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The day started very early for Liverpool's internationals, with Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates both featuring in Uruguay's 4-2 win in Japan. Most of the post-match there was spent trying to decipher what, exactly, Suarez did or didn't say about his Liverpool future, but ultimately most of us decided to just pretend that nothing was actually happening, because there wasn't necessarily anything to suggest that something did. As I look back that doesn't really make sense, but I don't know that it's supposed to.
Anyway, we've only got a couple others that played a part for their countries later in the day, both of whom thankfully appear to have made it through their respective friendlies in good health and fitness. Now comes the rest and quick rehab for Saturday, as each of the pair that got involved in the evening should have a significant part to play when Stoke come calling in the first Premier League match of the season.
England 3: Walcott 29', Welbeck 53', Lambert 70'
Scotland 2: Morrison 11', Miller 49'
Steven Gerrard captained England and played an hour for Roy Hodgson's squad, who ultimately pulled out the victory despite going behind twice. An actual football match occurred at times, though it was mostly the type of fare you'd expect from the two sides. Wonderful to see Rickie Lambert get his first-ever goal for the senior squad in his debut, while Kenny Miller's strike to put Scotland ahead was terrific. Glen Johnson didn't feature, as Kyle Walker played all ninety minutes in the win.
Wales 0
Ireland 0
No goals at Cardiff City Stadium, where Joe Allen turned in an 86-minute shift for Chris Coleman. Wales also had Craig Bellamy in action for an hour, but neither side could find a finish and everyone is probably sort of shrugging right now anyway so let's get to something else.
Belgium 0
France 0
COME ON!!! Thibaut Courtois played the entire match for Belgium, leaving Simon Mignolet on the bench for the duration of the scoreless draw with France. Belgium was supposed to be all-action with the fancy names, but the fact that this didn't really mean anything and the games that matter are coming up soon might have had something to do with it.
And just like that, it's over. No more stupid, stupid FIFA--at least for a month or two--no more transfer talk (HAHA JKLOLOL), no more waiting. Well, just a couple days' worth. It's nearly here.
Here's Rickie Lambert's headed winner in the meantime, for the lovers: