I hate international football.
Especially when the powers-that-be make up a competition to “increase the value” of international matches, which instead effectively waters down the value of all international football. Oh well. At least I can find joy in USA drawing with New Zealand due to a hilariously freakish late goal. Suck it America!
Anyways, here’s how our representatives from the senior squad got on in their international commitments:
Guglielmo Vicario was once more consigned to bench duty with Italy, but Destiny Udogie managed some more minutes in the blue shirt, as he came off the bench with 19 minutes to go in a win over Manor Solomon’s Israel. Elsewhere in Europe, Ben Davies played his customary 90 minutes in Wales’ win over Montenegro, with Brennan Johnson coming off the bench just before half-time. A blistering start by the Welsh, with two goals in less than five minutes, ensured Johnson didn’t have to break too much of a sweat.
It was the Swedish who excelled once more, though, as they dispatched Estonia with ease 3-0. Lucas Bergvall continued to grow his burgeoning international career with late minutes from the bench, while Dejan Kulusevski put in a strong performance as Sweden climbed to the top of their Nations League group. Spurs’ final representative in European action was Radu Dragusin, unable to keep a clean sheet this time out for Romania, but a victor nonetheless as the Tricolors took down Lithuania.
Things weren’t as positive for Cristian Romero, who picked up a customary yellow card as Argentina were defeated by Colombia – but things got a bit more positive on the other side of the Atlantic. Yves Bissouma had another standout performance for Mali, scoring the solitary goal in a win over AFCON rivals Eswatini. There’ll be concern after he limped off in the 65th minute after being trod on, but early reports have said there is no significant problem. Somebody who won’t be dealing with an injury though is Pape Matar Sarr, as he only came on in the final minute as Senegal defeated Burundi 1-0.
We’ll save the best for last, though, as Son Heung-min put in a true captain’s performance for South Korea. After a disappointing draw against Palestine (in a match which I somehow erroneously labeled as a friendly in the previous piece) the Taeguk Warriors took the fight to Oman, as Sonny led the way with a hand in all three Korean goals. He finished with a goal and two assists in a man of the match display.
Hopefully that’s a sign of things to come with the North London Derby this weekend. COYS!
I hate international football.
Spurs International Appearances:
- Destiny Udogie (28 mins, sub, 1 assist; 19 mins, sub) & Guglielmo Vicario (unused sub x 2): France 1-3 Italy; Israel 1-2 Italy – UEFA Nations League
- Dejan Kulusevski (90 mins x 2) & Lucas Bergvall (18 mins, sub; 6 mins, sub): Azerbaijan 1-3 Sweden; Sweden 3-0 Estonia – UEFA Nations League
- Ben Davies (90 mins x 2) & Brennan Johnson (90 mins; 47 mins, sub): Wales 0-0 Turkey; Montenegro 1-2 Wales – UEFA Nations League
- Radu Dragusin (90 mins x 2): Kosovo 0-3 Romania; Romania 3-1 Lithuania – UEFA Nations League
- Cristian Romero (90 mins x 2): Argentina 3-0 Chile; Colombia 2-1 Argentina – WCQ CONMEBOL
- Yves Bissouma (89 mins, 1 goal; 65 mins, 1 goal): Mali 1-1 Mozambique; Eswatini 0-1 Mali – AFCONQ
- Pape Matar Sarr (68 mins; 1 min, sub): Senegal 1-1 Burkina Faso; Burundi 0-1 Senegal – WCQ AFCONQ
- Son Heung-min (90 mins; 90 mins, 1 goal, 2 assists): South Korea 0-0 Palestine; Oman 1-3 South Korea – WCQ AFC
