Several key Fantasy Premier League assets competing in the Copa America endured tough times in their latest matches.
Both Brazil and Argentina recorded less than encouraging results as the South American competition moved into the second phase of the Group Stages.
Copa America
Brazil 0-0 Venezuela
Five Premier League players were on the receiving end of boos and jeers as Brazil drew 0-0 with Venezuela at the Copa America.
After toiling in their 3-0 win over Bolivia, it was more of the same from a Selecao side still led in attack by Roberto Firmino in the absence of Neymar.
The Liverpool forward did actually put the ball in the back of the net in Brazil’s second match of the tournament but had it ruled out by referee Julio Bascunan.
Richarlison held his place in the starting line-up, this time on the right flank of attacking midfield in a 4-2-3-1 formation, while Alisson was in goal.
Fernandinho was dropped to the bench after starting the opener against Bolivia but came on for the second half in Casemiro’s place.
Gabriel Jesus emerged as a half-time substitute, coming on for Richarlison, but arguably cost his side the three points.
Former Liverpool man Philippe Coutinho had put the ball in the net but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) pulled it back because of a Jesus foul in the build-up.
Brazil now have four points on the board in Group A, and lead Peru only on goal difference.
In order to progress they need simply to avoid defeat against them later this week.
Colombia 1-0 Qatar
There was another 90 minutes for both Davinson Sánchez and Yerry Mina as Colombia won Group B and progressed to the Copa America quarter-finals.
After keeping out Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the opening round of matches, the Premier League centre-back pairing registered another shutout in this narrow win over Qatar.
Argentina 1-1 Paraguay
Sergio Aguero was left on the bench as Argentina continued to struggle at the Copa America.
Having already lost to Colombia, they were forced to salvage a point against Paraguay, with Messi scoring from the penalty spot.
Aguero did not come on until half-time but did add some much-needed threat.
The Manchester City forward replaced Watford’s Roberto Pereyra at half-time, who had been deployed on the right wing of a 4-4-2 formation.
Aguero’s colleague Nicolas Otamendi started the game at centre-back and nearly cost Argentina a point.
Five minutes after Messi had levelled things up, he fouled Derlis González in the penalty box and conceded a penalty.
Goalkeeper Franco Armani made the save from González to keep Argentina’s hopes alive.
However, it is clear that much improvement is needed for Messi’s side if they are to remain in Brazil much longer.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s Miguel Almirón started at number 10 for Paraguay and provided the assist for Richard Sánchez’s goal.
After West Ham’s Fabian Balbuena started the disappointing 2-2 draw with Qatar, he was left on the bench against Argentina.
CONCACAF Gold Cup
USA 4-0 Guyana
Christian Pulisic was the only Premier League asset involved for the USA as they recorded a routine win over Guyana at the Gold Cup.
He entertained the crowd with some skill in the early stages but neither he nor his colleagues created a great deal in the first half other than Paul Arriola’s 28th-minute opener.
A pair of quick-fire goals after half-time saw head coach Gregg Berhalter brought Pulisic off in the 63rd minute with the score at 3-0.
UEFA U21 Championship
England U21 1-2 France U21
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson was the hero for England Under-21s even as they lost in cruel circumstances to France on Tuesday night.
In their first game of the UEFA Under-21s Championship, Phil Foden, hoping to have a breakout season at Manchester City in 2019/20 put the Young Lions ahead with a scintillating individual goal.
“I think some of the football was outstanding, and Foden’s goal was a gem.” – Aidy Boothroyd, England U21 manager
As he continues to show promise for the new campaign, his colleague James Maddison also drew attention to himself providing the assist for Foden.
Two penalty saves from Henderson ensured England into a winning position heading into stoppage time, increasing FPL interest in him for the new season.
The Manchester United shot-stopper spent 2018/19 on loan at Sheffield United and after his heroics on Tuesday night, Fantasy managers will be hoping Chris Wilder can bring him back to Brammal Lane for the new campaign.
The Blades kept 21 clean sheets on their way to promotion from the Championship, 15 of them coming in the final 22 matches of the campaign.
If Henderson returns to the club, either on loan again or permanently, he could offer a decent £4.5m option, with the added promise of penalty saves in his locker too.
However, it all went wrong for England Under-21s as the game crept into stoppage time.
The popular Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a poor game throughout and was unfortunate enough to miscue a clearance from a 95th-minute corner into his own net after Jonathan Ikone had equalised.
His performance will almost certainly have dampened pre-season FPL interest in the Crystal Palace right-back.
A lot will depend on his price, and there is virtually no chance of him coming in as a £4.0m defender this time around.
His reported transfer to Manchester United could also impact how the FPL game-makers price him too.
If he does make that move before the game launches, with just three attacking returns in 2018/19, joining a team with a worse defensive record will probably remove him from our consideration.
Meanwhile, Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury was sent off in the 63rd minute.
Other Fantasy assets involved for England were Demarai Gray, Dominic Solanke, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Tammy Abraham.
England U21 XI (4-3-3): D Henderson; Dasilva, Clarke-Salter, Tomori, Wan-Bissaka; Foden, Choudhury, Maddison; D Gray (Abraham 75′), Solanke (Mount 71′), R Sessegnon (Calvert-Lewin 75′).
International Friendlies
Zambia 1-4 Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast rounded up their preparation for the African Cup of Nations with a morale-boosting win over Zambia.
Serge Aurier and Jonathan Kodjia both featured from the beginning, with the former recording an assist and the latter getting himself on the scoresheet.
Both players came off around the 70-minute mark while Wilfried Zaha only featured as a 53rd-minute substitute.
5 years, 3 months ago
What a joke this is!
Official Afcon fantasy game still not out yet
I know there are other places to play the game but any othere platform than the official one never feels worth the effort