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Southampton: McCarthy and Davis play their part in int’l friendlies

By Marc Walker

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Steve Davis of Northern Ireland during the international friendly football match between Northern Ireland and Israel at Windsor Park on September 11, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Steve Davis of Northern Ireland during the international friendly football match between Northern Ireland and Israel at Windsor Park on September 11, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /
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Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy made his England debut yesterday evening, whilst Steven Davis captained Northern Ireland.

Both players were involved in friendlies as England triumphed over the USA 3-0, whilst Northern Ireland drew 0-0 away to the Republic of Ireland.

McCarthy was made to wait until the second-half to get his first 45 minutes on the pitch at international level and wouldn’t be forced into a save or overly tested.

Goals from Jesse Lingard, Trent Alexander-Arnold and fellow another debutant Callum Wilson proved enough for the three lions to win on Wayne Rooney’s final appearance in an England shirt.

Davis played the whole 90 minutes for Northern Ireland, who put side would put in a great showing and were unlucky not to claim a victory.

Next. Three reasons Charlie Austin deserves praise for weekend referee outburst. dark

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 07: Jack Butland and Alex McCarthy of England walk onto the pitch ahead of an England training session at St Georges Park on September 7, 2018 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 07: Jack Butland and Alex McCarthy of England walk onto the pitch ahead of an England training session at St Georges Park on September 7, 2018 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

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Opposition keeper Darren Randolph was forced into two wonderful saves to keep the scores level and claim a draw against their biggest rivals.

McCarthy and England now wait until Sunday for their second game of this latest international break and it will certainly be an important one.

They face Croatia at Wembley in the Nations League and a win for Gareth Southgate’s side will be enough to see them through to the next stage of the competition, whilst a loss will see them relegated to a lower tier.

Both England and Croatia sit on four points in group A4 of the competition, with Spain currently leading on six after already playing their four group matches.

Davis will hope to be heavily involved again as Northern Ireland return to competitive action too and host Austria in Belfast.

They will be playing only for pride though as they sit bottom of Nations League group B3 with no points and cannot catch the Austrians in second place.

Four further Saints players had matches to play today for their countries. Maya Yoshida’s Japan drew 1-1 with Venezuela earlier on, whilst Jannik Vestergaard and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg hope to play a part for Denmark this evening in their Nations League game against Wales.

Moi Elyounoussi and Norway are also in action and they face Slovenia away from home.

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