There was plenty of Premier League involvement, but precious little influence, on a busy night of international football across continents and time zones, with the undisputed headline created by Alexis Sanchez’ outing for Chile.
World Cup Qualifying – CONMEBOL
Argentina 1 Chile 0
Alexis Sanchez dispelled any doubts on his fitness by turning out for Chile and completing the full 90 minutes, though his influence could not prevent a 1-0 defeat at the hands of hosts Argentina.
The Gunners asset and top scoring Fantasy Premier League player struck the bar and was outwardly frustrated at the defeat that leaves Chile’s World Cup qualification in the balance.
Following the ankle injury which saw him withdrawn on 78 minutes of the 3-1 defeat at West Brom on Saturday, Sanchez had suffered FPL sales of over 31,000 before last night’s encounter.
He will now doubtless figure in a second qualifier in the early hours of Tuesday with Chile hosting Venezuela; that will likely see Arsenal “assess” Sanchez on his return.
However, should he come through Tuesday’s outing unscathed, there would be few doubts that he will be in contention for Arsenal given that their Premier League fixture with Manchester City takes place on Sunday.
His FPL sales are now likely to stall, then, with Sanchez set to become a key transfer target ahead of Arsenal’s yet to be confirmed two double Gameweek dates.
Elsewhere in Thursday’s clash, Sergio Aguero started and played 58 minutes, while his Manchester City team-mate Nicolas Otamendi managed the full 90 and missed a great chance to double Argentina’s advantage before the interval.
Manchester United’s Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo started and finished the match for the hosts, while City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo also played the full match for Chile.
Meanwhile, Arsenal keeper David Ospina kept a clean sheet as Colombia beat Bolivia 1-0, while West Brom striker Salomon Rondon played the full 90 minutes in Venezuela’s 2-2 draw with Peru.
The forward didn’t score, perhaps not surprisingly for a man without a league goal since a Gameweek 16 hat-trick against Swansea.
Ecuador lost 2-1 win in Paraguay, with two Valencias – Man United’s Antonio and Everton’s Enner – both involved throughout.
Swansea’s ‘forgotten man’, midfielder Jefferson Montero, hasn’t featured for the Swans since Gameweek 18, but managed a three-minute run-out for Ecuador as they chased a late equaliser.
As mentioned, the second round of South American qualifiers will take place on Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning.
Uruguay 1 Brazil 4
Brazil came from a goal down in Uruguay to consolidate their place at the top of the South American table.
The hosts went ahead early and then spent the rest of the match regretting it, with former Spurs midfielder Paulinho hitting a hat-trick.
Liverpool duo Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho both started and a shot from the former led to one of Paulinho’s goals.
The pair were subbed off late on, with Chelsea winger Willian replacing Coutinho. Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho was also given a run-out towards the end of the match.
Brazil now host Paraguay in the early hours of Wednesday morning and with the Merseyside derby against Everton taking place on Saturday lunchtime, it’s reported that Liverpool will arrange a chartered flight to ensure the duo return as early as possible.
Middlesbrough’s Christhian Stuani and Hull City’s Abel Hernandez were on the bench for Uruguay, and both were brought on in the second half.
With five matches left to play, Brazil top the qualifying table by seven points, suggesting that their place at the finals in Russia next year is all but done and dusted.
That could lead to key players being rested from future squads, although that will be an issue for Fantasy Premier League managers to ponder next season.
World Cup Qualifying – AFC
China 1 South Korea 0
China won a fractious encounter with rivals South Korea 1-0, with Swansea midfielder Sung-yeung Ki at the heart of the visitors’ ultimately futile second-half push for an equaliser.
Tottenham’s 5.5%-owned asset Heung-Min Son took no part in the match as he was suspended.
The midfielder is expected to return for South Korea’s second qualifier of the break, a Tuesday might home match with Syria.
Southampton centre-half Maya Yoshida played the full 90 minutes in Japan’s 2-0 win in the United Arab Emirates.
Both Japan and South Korea remain well-placed to qualify automatically for Russia 2018 and will play again on Tuesday at 11.35am and midday respectively.
International Friendly
Nigeria 1 Senegal 1
Barnet’s Hive stadium was the less than glamorous setting for a friendly featuring a number of Premier League players.
Leicester pair Wilfred Ndidi and Ahmed Musa started for Nigeria, as did Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi and Man City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, with the latter equalising through a late penalty.
Iwobi played 61 minutes and Watford’s Isaac Success came on just after the hour-mark. Chelsea’s Victor Moses trained with the Nigerian squad but played no part in the match as he continues to recover from a calf injury.
Senegal’s star man, the 23.7%-owned Liverpool midfielder Sadio Mane, started the match on the bench but was given a 25-minute run-out after the interval.
West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate, Everton holding midfielder Idrissa Gueye and Stoke striker Mame Biram Diouf all played the full 90 minutes, while Hull midfielder Alfred N’Diaye was an unused sub.
Both sides will be involved in further friendlies on Monday night. Fortunately for Jurgen Klopp, Mane’s clash with Ivory Coast will take place in Paris, thus limiting his travel time ahead of that Everton encounter.
