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The headline news is that Nikica Jelavic is on his way to Brazil next summer. Jelavic came off the bench late on in Croatia’s World Cup play-off at home to Iceland with his side already 2-0 up thanks to Mario Manzukic and Darijo Srna. That sealed a 2-0 aggregate win and a spot in the World Cup finals for only the fourth time in their history.
It was friendly action for the rest of Everton’s senior internationals with Phil Jagielka starting for England against Germany at Wembley. Ross Barkley came on in the second half but neither player could prevent the Germans coming away with a 1-0 win.
Kevin Mirallas scored early on for Belgium in their friendly with Japan but three goals from the visitors meant Tony Alderwereld’s late strike was merely a consolation. Mirallas played the full 90 minutes while Romelu Lukaku played 75.
Tim Howard captained the USA once again after leading the side against Scotland on Friday but saw his side slip to a 1-0 defeat in Austria thanks to a goal from Marc Janko.
Steven Naismith played all but the dying minutes of Scotland’s game in freezing Norway, with his side somehow coming away with a 1-0 win thanks to Scott Brown’s second half goal, the Scots surviving 19 shots on target by the hosts.
James McCarthy played just over an hour of Ireland’s bore draw with Poland in Poznan; Seamus Coleman watched the game from the bench.
Costa Rica’s Bryan Oviedo tasted defeat, with former Toffee Tim Cahill scoring the winner for Australia. The goal in the 1-0 win means Cahill is now Australia’s all time leading scorer.
There were four players in Under-21 action this week. Gerard Deulofeu looked impressive once again against Albania, scoring in Spain’s 2-0 win on Monday. John Stones played just over an hour for England in their 9-0 hammering of San Marino while Shane Duffy also kept at clean sheet for Ireland in their draw with Montenegro.
Apostolos ‘I don’t want to go on loan’ Velios is still alive and played for Greece in their 3-1 defeat by Poland, the last action he may see for a while unless he changes his attitude.
More from Royal Blue Mersey:
- Tuesday Toffeelinks: Derby Buildup
- Assessing Everton's Season: Writer's Roundtable
- Everton Classics: Toffees Top Chelsea in Penalties
- Everton international round-up
- John Heitinga - The forgotten one
