Brazil – Richarlison
Richarlison replaced Douglas Costa on the right wing after 67 minutes against Uruguay, playing out wide for the first time in a while. He made the most of his cameo, playing a part in a move which led to a penalty for Neymar to score the only goal of the game.
Our star man made plenty of positive moves and linked up well with his new mate Neymar, despite missing a great chance from close range following a cross from the PSG winger. He arguably did more in 20 minutes than Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino did in 90.
He started on the bench again for the game against Cameroon, but was called upon to replace Neymar after just eight minutes, and went on to score the winner for Brazil, the only goal of the game. The young man is absolutely flying, and he’s all ours.
England – Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane
Both Everton players started the Wayne Rooney Foundation match against USA, with Pickford replaced at half-time to give Alex McCarthy a chance in goal. England’s number 1 had done his homework, this time, as it was spotted that he had each of the USA’s penalty takers’ likely directions written on his water bottle.
Michael Keane came in for some criticism for his performance in the 3-0 win, with many saying he appeared lethargic on the ball. However, he lasted the full 90 minutes alongside Lewis Dunk, and was arguably the more solid of the two centre-halves.
Keane dropped to the bench for the 2-1 win against Croatia, with Pickford playing the whole game this time. His distribution was key for England and he made some good saves, but some in the national media accused him of nervy moments. They should have learned to trust him by now! The ‘keeper was afterwards seen at a Courteeners concert singing along with fans to the Gareth Southgate chant. One of us.
France – Lucas Digne
It was great to see Digne start and play the full 90 minutes for France against Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands after some fine recent form for Everton. It was a difficult game, however, and the full-back was booked in a 2-0 defeat.
Lyon left-back Ferland Mendy was given a go over Digne for France’s 1-0 win over Uruguay, a game in which Everton nearly-man Olivier Giroud scored the winner from the penalty spot.
Portugal – Andre Gomes
After joining up with the Portugal side, Andre Gomes was sent home on fitness inspection after suffering some bruising during the Chelsea game. Hopefully, he will have recovered in time for the Cardiff game.
Republic of Ireland – Seamus Coleman
Seamus Coleman captained his country from right-wing back in the 0-0 draw with Northern Ireland, and was disappointed in his team’s performance, criticising himself and the other players folllowing the game for not showing for the ball enough.
It wasn’t much better against Denmark, however, in another 0-0. Seamus played the full game and came through it unscathed, though.
Senegal – Idrissa Gueye
Gana played the full 90 minutes in his side’s 1-0 win against Equatorial Guinea, and did as much running as we’ve come to expect from his central midfield role.
Turkey – Cenk Tosun
Cenk played the full match as a lone striker for Turkey’s 1-0 defeat to Sweden, and couldn’t affect the result.
Eres Unal was given a chance up top in the 0-0 draw with Ukraine, but was taken off at half-time as Tosun played the second period.
He was asked after the game about a potential move back to Besiktas which has been touted in the media recently, but responded: “Besiktas is my home. But I’ve opened a new page in my career and I’m happy at Everton. Also, the news that Besiktas is interested is gossip.”
England Under-21 – Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tom Davies, Kieron Dowell, Ademola Lookman
In the Under-21 internationals, performances of note included Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s brace in the 5-1 win over Denmark after coming off the bench an hour into the game. Kieron Dowell started the match and played the full 90 minutes, with Tom Davies coming on to replace Lewis Cook for the final 20 minutes.
In their previous game of the international break, a 2-1 win against Italy, all of the Everton youngsters, bar the injured Ademola Lookman, came off the bench for the final half an hour or so, by which time all the goals had already been scored.
Lookman was sent home after suffering an injury with the Young Lions and did not feature in either of their fixtures, but will hopefully be fit enough to be included in the Everton squad to face Cardiff this weekend.
About The Author
