I hate international football.
Especially when it’s three matches into the season. Just… come on guys. As per usual, though, Tottenham Hotspur have representatives involved, so we can all cross our fingers and pray to whatever football gods may be out there that they all return unscathed. Plus, it’s still football, right?
Destiny Udogie had the misfortune to miss Italy’s Euros campaign as he recovered from the quadricep injury suffered late last season, but he was recalled this break and seized his chance almost immediately, subbing on at the left wing position and assisting Italy’s third goal in a stunning win over France. It was somewhat of an auspicious match for Spurs fans, with Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori starting the fixture for the Azzurri but coming off with a calf injury ahead of the North London Derby following the break. Guglielmo Vicario was also called up for Italy, but as usual, only saw time on the pine with Luciano Spalletti preferring Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
Another pair of Spurs teammates were called up for Sweden, with Dejan Kulusevski starting and captaining the Swedes as they took on Azerbaijan. The Blågult (that’s the Swedish side in case it wasn’t immediately obvious – which it’s not) won convincingly 3-1, and it was a significant moment for Lucas Bergvall, making his international debut. He subbed on in the 72nd minute, in what would have been a special juncture for the young midfielder.
Meanwhile, Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson both started for Wales, with Davies playing in the center back position. He was successful in keeping a clean sheet, but Johnson and his fellow Welsh attackers were unable to secure three points against a ten-man Turkish side. Also keeping a clean sheet was Spurs vice-captain Cristian Romero, with the Copa America (and World Cup) winner playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-0 win over Chile in their World Cup qualification campaign. It was the same result as well for Cuti’s fellow Spurs center back, with Radu Dragusin marshalling the defense for Romania against Kosovo.
AFCON qualifiers were also in full flight, and Yves Bissouma, who has had a fraught relationship with his national team of late, was somewhat surprisingly called up. He made the most of it as well, scoring the Eagles’ (no, not the band) solitary goal in a draw against Mozambique. It was the same scoreline for Pape Matar Sarr, starting for Senegal and playing out 68 minutes of a 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso.
Lastly, Tottenham and South Korea national team captain Son Heung-min did what he usually did and played 90 minutes in a friendly, where they would have been perhaps disappointed to only draw the match against Palestine.
It’s a clean bill of health so far – I am touching whatever pieces of timber are in reach as I write this – but we’re only halfway through the international break, before we take on aforementioned rivals Arsenal next weekend. What fun!
I hate international football.
Spurs International Appearances:
- Destiny Udogie (28 mins, sub, 1 assist) & Guglielmo Vicario (unused sub): France 1-3 Italy – UEFA Nations League
- Dejan Kulusevski (90 mins) & Lucas Bergvall (18 mins, sub): Azerbaijan 1-3 Sweden – UEFA Nations League
- Ben Davies (90 mins) & Brennan Johnson (90 mins): Wales 0-0 Turkey – UEFA Nations League
- Radu Dragusin (90 mins): Kosovo 0-3 Romania – UEFA Nations League
- Cristian Romero (90 mins): Argentina 3-0 Chile – WCQ CONMEBOL
- Yves Bissouma (89 mins, 1 goal): Mali 1-1 Mozambique – WCQ CAF
- Pape Matar Sarr (68 mins): Senegal 1-1 Burkina Faso – WCQ CAF
- Son Heung-min (90 mins): South Korea 0-0 Palestine – Friendly
