International round-up: Yarmoliuk earns first cap as Ukraine beat Belgium | OneFootball

Brentford’s Yehor Yarmoliuk made his senior international debut for Ukraine in their UEFA Nations League play-off against Belgium on Thursday evening.

Introduced in the 62nd minute, with his side trailing 1-0 thanks to Romelu Lukaku’s goal shortly before the break, the Bees midfielder helped his nation to a 3-1 victory.

The result leaves Ukraine in a commanding position heading into the second leg in Belgium on Sunday 23 March.

“Before [the war], I was really proud to play for Ukraine. Now, when you get the Ukraine shirt on it means a lot for me and every player who plays for Ukraine,” said Yarmoliuk in a recent interview.

“In every game, you’re leaving everything on the pitch for Ukraine. We are playing for everyone in Ukraine.

“It’s the Ukrainian mentality. We will never give up; we just keep going. I’m really proud of my country and I’m really proud to be Ukrainian.”

Elsewhere, Brentford captain Christian Nørgaard played the full 90 minutes as Denmark beat Portugal 1-0 in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final tie.

Nørgaard impressed at the base of midfield, creating two chances and completing 51 of his 54 passes (94 per cent).

Manchester United striker Rasmus Højlund scored the only goal of the game in the 78th minute.

Mikkel Damsgaard missed out due to illness, while goalkeeper Mark Flekken – also for a Nations League quarter-final first leg - was an unused substitute in the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw with Spain.

Defender Nathan Collins captained Republic of Ireland to a 2-1 victory over Bulgaria in the first leg of their Nations League play-off in Plovdiv.

Ireland fell behind to Marin Petkov's sixth-minute strike, but goals from Finn Azaz and Matt Doherty gave them a narrow lead to take into Sunday's meeting in Dublin.

Hákon Valdimarsson and Iceland fell to a 2-1 defeat to Kosovo in the Nations League play-offs.

Lumbardh Dellova’s opening goal in the 19th minute was quickly cancelled out by Iceland forward Orri Oskarsson, but Elvis Rexhbeçaj scored the decisive goal just before the hour mark.

Bryan Mbeumo’s Cameroon were held to a draw by Eswatini as African qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup continued on Wednesday.

The Brentford forward came closest to breaking the deadlock for the Indomitable Lions, striking the woodwork with a curling effort from distance in the first half.

Also in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying, young goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva was on the bench as Zimbabwe drew 2-2 with Benin.