in England, making him eligible for the two countries. His father also holds a Nigerian passport so he is also able to play for the Super Eagles if he so chooses.

But  even the DFB (German Football Association) concede that England are most likely to convince the wonderkid to play for them  after seeing him debut and score for Aidy Boothroyd's side over the international break.

Still, Musiala can change his mind until he makes his senior debut in a competitive match for any country, and Hudson-Odoi has offered his opinion to his fellow young star.

"We talked about it. I said he should be staying with England," Hudson-Odoi said after the pair both scored in the 5-0 win over Albania. "He knows a lot of the boys already and has been really welcomed into the team.

"I said to him, 'I can't choose for you but it would be nice if you stayed with England.' Hopefully he gets to the seniors as quickly as possible."

The excitement over Musiala's talent is highlighted by two records broken at Bayern, with the 17-year-old having becoming the club's youngest Bundesliga appearance-maker and goalscorer in recent months.

After signing Musiala, Bayern have had several attempts to sign Hudson-Odoi rejected by Chelsea. Hudson-Odoi spoke of being reunited with Musiala for his country after the clubs failed to do business in the summer once again.

"Jamal is a top, top player. I have known him from young, when he was at Chelsea," he continued. "He is a great player and I've watched him for a while. He went to the same school as me as well.

"On day one, I wanted to welcome him to the U21s as soon as possible. He is a good guy, very shy, and before the game I wanted to see he was feeling himself and confident and not scared or shy. I said, 'Play your own game and get a goal for yourself,' which he did.

"I was really happy for him. I have always said to him, 'Keep doing your thing day in, day out, and you will get to the seniors sooner rather than later.'

"Wherever he is I will be watching him and seeing he is doing himself proud."

England eased to qualification for next year's U21 European Championships with two victories over the international break to ensure they reached 28 points from a possible 30 in their qualification group.

Aidy Boothroyd says England have not given up hope of convincing Valencia youngster Yunus Musah to choose the Three Lions over the U.S. national team despite his recent call-up to Gregg Berhalter's senior side.

The 17-year-old is also eligible for Ghana and Italy but he has been with the USMNT having played against both Wales and Panama in friendly matches this month.

Due to only appearing in non-competitive fixtures for the USMNT, the door remains open to other nations. It is unlikely Musah would get a call-up to Gareth Southgate's senior squad without passing through Boothroyd's Under-21s and the Young Lions boss is still hopeful of changing the wonderkid's mind. 

"We knew about him. We have known about it for a little while and I did speak to Yunus’s father," Boothroyd told reporters. "I know a few coaches in the senior staff spoke to the family as well. We put our hat into the ring.

"We are keeping a close eye on things. This is the priority where we are at the minute. But he is a very good player and we have got to do our jobs and keep an eye on him.

"There’s only so many players that can play, I am hopeful we will see him in the U21s at some point. I don’t know [if he has made his decision]. I hope he hasn’t because I think if he came here and saw what we are all about that he would really enjoy it.

"But I don’t want to be disrespectful to the brilliant young players we have in his position already. They may even be better than him but that’s the challenge isn’t it?

"That’s the challenge and at some point or other we will miss out on one. Provided we get more right than wrong, that’s the key."

Musah has already worked at the National Football Centre at St George's Park having been through the U15s to the U18s while in Arsenal's academy. England manager Southgate, who coached his way up through the FA's youth teams to lead the senior side, is aware of Musah's talent.

“I know John [McDermott, assistant FA technical director] has spoken with the family and they know where we sit with it,” Southgate said last week.

"But also we want to get that balance right of not just pushing him up the age groups quicker than we think is right because we’ve got other boys in the system as well, and we don’t want to promise things that we can’t fulfil.

"He’s going to meet with America this time and experience that. That doesn’t rule him out of being with us moving forward, so, we’ve just got to make sure that the boy and the family know that we think he’s a good player, that he’s on a good trajectory.

“We’re monitoring him. He’s been with us in the last couple of months and we’d very much like his future to be with us.”

Valencia coach Javi Gracia gave Musah a first-team spot this season, which has so far led to eight senior appearances in La Liga. That in turn has led to an international scramble over his future. 

The youngster is one of a number of England-eligible young players to hold dual nationality. There are similar debates around the futures of Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala, Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah and Brighton's Tariq Lamptey.

However all of those players remain in Boothroyd's squad, which has qualified for the U21 European Championship in the summer.

Callum Hudson-Odoi has admitted that the last 18 months have been a "rollercoaster" while stating his belief that he is still young enough to develop into a top player for Chelsea and England.

The 20-year-old has started just four of the Blues' last 13 games, which has seen him drop from England's senior team into the Under-21 side.

Away from the pressure of senior football, U21 manager Aidy Boothroyd has seen Hudson-Odoi become one of his star players ahead of the U21 European Championship in March.

