Internationals | Romero's emotional homecoming and a stunning Sonny double
Sat 25 March 2023, 12:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Cristian Romero and his Argentina team-mates were given quite the homecoming in Buenos Aires on Thursday night as the World champions returned home to play their first match since their winter success.
Victors at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, ‘Cuti’ and his colleagues were back on the pitch together for the first time since their penalty shootout victory over France in the December showpiece for a clash with Panama at the Estadio Monumental in front of over 83,000 adoring spectators.
After the team was serenaded from the stands before an emotional national anthem, Cristian helped his country to a 2-0 win over the side from the middle America isthmus with Lionel Messi scoring his 800th career goal after Thiago Almada had broken the deadlock late on. Our number 17 played the full 90 minutes in the Argentine capital before a ceremony took place after the match to honour the World Cup winners.
In South Korea on Friday afternoon, Heung-Min Son was in fine form as he fired home two stunning efforts in his side’s 2-2 draw with Davinson Sanchez’s Colombia.
In what was Spurs legend Jurgen Klinsmann’s first game in charge of the Korea Republic, Sonny opened the scoring on 10 minutes, curling in from range after he intercepted a loose ball. In added time at the end of the first half, he then found the target with a free-kick to double his side’s advantage.
The visitors did hit back though and were level with two quick-fire goals at the start of the second half to earn themselves a draw. Davinson was an unused substitute.
In Senegal, Pape Matar Sarr helped his nation cruise to a 5-1 win over Mozambique as they continued their 100 per-cent record in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Pape played 65 minutes in Diamniadio as Senegal raced into a 4-0 lead before half-time with goals from Youssouf Sabaly, Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye and Boulaye Dia. Gildo Vilanculos did pull one back for the visitors but Habib Diallo later completed the rout, adding his side’s fifth with two minutes remaining. The Lions of Teranga sit atop of Group L with three wins from three.
In Europe, there was disappointment for Dejan Kulusevski as Sweden fell 3-0 to Belgium on home soil in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier. Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku scored an unanswered hat-trick in Stockholm to seal the Red Devils all three points. Dejan played the full 90 minutes.
And finally, in Serbia, Destiny Udogie, who is currently on loan at Udinese, was an unused substitute as Italy Under-21s were 2-0 winners over Serbia.
Today's action
Ivan Perisic / Joe Rodon - Croatia home Euro 2024 qualifier against Wales - kick-off 7.45pm
Bryan Gil and Pedro Porro - Spain home Euro 2024 qualifier against Norway - kick-off 7.45pm
Emerson Royal - Brazil away friendly against Morocco - kick-off 10pm
Oliver Skipp and Djed Spence - England Under-21s home friendly against France - kick-off 5pm
Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett - England Under-20s friendly against USA in Spain - kick-off 3pm
