WATCH: Mount scores for England; Pulisic converts penalty for USA; Zouma starts for France

Hot Sunday action coming your way as we approach the halfway point of this most unwelcome international break, but at least we have a couple goals to celebrate as both Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic got on the scoreboard for their respective countries.

Mount, who started once again as part of a midfield-three for Gareth Southgate, finished off a flowing move from a turnover to seal England’s 2-0 win over Albania in World Cup qualifying. Mount played the full 90 after playing 45 three days ago against San Marino, so hopefully he gets a bit more of a breather in England’s final game of the break, against Poland on Wednesday.

It was young Mason’s fourth international goal, in his 15th appearance. With Marcus Rashford injured, only Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling have more among current England national team regulars.

Earlier in the day, over in Belfast, the US Men’s National Team beat Northern Ireland, 2-1 in a friendly, with Christian Captain America Pulisic also scoring the second goal for his team before a late consolation from Niall McGinn for the home side. Pulisic took his shot low and hard, though you do have wonder a bit about the goalkeeper’s (slow) reaction on this one.

This was Pulisic’s 36th appearance for the national team already, at just age 22, scoring for the 15th time.

Elsewhere, Kurt Zouma started as France kept a clean sheet against Kazakhstan. Olivier Giroud did not feature while N’Golo Kanté had returned to Chelsea earlier in the week after picking up a hamstring injury. Zouma has now played in 3 of France’s last 5 games, after featuring just three times over five years, from 2015 to 2020, as he battled his devastating ACL injury.