Hudson-Odoi spoke about the pressure and expectation around him to become a superstar after he scored and earned man of the match in the 5-0 win over Albania on Tuesday.

“I am only 20! Sometimes people forget the age because I have been around for a while," Hudson-Odoi told reporters at Molineux. "I started young. I have just turned 20. I have kicked on well and I can keep progressing day in day out.

"The last 18 months have been strange, not something I'd have liked, but we have to deal with it. I want to look to the future and hopefully better things will come. I put pressure on myself. I want to prove myself every time, do my best every game.

"Sometimes there is a lot of expectation and you just have to play your normal game, and the result will go your way. I just say to myself keep being positive, things might go wrong but be positive and hope the end result will be good.

"It has been a rollercoaster, up and down, up and down. But stuff like that you move on from and think of the present and the future. For myself, I want to make sure I am training every day. I am working my hardest, trying to get in the team and working my way back to the senior England team.

"I keep trying, working. In the last 18 months, I have enjoyed bits and not enjoyed bits. I feel I am getting more confident game by game. Gareth [Southgate] and Aidy say: 'Get your crosses across goal, get shots on target, and keep being a threat, the player everyone fears when you play them.'

"I want to be on the ball. Try to work as hard as possible for the team as well. I want to get wins and trophies as well."

There will be now four months of club football after three international breaks in close succession with Hudson-Odoi getting another chance to earn more minutes under Frank Lampard.

Chelsea will find Hudson-Odoi in better shape following valuable minutes on the international scene. However, he isn't guaranteed to start against Newcastle United on Saturday having been overlooked in recent weeks despite the absence of both Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz.

Still, Hudson-Odoi is willing to be patient to earn Lampard's trust once again. 

"You train hard at Chelsea every day, the managers are always looking and you always want to prove a point that you are ready when called upon," he added. "When I train and play in games, I want to score, assist, work hard for the team and always improve myself on the pitch and to prove a point as well.

"No matter what it is, I want to give 100 per cent, keep trying and staying positive. I have the right people behind me, giving me the right instructions and keeping me grounded. I am really happy with the people in the background with that and I want to get back into the team."

Lindsey Horan has tested positive for Covid-19 and has been removed from the U.S. women's national team roster for their upcoming friendly againts the Netherlands, U.S. Soccer announced on Wednesday.

"Horan is currently doing well and is observing the appropriate quarantine protocols," a U.S. Soccer statement read.

"Her positive test came during the U.S. Soccer’s pre-trip testing procedures. No other players have tested positive at this time."

Florida State midfielder Jaelin Howell has been added to the USWNT roster as Horan's replacement. 

Following the announcement, Horan spoke out on Twitter to say she is "home resting and feeling okay."

"Disappointed I won’t be able to join my teammates in the Netherlands but I’m home resting and feeling okay," Horan said. "Best of luck to the team this week, I will miss you guys and [will] be cheering from [afar]."

Horan was included on the team's 23-player roster announced on Tuesday for their November 27 game at Rat Verlegh Stadium in Breda, which will be the USWNT's first match since March.

The rematch of the 2019 World Cup final will also be the USWNT's first game abroad since they defeated the Dutch 2-0 in Lyon to clinch their second straight world championship in July 2019.

But Horan, who is the USWNT's leading scorer so far this year with seven goals and three assists, won't be involved as the team's pre-travel protocols detected the virus in her system.

According to U.S. Soccer, "the U.S. delegation has received an exemption from quarantine provided to professional sports organizations," ahead of travelling to the Netherlands for a six-day camp. 

"Everyone entering the environment will be tested for Covid-19 before traveling, upon arrival and every two days thereafter. The USA will not begin full team training until the results of all arrival tests are confirmed."

After she was called up for last month's training camp, Howell will now have the chance to earn her first senior cap with the USWNT.

The 20-year-old, along with teammate Sophia Smith, would become the first player born after the 1999 Women’s World Cup to earn a full national team cap should she feature against the Dutch. 

USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski has called in a number of his Europe-based stars for the match, including Alex Morgan, who will be searching for her first minutes with the national team since the World Cup final, having given birth to her first child in May.

England's new generation of talent came to the fore at Wembley on Wednesday to achieve a landmark that had last been reached in the 19th century. 

The Three Lions took on Iceland in the UEFA Nations League playing for pride after missing out on a spot in the competition's final phase. 

Belgium and Denmark were the only two sides in Group A2 still able to take first place and advance to the semi-finals, while Gareth Southgate took the opportunity to inject youth into his first-team squad. 

And the kids came through with flying colours as Iceland were dispatched 4-0 in a one-sided clash. 

Declan Rice opened the scoring 20 minutes in, before Mason Mount quickly added another to send the hosts into half-time with a two-goal advantage. 

