Internationals | Sarr's sublime assist helps Senegal beat Mauritania

Pape Matar Sarr registered an assist for the crucial winning goal in Senegal's 1-0 away victory over Mauritania in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Sunday.

Receiving the ball out wide on the left touchline about 35 yards out, the midfielder cut inside his defender before whipping a superb right-footed cross into the danger area where Habib Diallo was there to nod in from six yards out in what would be the game's only goal on 27 minutes. Pape completed the full match to earn his 18th cap as the win maintained the Lions of Teranga's unbeaten start to the CAF qualifiers in Group B.

Brennan Johnson was also in action as he started for Wales to earn his 30th cap before being replaced on the hour-mark as the Dragons endured a difficult Sunday evening with a 4-0 away friendly defeat to Euro 2024-bound Slovakia at the Anton Malatinský Stadium in Trnava. Slovakia are in Group E alongside Radu Dragusin's Romania.

Meanwhile, Guglielmo Vicario was an unused substitute as European Championship holders Italy rounded off preparations for their title defence with a 1-0 home friendly win over Bosnia & Herzegovina at Vicario's former club Empoli's Carlo Castellani Stadium. Having being named in Luciano Spalletti's 26-player squad for the finals, 'Vic' now heads to Germany for his first taste of a major international tournament with the Azzurri.

Next up...

Monday

Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso – Argentina friendly against Ecuador in the USA – kick-off 12am
Micky van de Ven – Netherlands home friendly against Iceland – kick-off 7.45pm

Tuesday

Heung-Min Son – South Korea home 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against China – kick-off 12pm
Dane Scarlett – England Under-20s friendly against Republic of Ireland in Croatia – kick-off 3pm
Troy Parrott – Republic of Ireland away friendly against Portugal – kick-off 7.45pm