Internationals - Hugo in another final, Sonny strikes late
Fri 08 October 2021, 11:15|
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris is chasing another major title with France after Les Bleus staged a stunning fightback against Belgium to reach the UEFA Nations League Final.
Earning his 133rd cap, skipper Hugo, who lost out in the Euro 2016 final before lifting the World Cup in 2018, saw his team go 2-0 down in the first half of the semi-final in Turin on Thursday night. It could have been even worse but for Hugo's magnificent early save to deny Kevin De Bruyne. However, goals from Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe's penalty and Theo Hernandez's late strike saw France home 3-2.
Hugo could now face team-mates Sergio Reguilon and Bryan Gil as France take on Spain in the final in Milan's San Siro on Sunday.
Bryan came off the bench to earn his fourth cap as Spain toppled hosts Italy in Milan on Wednesday evening. He was his typical lively self in a 15-minute cameo where he saw a shot blocked and Gianluigi Donnarumma save a one-on-one as Spain went through 2-1. Sergio was an unused substitute.
World Cup qualifiers
It's been a busy couple of days of World Cup qualifying for our players.
Heung-Min Son kicked it all of in style when he drilled home a late winner for South Korea against Syria in Ansan on Thursday afternoon UK time. Syria had equalised late to make it 1-1 but Sonny was there when it mattered in the last minute, firing home the second ball from a free-kick for 2-1. Iran and South Korea have already pulled clear in Asian qualifying Group A, seven and five points respectively ahead of UAE with the top two progressing to the finals in Qatar. That was captain Sonny's 28th goal in 95 caps.
In South America's CONMEBOL qualifying, Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero both started as Argentina were held to a goalless draw in Paraguay in the early hours of Friday morning. Cristian completed the full 90 minutes, earning his sixth cap, and Gio (31 caps) played 76. Emerson Royal came off the bench on 77 minutes, his fifth cap, as Brazil stretched their run to nine out of nine in this qualifying process with a 3-1 win against Venezuela. Meanwhile, Davinson Sanchez was an unused substitute in Colombia's goalless draw against Uruguay.
That latest round of matches sees Brazil top CONMEBOL qualifying on 27 points and seemingly well on their way to Qatar. They are eight points clear of Argentina, unbeaten in 23, in second. Importantly, with the top four going straight to Qatar, they are 13 and five points clear of Colombia, currently fifth.
Other action
Oliver Skipp played the full 90 as England were rocked by a Slovenian comeback in UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying in Celje on Thursday night. Skippy was involved in the Young Lions' first goal, scored by Conor Gallagher, and England stretched their lead to 2-0 via Cole Palmer for 2-0 inside 15 minutes. However, the home side responded with two goals in the second half for the final 2-2 scoreline.
Goalkeeper Isak Solberg kept a clean sheet as Norway beat Kosovo 3-0 in UEFA Under-19 Championship qualifying on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Dane Scarlett started and Alfie Devine came off the bench on 71 minutes as England Under-19s lost 3-1 to Thimothee Lo-Tutala's France in a tournament in Marbella. Nile John didn't feature for England.
Friday's internationals
Joe Rodon - Wales away 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic - kick-off 7.45pm
Maksim Paskotsi - Estonia home 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Belarus - kick-off 7.45pm