After the break Manchester City youngster Phil Foden took centre-stage, netting twice to seal an easy win for Southgate's charges. 

Rice and Mount are both 21, with Foden a year younger at 20. Together, the trio marked a special bit of history for the Three Lions. 

Not since 1883, in the very first days of international football, had three players aged 21 or younger managed to score in a senior England game. 

Rice, Mount and Foden thus follow in the footsteps of William Cobbold, Oliver Whateley and Frank Pawson, who all got on the scoresheet against Ireland 137 years ago. 

Bukayo Saka, 19, also started, meaning that England fielded four players under 22 for the first time since a Home Nations clash against Northern Ireland in November 1959. 

Foden received an additional distinction, becoming the first England player under 21 ever to score more than once in a match at Wembley. 

The Three Lions will be back in action in 2021, kicking off their World Cup qualification campaign for Qatar in March with two games. 

But they will have to wait until December's draw to find out who their opponents are, with the groups set to be decided in a virtual ceremony held in Zurich.

Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum scored as the Netherlands came from behind to beat Poland 2-1, but it was not enough to secure a return to the Nations League Finals.

Both teams needed to win the match at Silesian Stadium and receive some assistance from Bosnia-Herzegovina against Italy in the other Group A1 game, but the Azzurri's 2-0 victory ensured it was they who finished top of the pile.

Kamil Jozwiak's stunning solo goal gave Poland the lead inside five minutes and Przemyslaw Placheta rattled the post as the hosts proved a significant threat on the break.

Poland were punished for sitting back in the second half, though, with Wijnaldum winning a penalty that Depay fired home before the Liverpool man saw his deflected header secure the win in the 84th minute.

Jozwiak put Poland in front when he surged away from Davy Klaassen down the left, cut inside of Daley Blind and stabbed in off the post.

Wijnaldum and Donyell Malen missed decent chances to restore parity before Placheta hared forward on the right and crashed a shot against the near post from an acute angle.

Kamil Glik and centre-back partner Jan Bednarek made important interventions to keep Wijnaldum and Depay at bay, but Lukasz Fabianski was needed to stop Frenkie de Jong equalising before half-time.

Krzysztof Piatek replaced Robert Lewandowski, who had been a doubt for the game with a muscular problem, at half-time and he was involved in a rapid break that ended with Placheta shanking wide.

Poland focused on defending and Fabianski did well to tip the Netherlands' first shot on target of the second half from Depay away from the bottom-right corner.

However, Fabianski was beaten by Depay from 12 yards in the 77th minute after Bednarek pushed Wijnaldum over in the area.

Wijnaldum completed the turnaround himself by flicking substitute Steven Berghuis' corner home, but it was only enough to secure second place in the group.

What does it mean? A corner turned

The Netherlands' 3-1 success against Bosnia-Herzegovina last time out, that represented Ronald de Boer's first win as coach in his fifth game at the helm, looked in danger of being a false dawn as they trailed for much of this game.

Each of Oranje's three previous defeats against Poland have come in Chorzow, but they stopped the hosts ending a 41-year wait for a fourth victory in the same city, in what was the 17th meeting between the teams.

With back-to-back wins recorded, De Boer will hope the Netherlands can continue on an upward trajectory.

Leading by example

Wijnaldum wore the captain's armband in the absence of injured Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk and was a persistent threat with his runs from depth. He played a role in the first Netherlands goal and scored the second, while supplying two key passes.

Bednarek blunder

Netherlands had struggled to make Fabianski work in the second half but Bednarek's needless foul on Wijnaldum for the penalty was the start of everything unravelling for Poland.

What's next?

Both teams will get to enjoy another campaign in League A, but they will reconvene in March and look to build towards Euro 2020.

Romelu Lukaku scored as decisive double as Belgium beat Denmark 4-2 to reach the Nations League Finals.

Roberto Martinez's side needed only to avoid defeat to prevent Denmark from finishing top of group A2 and they started strongly in Leuven, Youri Tielemans putting them ahead after only three minutes.

Jonas Wind levelled in a first half in which the visitors were the more threatening side, but when Kasper Schmeichel could not quite do enough to deny Lukaku 57 minutes in, the contest was effectively settled.

Lukaku nodded in his second and Belgium's third 12 minutes later to make certain of the victory and reach 57 goals for his country, including six in his past four appearances.

A late aberration from Courtois gifted Denmark a second but Kevin De Bruyne struck an immediate reply to quash any fear of a late comeback.

Tielemans fired Belgium ahead against England and did so again here from a similar distance, his left-foot shot from the edge of the area bobbling beyond Schmeichel and into the bottom-right corner.

Denmark equalised 14 minutes later, Wind heading a loose ball beyond Courtois after Martin Braithwaite's shot had been blocked.

Braithwaite had a great chance to make it 2-1 but was denied by a sprawling Courtois, and Lukaku nearly glanced Belgium back in front from De Bruyne's cross.

