Jamal Musiala | Only two of Southampton’s current first team players are in Qatar for the World Cup, but several past Saints are playing for their nations as well.
There have been significant moments for numerous former Southampton players in the World Cup so far, from an assist to a critical goal.
Current Southampton players haven’t played yet in the World Cup in Qatar; Armel Bella-Kotchap was an inactive replacement for Germany against Japan, but Mohammed Salisu could play tomorrow when Ghana takes on Portugal.
However, despite the fact that Nathan Jones’ Saints team is yet to see action at the World Cup. A number of former Southampton players have already made an appearance there.
Southampton players
Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands, Luke Shaw of England, Gareth Bale of Wales. And Moroccan international Sofiane Boufal are among them. In a 0-0 tie with Croatia, Dejan Lovren, another former Saint, was the opponent for Boufal.
With Shaw starting for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions against Iran on Monday. England defeated Iran 6-2 in their opening Group B match. Shaw became the first former Southampton player to appear at the tournament. Shaw was seldom tested defensively. But from full-back, he moved effectively forward and set up Jude Bellingham’s opening goal with an assist.
The next former Saint to play in the tournament was Liverpool centre defender Virgil van Dijk, who led the Netherlands to a 2-0 victory against Senegal. Cody Gakpo, a summer transfer target for Southampton, scored the game’s first goal.
The Welshman stepped up to score an equaliser from the penalty spot as Rob Page’s team rallied from a goal down to win a draw against USA on Monday evening, becoming the first former Saint to score at the competition.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, a former captain of Southampton, played for Denmark in a 0-0 draw with Tunisia on Tuesday. The Tottenham midfielder completed the entire 90 minutes, while Jan Bednarek. A Southampton loanee currently playing for Aston Villa. Did not make a substitute appearance as Poland drew 0-0 with Mexico.
On Wednesday morning, two former Saints players were involved in a matchup. Boufal was playing for Morocco against Croatia, who started Lovren, in the match. Lovren played the whole Group D match, but Boufal only played 65 minutes before being replaced.