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4 days ago
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It was Alexander Isak up against Martin Dubravka.
Saturday night’s match set to decide who would win their Nations League group, Sweden or Slovakia.
After only three minutes a superb through ball from Alexander Isak released Victor Gyokeres, the defenders couldn’t catch him and he shot across the Newcastle keeper into the far corner.
Hancko then shocked the home fans when producing the equaliser on 19 minutes.
However, three minutes after the break it was role reversal, with Gyokeres assisting Alexander Isak, as the Newcastle striker grabbed the winner past his United teammate Martin Dubravka.
That is now five games in a row for club and country, where Alexander Isak has scored.
Martin Dubravka was making his 50th appearance for Slovakia, whilst it will also be 50 caps for Alexander Isak if he gets on the pitch on Tuesday night when Sweden are home to Azerbaijan.
Both Newcastle United players completed the full game and both can be well pleased with their personal contributions.
Man of the match Alexander Isak a superb all round performance, topped off with that goal and assist.
Whilst as you can see, the Whoscored automated match ratings have Martin Dubvravka as Slovakia’s second highest rated of the starting eleven.
Saturday’s win guarantees Sweden will top their Nations League group.
If Sweden lost at home to bottom of the table Azerbaijan and Slovakia won at home to Estonia on Tuesday, Dubravka’s team could finish level on points. However, Sweden have the better head to head results against Slovakia in the group, so that means they are guaranteed top place regardless of these next two final group games.
This is the November 2024 international schedule for Newcastle United players:
Thursday 14 November
Greece 0 England 3
Anthony Gordon was one of eight changes, some due to the ‘injury’ desertions from the squad, some not. Harry Kane dropped and England looking all the better for it, as his replacement Ollie Watkins scored after only seven minutes in a flowing move.
United keeper Vlachodimos was probably Greece’s best player with some good saves and was very unlucky when Bellingham’s shot hit the post and rebounded off the keeper into the net. England though fully deserving of their eventual 3-0 winning margin, Jones scoring a sublime backheel flick for the third. Tino Livramento was an unused sub but Lewis Hall made his first England appearance, playing the second half and looking very good, the team looking far better balanced with him on the left. Everybody played well really, including Anthony Gordon, he played until 66 minutes in when Carsley made three attacking changes.
Belgium 0 Italy 1
Sandro Tonali man of the match and scoring the winning goal!
An excellent performance from the Newcastle midfielder as Italy deservedly won this Nations League group match. Sandro Tonali playing the full game.
Venezuela 1 Brazil 1
Bruno Guimaraes couldn’t quite drag Brazil over the line in this South American World Cup group qualifier.
Brazil dominated the first half with the Newcastle midfielder at the heart of much of their best play, however, the attacking players once again let them down. Chance after chance went begging until Raphinha scored an excellent free-kick in the 43rd minute.
One up at half-time but it should have been two or three, Brazil paying for it when Segovia equalised just a minute after the break. Bruno Guimaraes subbed in the 82nd minute and can be more than happy with his own personal contribution but this is a match that Brazil should have won.
Paraguay 2 Argentina 1
This was no fluke, as Miguel Almiron and Paraguay deservedly won their latest South American World Cup group qualifier.
When Martinez put Argentina ahead after only 11 minutes it looked like a long night in prospect for the home side.
However, Paraguay came back at them and a brilliant Sanabria overhead kick levelled things on 19 minutes, then a headed winner from a free-kick by Alderete won it, two minutes after the break. After that opening goal, Paraguay didn’t allow Argentina another shot on target in the entire match.
Miguel Almiron was his usual energetic self for Paraguay and put in a great shift, eventually subbed off in the 90th minute as Paraguay ran the clock down.
Saturday 16 November
Sweden 2 Slovakia 1
A man of the match performance from Alexander Isak, topped off by an assist for the opening goal (scored by Gyokeres) and then scoring the winner just after the break. Martin Dubravka can be happy with his own personal contribution and he was one of Slovakia’s best performers. The result guarantees that Sweden finish top of their Nations League group and Slovakia second, the final group games on Tuesday.
Sunday 17 November
England v Republic of Ireland (Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento) Nations League
Finland v Greece (Odysseas Vlachodimos) Nations League
Italy v France (Sandro Tonali) Nations League
Tuesday 19 November
Sweden v Azerbaijan (Alexander Isak) Nations League
Bolivia v Paraguay (Miguel Almiron) World Cup group qualifier
Brazil v Uruguay (Bruno Guimaraes) World Cup group qualifier
Slovakia v Estonia (Martin Dubravka) Nations League

 
