International Weekend Roundup: Spain impress, Georgia cruise and more

While France’s shock 3-1 loss to Italy, despite a fine goal from PSG’s Bradley Barcola, may have taken the headlines, France was not the only national team with Ligue 1 McDonald’s players in action this weekend, and from UEFA Nations League to World Cup Qualifying in Africa and South America, several of them took the opportunity for a star turn.

UEFA

On Friday, Stade Rennais midfielder Jordan James and Wales played out a scoreless draw at home to Turkey, while Thomas Meunier stayed on the bench for Belgium in their 3-1 win over Israel. Saturday’s action saw 2024 European Championships star and Olympique Lyonnais forward George Mikautadze score for Georgia in an impressive 4-1 over the Czech Republic, writing a further chapter in their unlikely story of late. For England, LOSC Lille midfielder Ángel Gomes came off the bench to play 15 minutes, making his senior debut in a 2-0 win over Ireland.

On Sunday, Spain took the headlines as PSG midfielder Fabián Ruiz scored a brace to lead his team past Switzerland 4-1 despite playing with ten men for more than an hour. Denmark and Marseille midfielder Pierre-Emile Højberg played all 90 minutes as his side notched a gritty 2-0 win over Serbia, while Milan Skriniar of PSG powered Slovakia to a second straight Nations League win, 2-0 over Azerbaijan. Lyon’s Duje Caleta-Car also helped his country to a clean sheet as Croatia beat Poland 1-0 at home, while PSG’s Nuno Mendes played the entire match as Portugal came from behind to win 2-1 at home against Scotland. Finally, for Sweden, Gabriel Gudmundsson played 90 minutes in a back three to help Sweden to a 3-0 win over Estonia, while Sebastian Nanasi of Strasbourg came off the bench.

Tävlingsdebut för Sebastian Nanasi ✨ pic.twitter.com/97h6HnRFNM

— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) September 9, 2024

CONMEBOL/CONCACAF

On Friday, Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil captain Marquinhos led O Selecão to a 1-0 clean sheet win in a vital World Cup Qualifying match, beating Ecuador to move into fifth place in the CONMEBOL table. In CONCACAF action, a Haïti team featuring several Ligue 1 players including SCO Angers’ Carlens Arcus and FC Nantes’ Jean-Kévin Duvérne, making his debut, won 4-1 over Puerto Rico.

Saturday saw Canada record a historic 2-1 away win over the US, with LOSC Lille striker Jonathan David sealing the result. The Canadians also featured an all-Ligue 1 defensive duo, with summer signings Moïse Bombito (OGC Nice) and Derek Cornelius (Olympique de Marseille).

CAF/AFC

Gabon and Toulouse forward Shavy Babicka played 90 minutes in a 4-1 loss to Morocco, as, despite a goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the visitors were unable to trouble the Atlas Lions. Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra started and played 90 minutes for Senegal, but the hosts were cruelly pegged back by a late equalizer from Burkina Faso.