Mixed night for Sanchez, Valencia scores and four others play in latest International round up

After a mixed opening night for Manchester United’s international reds on Thursday, six more stepped onto the turf for their nation in the early hours of Friday morning and Saturday (GMT). We look back on their performances as well as previewing the rest of this weekend’s fixtures.

At 1:30 AM (GMT) on Friday morning Antonio Valencia took the field for his nation Ecuador against Peru in an international friendly. The Manchester United skipper managed to get on the scoresheet as did Enner Valencia to defeat their opponents 2-0. Valencia netted his 11th goal for his country in the win, his first since October 2016.

Almost 24 hours later United teammate Sergio Romero was in the Argentinian squad to face Mexico in the very early hours of Saturday morning. Argentina came through 2-0 winners however the clean sheet was not awarded to United stopper Romero, as he was an unused substitute in the victory.

Alexis Sanchez took his inconsistent club form into his national teams match on Saturday morning. Chile were up against Costa Rica in a friendly, who did lead the La Roja 3-0. Sanchez had a chance to reduce the scoreline to one in the 82nd minute but his spot kick was saved. He tried to make amends eight minutes later though pulling another back to make it 3-2 but it was all too little too late.

Newly crowned Swedish Footballer of the Year Victor Lindelof started for Sweden against Turkey, hoping to secure their spot in League B, Group Two of the Nations League. Lindelof was subbed off at halftime for allegedly not feeling very well. Sweden went on to win the match 1-0 and sit second in the group safe from relegation.

Nemanja Matic was one of a few Manchester United players to last a whole 90 minutes on Saturday. The Serbian took to the grass against Montenegro in the Nations League looking to remain top of League C, Group 4. Luckily for Matic, who has been out of form of late, Serbia won 2-1 and could secure their promotion with a win against winless Lithuania on Tuesday.

Coming up for the rest of this weekend, it’s the final round of the UEFA Nations League as Belgium travel to Switzerland and England host Croatia. Eric Bailly is in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying action as Ivory Coast play Guinea. And finally, Spain host Bosnia and Herzegovina.