Mateo Kovacic captained Croatia as they moved a step closer towards the World Cupplaceholder image
Mateo Kovacic captained Croatia as they moved a step closer towards the World Cup | AFP via Getty Images
Manchester City could have another four players in World Cup action next summer after the latest international fixtures.
Man City will be full of confidence when they return to Premier League action against Everton this weekend after a quartet of players impressed in the latest round of international fixtures.
Pep Guardiola's side are currently unbeaten over the last seven fixtures across all competitions and signed off for the October international break with a 1-0 victory away at Brentford. City appear to have found form at a crucial time, with another seven matches before the final international break of the year.
League clashes with Everton, Aston Villa and Bournemouth are followed by midweek matches against Villarreal, Swansea and Borussia Dortmund, before a home tie with Liverpool before the November break. The Blues should head into this run of matches full of self-belief with several stars shining during the recent international matches.
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Kovacic leads Croatia to victory
Man City had four players involved across two fixtures on Sunday night, as Mateo Kovacic lead Croatia a step closer towards World Cup qualification. The 31-year-old captained Croatia in their 3-0 victory over Gibraltar, before he was replaced by Luka Modric in the 69th minute of the match.
It meant he spent just short of ten minutes on the pitch alongside club teammate Josko Gvardiol, who came on to replace Marin Pongracic on the hour mark. Toni Fruk opened the scoring for his country before second-half goals from Luka Sucic and Martin Erlic ensured three points.
Croatia sit top of Group L with a three-point lead over Czechia and a game in hand. They will qualify for the tournament if they take a point from their match against surprise package Faroe Islands next month.
Reijnders impresses from the bench
The other Man City involvement saw Nathan Ake and Tijani Reijnders feature for the Netherlands in their comfortable 4-0 victory over Finland on Sunday night. The 30-year-old defender came on in the 71st minute of the match when he replaced Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven.
It means he also got to spend time on the pitch with club teammate Reijnders, who was was brought on at half-time with his side three goals up to replace Ryan Gravenberch. There was also a Premier League feel to the scoreline as Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk scored early on, before Manchester United flop Memphis Depay made it 3-0 from the penalty spot and Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo made it 4-0 late on.
The victory means the Netherlands sit top of Group G, three points ahead of Poland who they play in the November international break. They are assured of a play-off berth at the very least.
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