Fabian Schar impressive, Bruno subbed and no sign of Martin Dubravka


 
 
 
 
 
 

Bruno Guimaraes starting again for Brazil in what turned out to be a feisty encounter with Spain.

A six goal thriller with Paqueta scoring a penalty in the sixth minute of added time to rescue a draw. Spain having led 2-0 before Brazil came back to draw 2-2, then Rodri looking to have won it with his second penalty goal in the 87th minute.

All the talk was of two teenagers after the game. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal who played a part in all three of Spain’s goals, whilst 17 year old Endrick who is on his way to Real Madrid, followed up his winner at Wembley with the goal for 2-2 only five minute after coming on.

As for Bruno Guimaraes, subbed at half-time but one of three changes then, so probably pre-planned. Plus all three Brazil payers to be subbed at half-time had been booked, so that could have been a major factor. Bruno Guimaraes booked along with Laporte, in a 42nd minute incident. In total, nine yellow cards shown in this match.

Brazil not finding life as easy as they did against England, Bruno Guimaraes was one of a number of Brazil players who could have better when Olmo made it 2-0 on 36 minutes.

The final 3-3 scoreline probably a fair reflection of the 90 minutes.

Fabian Schar made an excellent return to the starting eleven on Saturday, when helping Sweden keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw, helping restrict Denmark to just two efforts on target.

Tuesday night seeing more of the same in Dublin, Switzerland winning 1-0 against the Republic of Ireland and the Newcastle United defender excellent once again.

Playing for 80 minutes on the right of a three man defence, Schar helping the Swiss to another clean sheet and Ireland just the one effort on target all night.

Meanwhile, Slovakia getting a credible draw with an 87th minute Duda equaliser in Oslo, Sorlorth having given Norway an 18th minute lead.

I have had a look around but can’t find any reporting on why Martin Dubravka was nowhere to be seen, not listed in either the starting eleven or amongst the subs for Slovakia. Hopefully nothing to be concerned about ahead of the West Ham match on Saturday.

Newcastle United internationals – March 2024:

Thursday 21 March

Portugal 5 Sweden 2

Emil Krafth arriving as a 60th minute sub with Sweden already 4-1 down and Alexander Isak playing the full match but not getting on the scoresheet. The friendly taking place in the Portuguese city of Guimaraes. This was also the first game for Sweden with former Newcastle United striker Jon Dahl Tomasson in charge, after he took over in late February 2024 after leaving Blackburn.

Friday 22 March

Poland U20s 1 England U20s 5

Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley started and starred in this 5-1 England Elite League hammering of Poland. The NUFC duo subbed off in the 72nd and 78th minutes respectively when England were 4-0 up, before both sides scored in the closing stages. Seventeen year old Lewis Miley was making his England Elite League debut.

Saturday 23 March

England 0 Brazil 1

An entertaining match for an England friendly, as Newcastle United duo Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes both put in very good performances. The pair subbed on 75 and 78 minutes respectively having impressed, not so impressive the England defending as finally Bruno took advantage with an 80th minute Endrick winner.

Anthony Gordon surely having now booked his place on the plane to Germany this summer, whilst Bruno pulled the strings for Brazil in midfield, where he is now a regular first team starter.

Denmark 0 Switzerland 0

A welcome return to the Switzerland starting eleven for Newcastle United’s Fabian Schar, playing the full 90 minutes on the right of a three man defence, helping to restrict the home side to only two efforts on target.

Slovakia 0 Austria 2

An even game but after Martin Dubravka and his teammates conceded in the first six seconds, they couldn’t find a way back into this match. As they pressed for the equaliser, conceding a second goal late on.

Monday 25 March

Russia v Paraguay

Miguel Almiron and his international teammates seeing the friendly cancelled following the terrorist attack on a concert hall near Moscow on Friday.

Sweden 1 Albania 0

A successful night for Emil Krafth and Alexander Isak, as the Newcastle United duo both started in this friendly win. Isak playing the full match and Krafth subbed off with four minutes to go.

Tuesday 26 March

England 2 Belgium 2

A poor display from England against what is now a very average Belgium side. Anthony Gordon brought on with 80 minutes gone and England 2-1 down, the NUFC winger reinforcing the impression he’d made on his debut against Brazil.

Gordon not playing a direct part in the equaliser but looking good again, every lively and willing to run at the Belgium defence, as well as tracking back.

Czech Republic U20s 1 England U20s 3

Disappointing news that Lewis Miley was ruled out of this England Elite League win due to a back injury, with Eddie Howe awaiting news on scans. However, a cracking showing from Newcastle United teammate Lewis Hall. Introduced in the second-half with the score 1-1 and England struggling as they looked likely to lose this, Hall then turned the direction of the game with two quality assists for Tottenham striker Dane Scarlett.