Look back at how Sunderland AFC players got on over the international period
Patrick van Aanholt – Netherlands
Van Aanholt made his first appearance for the Netherlands national side for the first time since May 2014 as he played the final 12 minutes in the 3-2 defeat to France.
It was an emotional night in the Amsterdam Arena as the country remembered legendary player and coach Johan Cryuff. France took an early two-goal lead through Antoine Griezmann and Oliver Giroud. Luuk De Jong and Ibrahim Afellay brought them level but Van Aanholt’s introduction couldn’t prevent Blaise Matuidi securing the win.
It was a very similar scenario at Wembley on Tuesday as the Black Cat came on with eight minutes remaining as goals from Vicent Janssen and Luciano Narsingh cancelled out Jamie Vardy’s effort to give them the 2-1 win over England.
John O’Shea – Republic of Ireland
O’Shea captained Martin O’Neill’s side to a four-goal thriller over Slovakia on Tuesday evening.
It was a crazy 45 minutes as Miroslav Stoch gave the away side the lead but quick-fire goals from Shane Long and former Black Cat James McClean gave the Irish the lead. However an own goal from Paul McShane on the stroke of half-time ended Ireland’s four-game winning streak.
Sebastian Larsson – Sweden
Larsson continued his road to full fitness as he lined up for Sweden’s 1-1 stalemate with the Czech Republic.
It was the Swedes that took the lead through Marcus Berg but Reading striker Matej Vydra made sure the spoils were shared.
DeAndre Yedlin – USA
Tottenham loanee DeAndre Yedlin was left with an evening to forget over the weekend as the USA suffered a 2-0 defeat to Guatemala in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Yedlin started in the midfield for Jurgen Klinsmann’s side but could do nothing to prevent goals from Rafael Morales and Carlos Ruiz.
They managed to redeem themselves on Tuesday night with a 4-0 romp in the return. Yedlin starred again as goals from Clint Dempsey, Geoff Cameron, Graham Zusi and a final strike from former Sunderland man Jozy Altidore secured the impressive win.
Jordan Pickford – England Under-21’s
Young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford continued his Meteoric rise as he helped maintain the England Under-21’s unbeaten record in 2017 European U21 Championships qualifying stage with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland.
Chuba Akpom opened the scoring at the beginning of the second period but Pickford was denied a clean sheet by Florian Kamberi 14 minutes from time.
Rees Greenwood – England Under-20’s
It was a special weekend for Sunderland youngster Rees Greenwood as he was handed his first start for the England Under-20’s in the match with Canada.
It didn’t prove to be a fairytale ending as two wonder goals from Kadin Chong and Marcos Bustos proved the difference as Kasey Palmer’s late effort couldn’t prevent the 2-1 defeat.
Emanuele Giaccherini - Italy
Loanee Giaccherini furthered his credentials for a place in Italy's Euro 2016 squad as he impressed across the international week.
He was directly involved in last Thursday's 1-1 draw with Spain as he assited Lorenzo Insigne's opener but Aritz Aduriz's quick equaliser shared the spoils.
The midfielder currently on loan at Bologna could do nothing to cancel out Germany's 4-1 demoltion of Antonio Conte's side though, with goals from Toni Kroos, Mario Gotze, Jonas Hector and Mesut Ozil cancelled out Stephan El Shaarawy's consolation.
Steven Fletcher/Liam Bridcutt – Scotland
The two loanees were both in action for their country during the international break as Scotland continued their good run of form as a single goal from Matt Richie gave them an impressive victory over Denmark.