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Bruno Guimaraes and Brazil back to winning ways.
A 1-0 home win against Ecuador may not at first glance look the biggest of wins.
However, for Bruno Guimaraes and his international teammates, as well as the management, this was huge.
Having lost their last three World Cup group qualifiers, as victory was badly needed.
Up against an Ecuador side who were undefeated in their last five World Cup qualifiers and had only lost once, 1-0 away to group leaders Argentina in their opening group game. Ecuador would have been in an even better position in the South American qualifying group for 2026, if not for having been deduced three points for a past transgression of using false birth documents for a player.
Bruno Guimaraes started the game in his usual far deeper defensive role for Brazil, than he plays for Newcastle United.
The match settled into a very dour defensive contest, with those in front of the NUFC midfielder struggling to make many chances against tough disciplined opposition.
In the entire match there ended up having been only five efforts on target from the two teams.
Brazil with two in the first half and only one in the second, their victory coming via an effort from Real Madrid’s Rodrygo on 29 minutes. His shot taking a deflection that gave the keeper no chance, the ball hitting the post and then into the back of the net.
Good from a Newcastle United perspective to see the Brazil boss looking after Bruno Guimaraes, the NUFC midfielder one of two taken off on 62 minutes.
Bruno now moves on to Tuesday (early hours of Wednesday in UK time) for a showdown with Newcastle United teammate Miguel Almiron, Paraguay v Brazil.
Speaking of Miggy, he put in a great shift along with his international teammates on Friday night (early hours Saturday in the UK).
Uruguay second in the table and at home but Paraguay limiting them to just one effort on target. Paraguay themselves only managed two themselves, but a great point on the road for them.
Miguel Almiron playing 82 minutes before becoming one of a number of subbed off players, as Paraguay looked to see out the goalless draw.
That point could prove crucial, as they are currently in the play-off spot for those 2026 World Cup finals, the top six automatically qualifying, this is the up to date South American qualifying group table on Saturday morning:
This is the September 2024 international schedule for Newcastle United players:
Thursday 5 September
Azerbaijan 1 Sweden 3
Alexander Isak on fire in this Nations League match. Scoring the first two goals and then bizarrely denied his hat-trick.
Alexander Isak winning the penalty but instead of the Newcastle United striker taking the spot-kick to finish off a great personal match, it was Gyokeres who took the 80th minute spot-kick to put Sweden 3-0 up. The home side getting a consolation goal late on.
Estonia 0 Slovakia 1
Martin Dubravka getting a morale boosting clean sheet as the Newcastle United number two keeper helped his country to an opening Nations League group win, the winner coming on 70 minutes.
Friday 6 September
France 1 Italy 3
A stunning international comeback for Sandro Tonali.
France taking the lead after only 12 seconds but the Newcastle United midfielder superb, as he and his international teammates came back and blew the home side away in Paris. A very much deserved win for Italy and this Nations League victory set in motion with a stunning equaliser on 30 minutes, a sublime flick by Sandro Tonali followed by an arguably even better volley from Dimarco.
Uruguay 0 Paraguay 0
A great result for Miguel Almiron and his teammates in this World Cup group qualifier against the team that is second top. Paraguay restricting Uruguay to just one effort on target and Miggy playing 82 minutes before becoming one of a number of players subbed off late, as the visitors ran the clock down.
Brazil 1 Equador 0
A massive result for Bruno Guimaraes and his Brazil teammates, after they had lost their last three World Cup group qualifiers.
Ecuador had lost only one of their last five group qualifiers and were a tough nut to crack in a very dour defensive contest. Only five efforts on target between the two teams and Brazil winning thanks to a shot by Rodrygo on 29 minutes that deflected past the visiting keeper and went in off the post.
A good shift from Bruno in his more defensive midfield role than we see for Newcastle United, good to see the Brazil boss looking after him, as Bruno was one of a couple of players taken off after 62 minutes, leaving their teammates to see out this dour victory.
Saturday 7 September
Republic of Ireland v England (Nick Pope, Tino Livramento, Anthony Gordon) Nations League
Sunday 8 September
Sweden v Estonia (Alexander Isak) Nations League
Slovakia v Azerbaijan (Martin Dubravka) Nations League
Monday 9 September
Israel v Italy (Sandro Tonali) Nations League
England U21s v Austria U21s (Lewis Hall) U21 Euros group qualifier
Tuesday 10 September
England v Finland (Nick Pope, Tino Livramento, Anthony Gordon) Nations League
Paraguay v Brazil (Bruno Guimaraes, Miguel Almiron) World Cup group qualifier (UK time, kick-off early hours of Wednesday)
Denmark U21s v Czech Republic U21s (Will Osula) U21s Euros group qualifier
Republic of Ireland U21s v Latvia U21s (Alex Murphy) U21 Euros group qualifier

 
