This is the internationals wrap up thread. Try to contain your excitement.
We'll get back to Liverpool soon enough, as we're now more than halfway there, and for the most part it was a successful Friday for Liverpool's internationals. It was a complete success for us, though, as we didn't see anyone pick up an injury on the day. Now there's just the small matter of making it through Tuesday, but no need to start your problem drinking for that. Yet.
Euro 2012 Qualifiers:
Russia 1, Slovakia 0
Martin Skrtel's hopes for Euro qualification go up in smoke, as the Slovaks were unable to get the result they needed against Group B leaders (and now frontrunners) Russia. Alan Dzagoev goal in the 69th minute proved to be the difference, and the hosts couldn't find the net despite a number of decent chances. As he has throughout qualifying, Skrtel logged a full 90 and was mostly decent, but yesterday's result means that Tuesday's match in Macedonia is only a formality.
Netherlands 1, Moldova 0
Like Skrtel, Dirk Kuyt played all 90 minutes, but it came in a winning effort over a tough Moldovan side. The hosts got the winner late in the first half through Klaas Jan-Huntelaar, and they were able to maintain their 100% record in qualifying. Kuyt continues to be a mainstay for Bert van Marwijk, again starting on the left and creating a number of chances for the Dutch including the winner. Hopefully the start at Everton sees a trend beginning for the club that's already well-cemented for his country.
Wales 2, Switzerland 0
The Welsh continued their strong(ish) finish to qualifying by putting two past the Swiss, who could have drawn within a point of Montenegro with a win. Craig Bellamy played all 90 minutes after serving his ban and had a few good looks on goal; they'd eventually get the winner from an Aaron Ramsey penalty, and added to their lead with a Welsh Jesus special on 70 minutes. Qualification's too far gone, but a result in Bulgaria on Tuesday would round out a nice ending for Wales.
Montenegro 2, England 2
Fabio Capello's squad got the point they needed, and the result in Swansea means that Montenegro did enough to make their way into the playoffs. Andy Carroll was omitted from the squad, but Stewart Downing came on in the 60th minute for goalscorer Ashley Young. It wouldn't be an England match with some sort of farce, and thankfully the Wayne Rooney red card and late equalizer obliged. Onward and upward to lifting the trophy next summer! Or a dismal group performance followed by an exit in the first knockout round.
Spain 2, Czech Republic 0
Business as usual for Spain, as former (and at least in one case, current) lust objects Juan Mata and Xabi Alonso each scored in Zlin. Pepe Reina was unfortunate in that he neither played nor got involved in either goal celebration, which is mostly the only type of action he's going to get as long as Iker Casillas is breathing.
World Cup 2014 CONMEBOL Qualifier:
Uruguay 4, Bolivia 2
Luis Suarez kicked off Uruguay's qualifying campaign with a goal on three minutes, poking home a deflected Diego Forlan corner. Like Kuyt and Skrtel, he played a full 90 and ended up as the only Liverpool goalscorer on the day. Sebastian Coates made the bench but didn't make an appearance in the match. They'll take on Paraguay next, and from a traveling standpoint it's a nightmare---kickoff for that match is at 11:45PM BST on Tuesday, which means they'll arrive in Liverpool late Wednesday at the earliest.
International Friendly:
Brazil 1, Costa Rica 0
Neymar's goal in the 59th minute gave Brazil the win in Costa Rica, and Lucas failed to make an appearance for the first time in awhile under Mano Menezes. They'll head to Mexico for Tuesday's friendly, and while it's nice to see him get time, there wouldn't be anything wrong with a rest on Tuesday as well.
There, that wasn't so painful, was it? Oh, right, everything's the worst because there's another round of internationals to go along with Scotland's match later today. Just watch this video of Luis Suarez scoring for Uruguay first, and then setting up the opener against United at Anfield in March. Probably about time to start thinking about next Saturday anyway.