International football round up: Lukaku scores brace, Bailly scores first and Rashford scores none!

Manchester United’s stars were in action once again for their countries over the weekend. Here I review their performances and look ahead to another few days of top-notch international football. First up, Belgium.

Romelu Lukaku stole the headlines from a Manchester United perspective as Belgium defeated Switzerland 2-1 to go top of Group A2 in the UEFA Nations League. The United number nine opened the scoring in the 58th minute pulling wide to the right-hand side of the 18-yard box finishing low and hard past Yann Sommer with his left-foot.

The Swiss equalised with 14 minutes to go, hoping they’d done enough to snatch a point. However, Lukaku replied eight minutes later with his 45th international goal to make it 2-1. His 22nd goal in the last 19 games.

Marouane Fellaini did not feature for the Red Devils, but both United stars could face some former club teammates when Belgium take on Holland on Tuesday.

Fred and Romero face-off in friendly

Manchester United’s Fred was part of a Brazilian team who defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 in Asia on Friday. The former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder started the match but was taken off at half-time in place of Tottenham’s Lucas Moura.

Now he meets United teammate Sergio Romero in Brazil’s next friendly of this international break against Argentina on Tuesday night. Romero will be hoping to make it back to back clean sheets after not conceding against Iraq in a 4-0 win last Thursday.

Bailly nets first international goal

Eric Bailly has scored his first international goal for Ivory Coast as they cruised to 4-0 thumping over the Central African Republic on Friday night. The win takes Ivory Coast second in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers Group H. Tomorrow afternoon, Bailly and co take on the same opposition on matchday four.

Rashford looking to payback faith in Southgate

Manchester United starlet Marcus Rashford is hoping to repay the faith shown in him by England manager Gareth Southgate by netting against Spain tonight in the UEFA Nations League.

On Friday night England missed the chance to take a big step towards avoiding relegation from Group A4 after drawing a blank against Croatia. The Three Lions were the more dominant and in the second squandered a number of good chances to take the lead. Rashford culpable on two occasions.

Predicted XI: Jordan Pickford, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, Harry Maguire, Ben Chilwell, Harry Winks, Eric Dier, Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, (433).

Rashford will have to score against the best goalkeeper on the planet if he is to repay Gareth Southgate, David De Gea will be lining up for Spain in between the sticks.

No visa means Chile struggle without star man Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez could not travel to the USA for his countries match against Chile on Friday night (8:30 PM, GMT-4) as the forward does not have a visa allowing him to travel to the States. His country definitely missed him too being hammered 3-0 by Peru.

However, the Football Federation of Chile confirmed he will be available for the trip to Mexico on Tuesday.

Other fixtures

Victor Lindelof and Paul Pogba return to action for their countries tomorrow night. Sweden host Slovakia in a friendly but top of UEFA Nations League Group A1 take on bottom, Germany.