Denmark's forward #09 Rasmus Hojlund (C)celebrates scoring the 3-0 goal with team mate Denmark's defender #17 Patrick Dorgu (2nd,R)during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C European qualification football match Belarus vs Denmark in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, on October 9, 2025.placeholder image
Denmark's forward #09 Rasmus Hojlund (C)celebrates scoring the 3-0 goal with team mate Denmark's defender #17 Patrick Dorgu (2nd,R)during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C European qualification football match Belarus vs Denmark in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, on October 9, 2025. | AFP via Getty Images
It was a good night for some Manchester United and Manchester City players in action on international duty
Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu was on the scoresheet as Denmark hammered Belarus 6-0 away from home to give their World Cup hopes a major boost.
The Danes sit top of Group C and are level on points with Scotland but the thumping win on Thursday night put them top on goal difference. Dorgu scored in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time to put Denmark 4-0 up.
His goal came after Victor Froholdt had opened the scoring before United transfer flop Rasmus Hojlund scored in the 19th and 45th minute. Hojlund joined United in 2023 for around £72m from Serie A side Atalanta but failed to live up to the billing at Old Trafford.
He returned to Italy in the summer as he joined Napoli on loan and has reinvigorated his career since his departure from United. He also assisted Dorgu’s goal against Denmark as he continues to find form since leaving Old Trafford.
Rasmus Hojlund praised by teammates after Denmark double
Danish forward Gustav Isaksen said after the win: “He was just class. He filled a lot in the box, and he also did many other good things besides his goals. He helped us a lot in the game. He is a really good striker, and I hope he can also score some goals against Greece.”
Hojlund himself said: “It's always good to score, and I had a long period where I didn't score for Denmark, so it's nice that I've had a bit of luck with it.
"It was a special match to be a part of, but we took the task incredibly seriously. Whether we play at the Bernabeu or without fans, we have to get the three points."
On the assist for Dorgu, he added: “I could have shot on goal, but in terms of football it was the best decision to play him completely free.”
Man City man on scoresheet as Netherlands hammer Malta
Elsewhere, Manchester City ace Tijjani Reijnders found the net as the Netherlands hammered Malta 4-0 away from home. Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo scored twice from the penalty spot while ex-United man Memphis Depay completed the scoring with a goal deep in stoppage time.
“We won 0-4, so that's good. I didn't find it frustrating, but we could have done things better. I thought we started well, even though we gave away a chance to Malta in the opening minutes,” said manager Ronald Koeman afterwards, in what appeared to be a reference to a mistake from Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk. The Reds captain played a loose back-pass that almost result in a goal for Malta.
"Jurrien Timber played very well in the build-up. He freed himself a few times towards midfield and then we were able to find our people there. After that, I thought, because they also started to put a lot of pressure, that we should have found solutions faster.
“Then the pace went down. But we gave maximum throttle until the end. There were a lot of good things, so I pay less attention to what you think.”
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