International roundup: Fernández makes Argentina debut – and nearly scores

+++ 1 October: Fernández makes long-awaited debut +++

A major career milestone for Ezequiel Fernández. The midfielder made his debut for the Argentine senior national team in the early hours of Thursday morning. In the friendly against Bolivia, the 24-year-old came on in the 74th minute, with the score at 3–0, replacing Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister. Moments after coming on, Equi Fernández almost capped off his debut with a headed goal. That would certainly have pleased former Leverkusen player Exequiel Palacios, who started the match and only left the pitch in the closing stages. However, the fourth and final goal of the evening went to his team-mate José Lopez. The Albiceleste eventually won 4–0. Facundo Medina did not feature. It was the first match without superstar Lionel Messi, who announced his retirement from the national team following the defeat in the World Cup final in the summer.

+++ 30 September: Moreira and Portugal U21s secure place at the U21 European Championships +++

A successful night for Afonso Moreira. Following their 2-1 defeat to Bulgaria at the start of this international break, the Portugal U21s went on to secure a convincing 4–0 victory over Gibraltar early on Wednesday night. The speedy Leverkusen winger came on in the 61st minute and was instrumental in setting up the final goal – an own goal by Gibraltar’s Javan Peacock. It was Portugal’s final match in the U21 European Championship qualifiers; Moreira and his team-mates finished top of Group B. The Esperanças have secured their place at the EURO 2027 tournament in Albania and Serbia.

+++ 30 September: Tillman wins again with USA +++

The USA national team continued to score freely in their second friendly: Following their 4–1 victory over Peru – with Malik Tillman scoring from the penalty spot, coach Mauricio Pochettino’s side went on to beat Chile 4–2. Tillman, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen, came on after 63 minutes with the score at 2–1. The USA friendlies continue against Mexico and Canada.

+++ 29 September: Cameroon remain top of the table +++

Like Algeria, with Ibrahim Maza (see below), Cameroon also followed up an opening victory with a draw in the AFCON qualifiers. Following their 3–1 win over the Comoros, they drew 1–1 with Congo. For Cameroon, Bayer 04 striker Christian Kofane, who was substituted in the first match after picking up an injury, did not feature. A final friendly against Côte d’Ivoire now lies ahead.

+++ 29 September: Quansah’s England win in Czechia +++

The Three Lions secured a vital three points on Tuesday evening on matchday 2 in the UEFA Nations League (League A). In Prague, England – who had a man advantage from the 25th minute onwards – beat hosts the Czechia 2–0 thanks to two goals after the break. Werkself defender Jarell Quansah, who played the full 90 minutes in the opening match against Spain (2–3), did not feature this time. The remaining opponents in the current international fixtures are Croatia and Czechia again.

​+++ 29 September: Maza and co. only manage to draw +++

Still top of the table, yet having missed out on a second win in their second match: Algeria, with Bayer 04 playmaker Ibrahim Maza playing the full 90 minutes, drew 2–2 with Burundi on Tuesday. Trailing by two goals after just twelve minutes, the North African side fought their way back into the match to retain top spot in Group I in the AFCON qualifiers. A friendly against Niger rounds off the current international break.

+++ 28 September: Tapsoba and Burkina Faso celebrate first win in AFCON qualifiers +++

Following their 1-1 opening draw against Benin, Burkina Faso, led by defensive stalwart Edmond Tapsoba, who played the full 90 minutes, beat the Central African Republic 1-0 on Matchday 2 in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The only goal of the game came on the hour mark. As a result, Burkina Faso have gone top in Group F. Tapsoba and his team-mates will round off their international fixtures with a friendly in Argentina.

+++ 27 September: The Oranje secure crucial victory in Serbia +++

Following their 1-1 draw with Germany at the start of the new Nations League campaign, the Dutch national team have picked up their first three points with a 2-1 win in Serbia thanks to a brace from Mexx Meerdink (AZ Alkmaar). Bayer 04 goalkeeper Mark Flekken was once again on the bench. Their remaining opponents are Greece and Serbia again.

+++ 26 September: Quansah plays full 90 minutes in England defeat +++

Jarell Quansah’s Three Lions kicked off their international campaign with a narrow defeat. Against Spain, England turned an early deficit into a 2–1 lead. Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane then missed a penalty. However, in the final half-hour, Spain fought back and eventually won 3–2. Quansah played the full 90 minutes at right-back. On Tuesday, 29 September, England have their next chance to pick up points against Czechia.

+++ 26 September: Tillman scores as the USA secure victory +++

In Orlando, Florida, the USA took on Peru in a friendly. With Malik Tillman in the starting line-up, the home side took an early lead but promptly conceded an equaliser. After the break, the Bayer 04 player scored from the penalty spot to restore the lead, that his team extended to 4–1 by the final whistle. Tillman was substituted on 77 minutes and he is now preparing with his national team for their next friendly – against Chile on Wednesday 30 September.

+++ 25 September: Outstanding Maza leads Algeria to opening win +++

Algeria made a successful start to Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with a comfortable 3-1 win over Zambia. Ibrahim Maza played the full match and scored the goal that made it 2-1 as well as setting up the final goal. The Fennecs continue in Group I against Burundi before finishing the international period with a friendly against Niger.

+++ 25 September: Tapsoba and Co with draw in AFCON qualifying +++

With Edmond Tapsoba in the starting XI, Burkina Faso were held to a 1-1 draw by Benin at the start of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations. Both goals were penalties. Their next opponents in Group F are Central African Republic, before Tapsoba and Co travel to Buenos Aires for a friendly against World Cup runners-up Argentina.

+++ 25 September: Moreira subbed on in Portugal U21 loss +++

Afonso Moreira kicked things off on Friday evening from a Leverkusen point of view. The 21-year-old came off the bench in the 65th minute of Portugal U21's clash against Bulgaria, with his team 1-0 up, but they threw away the lead in the closing stages and went on to lose 2-1. The Portuguese youngsters remain top of Group B in European Championship qualifying, however - in fact it was the first two goals they've conceded in the campaign after eight rounds of matches. Their final two fixtures are against Gibraltar, who are bottom with no points, and closest pursuers Czech Republic.

+++ 24 September: Cameroon, with Kofane in the line-up, win their opening Africa Cup of Nations qualifier +++

Cameroon’s national team lived up to their role as favourites in their home match against the Comoros, securing their first three points in their bid to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3–1 victory. Werkself striker Christian Kofane started the match but remained in the dressing room at half-time – a precautionary measure, as national team coach David Pagou explained afterwards. Their next opponents in the coming days are Congo (AFCON qualifier) and Côte d’Ivoire (friendly).

+++ 24 September: A hard-fought point against Germany +++

A classic football fixture took place at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on Thursday night: The Netherlands and Germany faced on Matchday 1 in the new UEFA Nations League (League A) campaign. It also marked the first outing of the two new national team managers: Xavi took charge of the Oranje, while Jürgen Klopp led the Germany team as head coach.

The hosts, with Bayer 04 goalkeeper Mark Flekken on the bench, made the better start with a goal in the twelfth minute – though it was disallowed following a VAR review due to a foul. Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha put Germany ahead on the half-hour mark – this time within the rules. The final word went to the Oranje when Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo scored in second-half stoppage time to make it 1–1. The other opponents in the current international break are Serbia (twice) and Greece.

Overview of international fixtures: