International updates: Maza with goal and assist – Oranje draw

+++ 25 September: Outstanding Maza leads Algeria to opening win +++

Algeria made a successful start to Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with a comfortable 3-1 win over Zambia. Ibrahim Maza played the full match and scored the goal that made it 2-1 as well as setting up the final goal. The Fennecs continue in Group I against Burundi before finishing the international period with a friendly against Niger.

+++ 25 September: Tapsoba and Co with draw in AFCON qualifying +++

With Edmond Tapsoba in the starting XI, Burkina Faso were held to a 1-1 draw by Benin at the start of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations. Both goals were penalties. Their next opponents in Group F are Central African Republic, before Tapsoba and Co travel to Buenos Aires for a friendly against World Cup runners-up Argentina.

+++ 25 September: Moreira subbed on in Portugal U21 loss +++

Afonso Moreira kicked things off on Friday evening from a Leverkusen point of view. The 21-year-old came off the bench in the 65th minute of Portugal U21's clash against Bulgaria, with his team 1-0 up, but they threw away the lead in the closing stages and went on to lose 2-1. The Portuguese youngsters remain top of Group B in European Championship qualifying, however - in fact it was the first two goals they've conceded in the campaign after eight rounds of matches. Their final two fixtures are against Gibraltar, who are bottom with no points, and closest pursuers Czech Republic.

+++ 24 September: Cameroon, with Kofane in the line-up, win their opening Africa Cup of Nations qualifier +++

Cameroon’s national team lived up to their role as favourites in their home match against the Comoros, securing their first three points in their bid to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3–1 victory. Werkself striker Christian Kofane started the match but remained in the dressing room at half-time – a precautionary measure, as national team coach David Pagou explained afterwards. Their next opponents in the coming days are Congo (AFCON qualifier) and Côte d’Ivoire (friendly).

+++ 24 September: A hard-fought point against Germany +++

A classic football fixture took place at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on Thursday night: The Netherlands and Germany faced on Matchday 1 in the new UEFA Nations League (League A) campaign. It also marked the first outing of the two new national team managers: Xavi took charge of the Oranje, while Jürgen Klopp led the Germany team as head coach.

The hosts, with Bayer 04 goalkeeper Mark Flekken on the bench, made the better start with a goal in the twelfth minute – though it was disallowed following a VAR review due to a foul. Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha put Germany ahead on the half-hour mark – this time within the rules. The final word went to the Oranje when Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo scored in second-half stoppage time to make it 1–1. The other opponents in the current international break are Serbia (twice) and Greece.

Overview of international fixtures: