In Friday’s international football roundup, a mix of concern and triumph marked the day for several notable players.
Health issues led to Malo Gusto’s withdrawal from the France U23 squad and sidelined Cole Palmer for England’s forthcoming friendly against Brazil, casting a shadow over the day’s events.
Despite these setbacks, it proved to be a goal-laden day for the International Blues, with Enzo Fernández, Noni Madueke, and Cesare Casadei each making significant contributions to their national teams.
Fernández continued his impressive run for Argentina, netting his fourth goal in twenty appearances during a 3-0 victory over El Salvador in a friendly match held in Philadelphia.
The young midfielder capitalized on a blocked shot from teammate Giovani Lo Celso, doubling Argentina’s lead just before the break in a match where victory seemed a foregone conclusion.
In Euro U21 qualifying action, Madueke’s goal for England U21 against Azerbaijan was a product of both skill and serendipity.
A cross from Jade Philogene, a product of Aston Villa’s academy now with Hull City, was redirected into the net by Madueke and an Azerbaijani defender in a simultaneous effort. This goal contributed to a resounding 5-1 victory for the young Lions.
Casadei showcased his talent with a stunning side volley for Italy U21, breaking the deadlock against Latvia in another Euro U21 qualifier.
This marked a welcome return to form for Casadei, who has seen limited action since his recall from Leicester City in January.
His goal set the stage for a 2-0 Italian victory, highlighting his potential impact on the field.
Additionally, Nicolas Jackson earned a starting position for Senegal in their 3-0 friendly win over Gabon, although he did not find the back of the net. Meanwhile, Moisés Caicedo and Marc Cucurella were notably absent from the lineup for Ecuador and Spain, respectively, in this international break.
