Qualifications, wins, goals… A look back at the October break

The second window of the international break ended this Wednesday for the Monegasques concerned. Here's look back at the window, including World Cup qualifiers, goals, and assists.

The time has come for Ligue 1 to resume! While the second international window has just ended with around ten Monegasques involved, Ligue 1 returns this Saturday with a trip to Angers for the Rouge et Blanc (7 p.m.). But before fully concentrating on this match — which will be marked by the debut of the new coach Sébastien Pocognoli — let’s take a look back at the highlights of this international break among World Cup qualifiers and decisive players. 🔙 

Diatta and Salisu at the World Cup… 🌍

Let’s start with some good news: Krépin Diatta’s Senegal have qualified for the World Cup. A starter in wins over South Sudan (0-5) and against Mauritania (4-0) on Tuesday, the Monaco Swiss Army knife, who provided an assist in the final match, greatly contributed to their holding on to first place in their group.

⚽⚽ Sadio Mané s'offre un doublé pour le Sénégal contre la Mauritanie et prend le costume d'héros de la nation !

Le direct : https://t.co/icnqogyDWRpic.twitter.com/mZzSrRrVNT

— L'Équipe (@lequipe) October 14, 2025

It was a near-flawless run of matches (7 wins, 3 draws), to which Lamine Camara, injured for this set of matches, also contributed by participating in seven matches. The two players thus imitated the Ghana of Mohammed Salisu, who themselves qualified a few days earlier. The central defender, who played in both matches against the Central African Republic (0-5) and the Comoros (1-0), distinguished himself with a goal from a corner in the first match.

Mohammed Salisu's goal against Central African Republic pic.twitter.com/9R3OjAAm6u

— Shaban Mohammed (@ShabanMo9) October 8, 2025

Akliouche and Biereth are getting closer 🔜

Among our European players, while there have been no official qualifications, it is nonetheless close for Maghnes Akliouche’s France. Selected once again by Didier Deschamps, the Monaco star provided an assist in the 2-2 draw in Iceland, his first for the national team, and allowed Les Bleus to extend their lead by three points and a better goal difference over second-placed Ukraine with two matches remaining.

🇮🇸 Islande 1 - 2 France 🇫🇷 #ISLFRA

BUUUT ! Mateta donne l'avantage aux Bleus grâce à une passe décisive incroyable d'Akliouche.

Le match des Bleus à suivre en direct sur TF1 & @tf1plus : https://t.co/weZlNONisNpic.twitter.com/FXtjGUfs0P

— TF1 (@TF1) October 13, 2025

Mika Biereth played 20 minutes for Denmark, who also enjoyed success during the international break, winning in Belarus (0-6) and Greece (3-1). With Scotland level on points, the Danes will have a crucial match to negotiate against their direct rivals in November to secure their place in the World Cup.

Balogun and Minamino lead their teams 🎯

This pressure is unfamiliar to Folarin Balogun and Takumi Minamino, who have already qualified with the United States and Japan and participated in friendlies this break. Determined to show their mettle, both were decisive, starting with the American striker who earned his team a draw by equalizing against Ecuador (1-1), becoming just the second player for his national team to be involved in 11 goals in his first 17 starts (7 goals, 4 assists).

Two goals in two USMNT games for Folarin Balogun 🫡 pic.twitter.com/71RbulEoXa

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 11, 2025

Then it was the Japanese midfielder’s turn to find the net in a duel against Brazil’s Caio Henrique, who came on in the last quarter of an hour. Taking advantage of a defensive error, Taki’ didn’t hesitate to score his 25th international goal to reduce the score to 2-1. It proved to precious goal as Japan staged a comeback to win 3-2 and secure a prestigious victory.

🇯🇵 Takumi Minamino scoring against Brazil for Japan.

Absolutely love to see it. Will always have a special place in my heart. He was a brilliant servant to #LFC.

He’s also wearing the captain’s armband for Japan in Wataru Endo’s absence.
pic.twitter.com/Rgj4GOLCTt

— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) October 14, 2025

Idumbo Decisive with Les Diablotins 👏

Finally, let’s turn to the youth teams and talk about Stanis Idumbo’s excellent performance with the Belgian U21s. The young winger, who arrived in the Principality this summer, was decisive in both matches in U21 Euro qualifiers. First, he won a penalty against Wales, then he provided the final pass for the Diablotins‘ opening goal against Denmark. Well done, guys! 👏

🎥⚽️ Norman Bassette GOAL 🆚 Denmark U21 (Assist by Stanis Idumbo) #NormanBassette#U21EURO#BELDEN

pic.twitter.com/Ja0Np4oj8W

— Absolute Belgian Fans 🇧🇪 (@BelgianFans) October 14, 2025