INTERNATIONAL ROUND-UP: MORATA BOOED, VERMEEREN GETS MINUTES AND MORE

Atlético Madrid saw eight players head off on senior international duty in this window, with a further two featuring for Spain’s under 21 side, though Diego Simeone will be pleased to know that no player recorded the full 180 minutes available. There were no goals, and only one assist, among the 10 internationals, in what was a fairly meaningless break for friendly action for all involved.

Álvaro Morata with Spain

It was a frustrating international window for Álvaro Morata, who featured in both of Spain’s games as captain, playing 28 minutes in a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in London before then starting and playing 81 minutes at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in a 3-3 draw with Brazil. The game at the home of Real Madrid saw him booed off, to the embarrassment of coach Luis de la Fuente who slammed his own fans post-match.

Jan Oblak with Slovenia

It was a strong international window for Jan Oblak, who avoided conceding in 45 minutes against Malta, though his replacement Vid Belec let in two in a 2-2 draw against Malta, and then followed that up with an impressive 2-0 win over Portugal. In truth, Oblak was barely tested by João Félix, Cristiano Ronaldo or any of the Portugal attack, forcing him into making just two saves.

Rodrigo de Paul and Nahuel Molina with Argentina

The Argentine duo Rodrigo de Paul and Nahuel Molina secured two wins as their country beat El Salvador 3-0 and Costa Rica 3-1 in friendlies. De Paul played just over an hour in the 3-0 victory, with Molina then playing the full 90 minutes as De Paul came on as a late sub in Los Angeles as Keylor Navies was beaten on three occasions.

Stefan Savić with Montenegro

Montenegro beat Belarus without Stefan Savić, but recalled the defender for a 1-0 victory over North Macedonia in which he played the full 90 minutes and was shown a yellow card in a game played in Turkey.

Horațiu Moldovan with Romania

Horațiu Moldovan made his first appearance at the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano in the colours of his country, Romania, in a 3-2 defeat to Colombia. He made three saves in a strong display, despite the scoreline, having previously been rested against Northern Ireland in the first game of the international window.

Memphis Depay with The Netherlands

The Netherlands had contrasting fortunes as Memphis Depay featured in both games, being shown a yellow card in a 4-0 win over Scotland in which he missed one major chance for the home side in Amsterdam. In the second fixture, he held the ball up well and flicked on a header to Joey Veerman to give the Dutch team the lead against Germany, only for Toni Kroos and co. to mount a comeback in Frankfurt and win 2-1.

Arthur Vermeeren with Belgium

There was a third Belgium international appearance for 19-year-old Arthur Vermeeren as Domenico Tedesco started the midfielder against Ireland. He conceded a penalty for handball, which was saved by goalkeeper Matz Sels, in a quiet game which ended with a 0-0 draw, and was left on the bench for the draw with England.

Alejandro Iturbe and Pablo Barrios with Spain under 21s

Both Alejandro Iturbe and Pablo Barrios played the first 45 minutes of a 2-0 defeat to Slovakia under 21s, with the 1-0 scoreline at the break of the friendly leading to changes. In the second game of the window, Iturbe played the full 90 minutes and Barrios played 83 in a late 1-0 win over Belgium, with Samu Omoriodon also featuring.

2024-03-27T08:22:56Z dg43tfdfdgfd