There was penalty shoot-out joy for Newcastle United duo Ryan Fraser and Jamal Lewis on Thursday night, as Scotland and Northern Ireland booked their places in the 2021 European Championships play-off finals.
The summer signings both started for their respective nations in their crucial play-off semi-final ties, with another recent United recruit, Jeff Hendrick, also in action for the Republic of Ireland.
But though Hendrick’s side were beaten on spot-kicks by Slovakia, both Fraser and Lewis ended up on the winning sides as Scotland and Northern Ireland kept their qualification hopes alive.
Former Bournemouth wideman Fraser made a late substitute appearance against Israel, as Steve Clarke’s men were held to a goalless draw after 90 minutes at Hampden Park.
Fraser entered the fray as an 84th-minute replacement for Ryan Jack as the Scots sought a winner but, after half an hour of extra time, the contest went to penalties.
And it was Kenny McLean who fired home the winner from the spot, making it 5-3 to the hosts and securing their passage to the final, where they will face Serbia.
Lewis, meanwhile, played 120 minutes as Northern Ireland drew 1-1 in their frantic play-off semi-final clash with Bosnia & Herzegovina in Sarajevo.
That clash also went all the way to penalties, with Ian Baraclough’s side prevailing 5-4 after Liam Boyce stepped up to convert the decisive effort from 12 yards.
Lewis and his teammates will now play Slovakia in the final for a place at EURO 2021.
But it wasn’t such a good night for central midfielder Hendrick, whose Eire side missed out on a play-off final spot after a 4-2 defeat to Slovakia on penalties.
Stephen Kenny’s men were held to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes in Bratislava, with Hendrick playing the full 90 minutes as well as the ensuing period of extra time.
But they were undone in cruel fashion, with Matt Doherty’s penalty miss confirming their exit and ending their ambitions of reaching next summer’s tournament.
Full back Emil Krafth was also in action on Thursday, starting for Sweden in their 2-1 friendly win over Russia.
Krafth lined up at the VEB Stadium in Moscow, but was withdrawn at the break as goals from Alexander Isak and Mattias Johansson earned the visitors a victory.
And in South America, Miguel Almirón was in action for Paraguay as he started in their World Cup qualification clash with Peru in Asuncion.
Andre Carillo put Peru ahead but a brace from Angel Romero looked to have earned the hosts a victory, until Carillo’s late leveller earned the visitors a point.
Magpies flier Almirón played almost the entire match, before he was replaced by Antonio Sanabria deep into stoppage time at the end of the second half.