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Southampton: Bednarek draws with Italy as Armstrong’s Scotland lose

By Chris Hughes

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Callum McGregor and Stuart Armstrong of Scotland battles for the ball with Youri Tielemans of Belgium during the International Friendly match between Scotland and Belgium at Hampden Park on September 7, 2018 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Callum McGregor and Stuart Armstrong of Scotland battles for the ball with Youri Tielemans of Belgium during the International Friendly match between Scotland and Belgium at Hampden Park on September 7, 2018 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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As the international break continues, two Southampton players in Jan Bednarek and Stuart Armstrong started for their respective national sides.

However, the duo enjoyed mixed success on the night, with Bednarek’s Poland recording a respectable draw against Roberto Mancini’s Italy whilst Armstrong and his Scotland side were thumped 4-0 by World Cup semi-finalists Belgium.

The young centre-back may not of got many minutes with Southampton so far this season but he started for his national side tonight, as new Poland manager Jerzy Brzeczek clearly rates the 22-year-old highly.

Piotr Zielinski scored the away side’s only goal of the game with five minutes to go in the first-half as he was assisted with a smart cross from Poland’s talisman Robert Lewandowski – Zielinksi himself plies his trade in Italy as the midfielder plays for Napoli.

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VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA – JUNE 28: Jan Bednarek of Poland celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0 during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Poland at Volgograd Arena on June 28, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA – JUNE 28: Jan Bednarek of Poland celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0 during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Poland at Volgograd Arena on June 28, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

However it wasn’t to be a memorable evening on Poland’s UEFA Nation’s League bow, as Chelsea’s Jorginho scored from the spot to level proceedings with 78 minutes on the clock.

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Despite a spirited performance from Poland, the game will be remembered for Mario Balotelli’s competitive return to the Italian national team after four years – the controversial striker enjoyed a tough evening however and has come in for some criticism for his fitness levels.

Meanwhile Armstrong played 53 minutes as his side were embarrassed on home soil by the Red Devils – as three players with Premier League experience all found of the back of the net north of the border.

Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku were on target for the first two whilst Michy Batshauyi, on loan at Valencia from Chelsea, scored a brace to put the game to bed.

The match was Andrew Robertson’s first as captain and the Scot’s will hope to move on quickly – Armstrong and co. have a much more winnable game on Monday night against Albania. Poland meanwhile face Ireland on Tuesday.

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