Season › 2013-14 › News

Baines gets England start

Lukaku rampant against Croatia as Belgium qualify

Leighton Baines got the opportunity to press his claims for the England left back spot when he started in this evening's World Cup qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley.

Roy Hodgson's side retained their place at the top of their group with a 4-1 win, with Baines and teammate Phil Jagielka playing the full 90 minutes.

Elsewhere, Seamus Coleman celebrated his 25th birthday by being handed the Captain's armband for the Republic of Ireland against Germany. Darron Gibson, who returns from self-imposed exile, and James McCarthy were also in Noel King's starting line-up but they couldn't prevent the Germans running out 3-0 winners.

Meanwhile in an earlier kick-off, Romelu Lukaku romped home a brace of goals from around the halfway line as Belgium beat Croatia 2-1 to secure their spot in Brazil 2014.

Nikica Jelavic was an unused substitute for the Croatians but Kevin Mirallas came on in the second half for the Red Devils who are highly fancied for next year's Finals.

In all, 17 of Everton's squad are on international duty, including Shane Duffy who captained the Ireland's U21s in a 0-0 draw in Romania.

 

---

---

---

About these ads