Lukaku had cut an isolated figure but took the next chance that came his way in the second half. A quick free-kick allowed De Bruyne to feed the striker, whose shot struck the onrushing Schmeichel but looped up and over the line, with the covering Andreas Christensen only able to hook the ball high into the net.

The Inter striker planted a firm header past Schmeichel from six yards out after a fine cross from Thorgan Hazard to make it 3-1, before Courtois allowed Nacer Chadli's pass to roll beneath his foot and into the net to leave Martinez looking thunderstruck on the touchline.

De Bruyne soon calmed any nerves, though, side-footing into the net after Thomas Foket's cross had bobbled across the Denmark box.

What does it mean? Belgium ease into Finals

The result means Belgium finish top of Group A2 with 15 points, five above Denmark and England, and it secures their place at the Finals next year.

Denmark may feel frustrated to have failed to capitalise on a sluggish display by Martinez's men, particularly in the first half, but their performance here augurs well for the meeting between these two in the Euro 2020 group stage.

Lukaku lethal when it counts

Lukaku only attempted 21 passes, 11 fewer than goalkeeper Courtois, and often seemed detached from the action in a first half in which Denmark posed the bigger threat.

However, when his two opportunities came, he did not falter - even if Schmeichel was unlucky not to keep out his first.

Sliding doors for Braithwaite

By contrast, Braithwaite could not convert his best opening when the scores were level, as Denmark failed to make the most of a good first 45 minutes.

The Barcelona man did not manage another shot until the 80th minute, by which time their fate was all but sealed.

What's next?

These teams are finished for 2020 and have no fixtures set in stone before the Euros begin next June. They will face one another then, too, in a Group B game in Copenhagen on June 17.

Phil Foden opened his England account with a double as Gareth Southgate's side ended their Nations League campaign on a high with a 4-0 victory over 10-man Iceland.

Defeat to Belgium on Sunday had ensured Wednesday's Group A2 meeting at Wembley was a dead rubber, but England's youthful team nevertheless turned in an impressive display.

Making his first competitive England appearance since breaking coronavirus protocol after a victory over Iceland in September, Foden marked his return in style, setting up Declan Rice's opener before adding further gloss to a routine win with a superbly taken brace.

Mason Mount had doubled England's tally, with Birkir Mar Saevarsson's red card for a second bookable offence all but ending any comeback hopes for outgoing Iceland coach Erik Hamren.

For differing reasons, Jack Grealish and Foden were the big stories heading into the game and the two playmakers combined for England's 20th-minute opener.

Rice was the benefactor, heading in his maiden England goal from Foden's free-kick, which was won by Grealish, who moments later teed up Bukayo Saka.

The Arsenal youngster failed to beat Ogmundur Kristinsson, but Mount made no such mistake with England's next chance, coolly prodding in after latching onto Harry Kane's knockdown.

Harry Maguire's marauding run forward resulted in a fine pass through for Foden, whose shot was charged down by Kristinsson, who then denied the midfielder again before Kane curled wide.

Iceland's hopes seemed to have been extinguished nine minutes into the second half – Saevarsson receiving a second yellow for pulling back Saka.

Kari Arnason might have changed that, yet he headed wide from Ari Freyr Skulason's corner.

Yet England had the third goal their dominance deserved in the 80th minute when Foden swept home from Jadon Sancho's cutback.

The 20-year-old Foden was not done there, however, and capped off a fine individual display with a thumping strike into the bottom-right corner.

What does it mean? Southgate's system finally clicks

England have now remained unbeaten in their final game of a calendar year in each of the last seven years (W5 D2), since a 1-0 defeat to Germany in 2013. And though it has been a frustrating Nations League campaign, Southgate’s 3-4-3 formation clicked in style on Wednesday.

The trick now will be if Southgate can find a winning formula at the back to provide the platform for the likes of Grealish, Foden and England's other young guns to do the damage.

The kids are all right

England had four players aged 21 or younger – Saka, Foden, Rice and Mount – in the starting XI for a competitive international for the first time since November 1959 against Northern Ireland, and the youngsters did not let Southgate down.

Foden – the youngest player to score twice in the same match for the national team at Wembley – was the pick of the bunch, and his strikes meant England had three players aged 21 or younger score in the same match for the first time since February 1883.

Hamren's Iceland tenure ends with a whimper

Hamren has taken the decision to step down after this match and Iceland's new coach will face something of a rebuild.

Having taken over after the 2018 World Cup, Hamren has failed to lead Iceland to a third successive major tournament and, on Wednesday, his team mustered just two attempts, failing to test Jordan Pickford at all, and they had only 21.7 per cent of possession.

What's next?

Both of these sides will next be in action during the March international break, with World Cup 2022 qualifying set to start.