Fourteen Premier League players found the net for their countries during the September international break. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland led the way with three goals for Norway. He scored twice in Norway's 3-2 Nations League victory over Denmark and added another goal in their 2-1 defeat by Portugal. This brings Haaland's total international goals to 65 in 57 appearances.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres also had a productive international break, scoring twice for Sweden. His goals came in victories over Romania and Poland. Another notable performer was Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa, who scored twice for DR Congo during the break. These performances highlight the significant contributions of Premier League players to their national teams.
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak scored for Sweden in their 2-1 Nations League victory over Romania. His club-mate Cody Gakpo also made an impact, scoring a stoppage-time equaliser against Germany for the Netherlands. These goals demonstrate the impact of Premier League players on the international stage.
Other Premier League players who scored during the international break include Malick Yalcouyé of Brighton & Hove Albion for Ivory Coast, Michael Kayode of Brentford for Italy, and Christos Tzolis of Arsenal for Greece. Each of these players made significant contributions to their national teams' performances.
Some players not only scored but also had notable debuts during the international break. Brighton midfielder Yalcouyé scored and won a penalty on his Ivory Coast debut in a 2-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying victory over Ghana. Brentford defender Kayode also scored on his Italy debut in their 4-1 victory over Turkey.
The international break also saw other Premier League players feature prominently for their national teams. Liverpool's new centre-back Jeremy Jacquet kept a clean sheet on his France debut in a 1-0 win over Belgium. However, the break was not without injuries, with several Premier League players, including Liverpool's Isak and Gakpo, Arsenal's Kai Havertz, and Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu, suffering injuries.
The extended 16-day international break ends on October 6, with Premier League action resuming on October 10. As the league resumes, teams will look to build on the momentum gained by their players during the international break. The performances of these players highlight the significant role the Premier League plays in international football.
Key points
- Erling Haaland led the way with three goals for Norway during the September international break.
- Fourteen Premier League players scored for their countries during the September international break.
- Several Premier League players made notable debuts or achieved significant milestones during the international break.
