Moussa Djenepo helped Mali make a winning start to Africa’s second phase of World Cup qualifying, as international football returned for a trio of Southampton stars.
It was an eventful night for the winger, whose 18th-minute penalty was saved by Rwanda goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure in Morocco.
Djenepo’s blushes were spared just a minute later, as teammate Adama Traore pounced to score the only goal of the game.
Elsewhere, Mohamed Elyounoussi played the full 90 minutes as Norway held Netherlands to a 1-1 draw in the European World Cup qualifying section.
Star striker Erling Haaland fired the hosts ahead in Oslo, but former Everton midfielder Davy Klaasen equalised before half-time to complete the scoring.
The third Saint in action on the night was Ché Adams, who played 71 minutes of a tough night for Scotland against Denmark.
The Danes, semi-finalists at Euro 2020, struck twice in quick succession early in the game to clinch a 2-0 victory that ended the Tartan Army’s unbeaten start to their qualifying campaign.
Adams’s Saints strike partner Shane Long had hoped to be involved for Republic of Ireland in Portugal, but has been forced to isolate after testing positive for Covid-19.
It was nearly a night to savour for his countrymen, but Cristiano Ronaldo scored two late headers to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, setting a new record of 111 international goals in the process.
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