In a dramatic twist of fate, Alexander Isak, the coveted Liverpool striker, found himself sidelined once again as Sweden faced Slovenia on Friday. Despite being included in the squad, the 25-year-old did not step onto the pitch, leaving fans and coaches questioning his fitness after a staggering three-and-a-half months without game time.

Swedish coach Jon Dahl Tomasson made it clear that he wouldn't rush back Isak, emphasizing the importance of not making 'stupid choices' regarding player health. His absence during a nail-biting 2-2 draw raised eyebrows, signaling just how far off Isak currently is from peak form.

Meanwhile, the football universe shifted its focus to England as Hugo Ekitike stole the spotlight with a memorable debut for France. Drafted last minute into the squad, Ekitike played a key role in France's 2-0 triumph over Ukraine, coming off the bench for the final nine minutes and almost scoring a debut goal. His moment was nearly magical had Kylian Mbappe chosen to pass instead of attempting a delicate chip.

On the defensive front, Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate showcased his skills with a spectacular goal-line clearance that helped France maintain a clean sheet. Alongside Dayot Upamecano, Konate stepped up in the absence of the injured William Saliba.

In other notable matches, Scottish star Andy Robertson played a full match in a gritty 0-0 draw against Denmark, coming agonizingly close to setting up a crucial goal. In a twist of fate, the left-back will soon face his Liverpool teammate Kostas Tsimikas as Greece and Scotland find themselves drawn together.

Not everything went smoothly, though, for Italian hopeful Giovanni Leoni, who missed out on making his highly-anticipated debut after being left out of the squad by coach Gennaro Gattuso. Despite this, Italy secured a win against Estonia, easing some scrutiny after a rocky start to qualifying.

Across continents, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah made headlines too, scoring a penalty in Egypt's 2-0 victory against Ethiopia. Displaying sportsmanship, Salah chose to let Manchester City's Omar Marmoush take a second penalty—one that was also successfully converted.

As this thrilling night of football unfolded, questions lingered about the future of stars like Isak and the rising talents like Ekitike. With major tournaments on the horizon, every moment on the pitch counts more than ever!