The international break is almost over and all of the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers scheduled for this week have been played. United face Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday evening but first, let’s take a look at how our boys got on, on the international stage this week…
England/Under-21
Players: Rooney (c), Smalling, Shaw, Carrick, Wilson (u21)
Results: (w) 6-0 vs San Marino
(w) 2-0 vs Switzerland
(w) u21 1-0 vs USA u23
(w) u21 1-0 vs Norway u21
England captain Wayne Rooney drew level with Sir Bobby Charlton on England goals with a penalty against San Marino but was later substituted because Hodgson wanted to give Wayne the chance to surpass Charlton at Wembley, as opposed to in San Marino; and that he did. Scoring his 50th goal for his country, Rooney wrapped up the three points at home against the Swiss. Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling were both excellent, with the former a brilliant attacking threat and the latter contributing massively to clean sheets.
In the under-21 games, James Wilson came off the bench to score the winner against USA under-23, in what was his first appearance for the side. He was an unused substitute in the second game, a 1-0 win against Norway under-21.
Michael Carrick was an unused substitute against San Marino and then was forced to withdraw from the squad prior to the game against Switzerland through injury.
Spain
Players: De Gea, Mata
Results: (w) 2-0 vs Slovakia
(w) 1-0 vs Macedonia
David de Gea and Juan Mata were both unused substitutes against Slovakia as Spain picked up a clean sheet and three points but were crucial in the following game. de Gea started in goal as Spain ground out a win against Macedonia – with Juan Mata’s wonderful/bizarre/accidental goal being the only goal of the game. Take a look here:
Argentina
Players: Romero, Rojo
Results: (w) 7-0 vs Bolivia
(d) 2-2 vs Mexico
Romero started the game against Bolivia, keeping a relatively comfortable clean sheet as his side romped to victory against Bolivia, who can’t have been expecting too much from the game. Rojo then started against Mexico, as a left-back, whilst it was Romero’s turn to sit on the bench. The 2-2 draw was hard-fought, Argentina scoring twice late-on to seal the draw.
Whilst Romero was relatively unchallenged in his game and Rojo conceded twice in the other, it’s nice to see the goalkeeper keeping a clean sheet and the left-sided defender picking up some minutes, as he hasn’t been playing for United so far this season.
Netherlands
Players: Blind, Memphis
Results: (l) 1-0 vs Iceland
(l) 3-0 vs Turkey
Well, the other United players so far in this list had a fairly good international break on terms of results, but that can’t be said for our Dutchmen. Two defeats to arguably much poorer countries have left them staring down the barrel at non-qualification for next year’s European Championships in France.
Blind started both games, the first at left-back and the second in a defensive midfield role. Memphis played both games on the left wing. He was particularly impressive against Turkey, despite the scoreline. He was putting the ball on a plate for his team-mates with some wicked crosses but to no avail.
France
Players: Schneiderlin, Martial
Results: (w) 1-0 vs Portugal
(w) 2-1 vs Serbia
Deadline day signing Anthony Martial didn’t manage to score for Les Bleus, but he did make his France debut in their 1-0 win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. He came on for Benzema in the 74th minute for a very quiet cameo, but it’s good to see him making his debut. Schneiderlin played in the second half of the first game and all of the second, with Martial again entering the fray with 15 minutes to go, whilst France were already ahead.
Germany
Players: Schweinsteiger
Results: (w) 3-1 vs Poland
(w) 3-2 vs Scotland
Basti played the full 190 minutes as he captained Der Manschafft to 6 points in two brilliant games of football. He most notably had a stinging first-time drive from outside the box saved by Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall in the second game. With Carrick injured, expect the big German to start against Liverpool on Saturday evening.
Belgium
Players: Fellaini, Januzaj
Results: (w) 3-1 vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
(w) 1-0 vs Cyprus
Marouane Fellaini started both of Belgium’s games alongside Axel Witsel and Radja Nainggolan in midfield, equalising against Bosnia & Herzegovina in the 23rd minute to make the game 1-1 before his side went on to win. Januzaj, who is currently on loan at Dortmund, didn’t make it off the bench in either game, with players such as Dries Mertens preferred.
Northern Ireland
Players: McNair
Results: (w) 3-1 vs Faroe Islands
(d) 1-1 vs Hungary
Paddy McNair was an unused substitute in both games as his side edged closer to qualification for next year’s tournament.
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