From Groeneveld to Ireland: The major winners and losers from the final day of the international break

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It was a night of fiercely competitive action with some very interesting talking points as the international break reached its conclusion. 

Brazil snatched a late-winner against Argentina in the Superclasico, while Wales condemned Republic of Ireland to an almost certain relegation in the Nations League.

Elsewhere Belgium and the Netherlands played out a 1-1 draw, while there were a number of other significant results in Nations League groups across the continent.

So, with the international break drawing to a close, who were the winners and losers from tonight’s fixtures?

Winner: Harry Wilson

Tonight Harry Wilson became the first player, other than Gareth Bale, to score a direct free-kick for Wales since 2009 – nearly a decade ago – when Aaron Ramsey rifled home a thunderbolt effort right out of the top drawer against Liechtenstein.

The talented winger made headlines earlier in the season after he netted a delectable free-kick for Derby County against Manchester United, and he produced a similar effort tonight, leaving Darren Randolph rooted to the spot as the ball struck the back of the net.

With the match heading towards a very tense and nervy finish, the 21-year-old broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, giving Ryan Giggs’ men a much-needed goal; and it was a left-footed strike that Giggs would have been proud of during his playing days.

Wilson was sensational on the night, and he is finally started to find his feet and fulfil the early potential that saw him make his Wales debut at just 16-years-old in 2013.

Loser: Stole Dimitrievski 

It is bad enough conceding four goals to Armenia under any circumstances, but on-loan Rayo Vallecano ‘keeper Dimitrievski will be having sleepless nights after he produced a forgettable double howler against Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Co.

The 24-year-old was channelling his inner Loris Karius tonight when he fumbled a long-range effort from Marcos Pizzelli, reminiscent of the German’s attempt to catch Gareth Bale’s driven shot in the Champions League final, and that occurred with just 11 minutes on the clock.

Unfortunately for Macedonia, it would not get much better from there as Yura Movsisyan doubled the host’s advantage in the second-half before Dimitrievski produced another ridiculous blunder.

Gevorg Ghazaryan’s tame free-kick looked an exceptionally routine save, but Dimitrievski spilled the shot under his arms in rather comical fashion; and, to rub salt in the wounds for Macedonia, Elif Elmas was sent off and Mkhitaryan scored in the dying embers to complete the rout.

Winner: Nicolas Otamendi

The Argentine was in inspired form against Brazil for the South American Clasico at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Saudi Arabia. The Man City centre-back not only formed a formidable bulwark against Tite’s men for the majority of the match, but he also produced two sensational pieces of defensive mastery.

In a tense first-half, the Albiceleste were heavily weathering a Selecao storm when Miranda found space in Argentina’s penalty area with 28 minutes on the clock; the veteran defender rifled a right-footed effort past Sergio Romero but Otamendi positioned himself behind his ‘keeper to prevent what should have been a certain goal.

And he would demonstrate his brilliant defensive attributes moments later when he acrobatically cleared a lofted Neymar through ball which looked destined to produced a one-on-one situation with Romero.

This was a defensive masterclass from Otamendi – despite Miranda’s last-minute winner – who took more touches than any of his team-mates (71), made more passes (54) and had a 100% tackle success rate.

Loser: Republic of Ireland 

The Republic of Ireland have now won just one of their last eight home matches against British sides, losing three and drawing four, with their last victory coming against Wales back in March 2007 during a Euro 2008 qualification match.

That game witnessed Stephen Ireland net the only goal the game, and included a few notable names on the team sheets of both sides, with Ryan Giggs, Robbie Keane, Craig Bellamy and Damien Duff all on display.

Tonight’s match would not prove as resounding or emphatic for Ireland as the one over a decade ago, and the Aviva Stadium is certainly not proving to be a happy stomping ground for Martin O’Neill and his side, who failed miserably this evening.

The defeat ends Ireland’s hopes of promotion from Group B4 and all but condemns the Boys in Green to relegation, with just one match remaining against Denmark.

Winner: Arnaut Groeneveld 

This was the 21-year-old’s first start for the Dutch national side and he repaid the faith shown in him from Ronald Koeman by opening his Oranje account and bringing his side back level in the 27th minute after Belgium took the lead at the Heysel Stadium.

Groeneveld made his debut during the 3-0 humbling of Germany just a few days prior to this fixture, and he enjoyed another encouraging performance tonight after slotting home a cool finish past a hapless Simon Mignolet.

The Club Brugge winger faces stern competitions at international level with Memphis Depay currently in the form of his life, and Steven Bergwijn emerging as an extremely potent and incisive forward.

However, if the Lagos-born midfielder can continue to produce performances like the one tonight, then he will go a long way to cementing a starting berth under the stewardship of Koeman.

Loser: Manchester City

It is a club manager’s worst fear: the international break. Long, tiring journeys across the globe could have a significant impact on a player’s physical and mental state, and the potential for injuries are rife.

This evening Pep Guardiola became the latest club manager to be hit with the news of international injury as Danilo was forced off in the second-half for Brazil against Argentina, being replaced by Fabinho, which would not have delighted Jurgen Klopp, who is currently dealing with his own injury issues.

Granted Danilo may not be Guardiola’s first choice at right-back, but the former Real Madrid defender will be crucial to the Catalan coach when the Citizens’ fixture list starts to intensify towards winter and the Christmas period.

However, the Superclasico may just have damaged the balance in Guardiola’s squad as Danilo was the only fully-fit back-up full-back the club had at its disposal.

The post From Groeneveld to Ireland: The major winners and losers from the final day of the international break appeared first on Squawka News.



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