THERE was World Cup joy for Leeds United wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson and Hull City midfielder Amir Hadziametovic after helping Sweden and Bosnia and Herzegovina claim their tickets to this summer's global jamboree in North America.
Gudmundsson started Sweden's dramatic 3-2 play-off final victory over Poland in Stockholm.
Meanwhile, Hadziametovic was a late extra-time substitute in Bosnia's tense final against Italy in Zenica, which ended 1-1. The hosts triumphed 4-1 on penalties as the Azzurri, four-time world champions, failed to qualify for a third World Cup in a row.
It was also a significant night on the international stage for Barnsley midfielder Patrick Kelly, with the 21-year-old making his first senior appearance for Northern Ireland in their 1-1 friendly draw against Wales in Cardiff.
Gabriel Gudmundsson will be at this summer's World Cup.placeholder image
Gabriel Gudmundsson will be at this summer's World Cup.
Middlesbrough midfield duo Aidan Morris and Riley McGree face long treks back to the UK ahead of Boro's pivotal Easter programme after representing the USA and Australia respectively in friendlies.
Morris played 79 minutes of the Stars and Stripes' 2-0 loss to Portugal in Atlanta, while McGree impressed with a late cameo from the bench as the Socceroos signed off for this summer's World Cup with a 5-1 triumph over Curacao in Melbourne.
Boro's Sontje Hansen was an 82nd-minute replacement for Curacao, while Rotherham United's Ar'Jany Martha also came on. Sheffield United's Tahith Chong started.
Tommy Conway came off from the bench in Scotland's 1-0 friendly reverse to Ivory Coast at Everton's Hill-Dickinson Stadium.
Middlesbrough's Morgan Whittaker (centre) and Hull City's Amir Hadziahmetovic (centre right) battle for the ball during the Sky Bet Championship at MKM Stadium in December. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire.placeholder image
Middlesbrough's Morgan Whittaker (centre) and Hull City's Amir Hadziahmetovic (centre right) battle for the ball during the Sky Bet Championship at MKM Stadium in December. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire.
Boro welcome Millwall in a promotion six-pointer in the Championship on Friday lunch-time.
There were also friendly starts for Hull duo John Egan and Liam Millar, with the former being part of the Ireland side who drew 0-0 with North Macedonia in Dublin.
Blades loanee Chieo Ogbene also lined up from the off, while Boro's Alan Browne came on from the bench late on.
Tigers winger Millar started in Canada's 0-0 draw against Tunisia in Toronto. His club are in action at Oxford United on Good Friday.
Leeds defender Jaka Bijol captained Slovenia in their 3-2 win in Montenegro.
Jamaica missed out on the World Cup finals after a 1-0 play-off loss to Congo. Steel City duo Andre Brooks and Jamal Lowe were part of the Reggae Boyz squad.