Buffon Azzurri

Bianconeri international round-up

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Bianconeri international round-up
Bianconeri international round-up
Bianconeri international round-up

Tuesday night saw seven Bianconeri involved in international action. Kicking off proceedings in Bari, Italy fell at the hands of France in a friendly game that Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini all started, the latter playing a full 90 minutes, with Daniele Rugani replacing Barzagli at half-time.

Graziano Pellè had levelled for the Azzurri following Anthony Martial’s opener for the visitors, who would go on to secure the spoils through strikes by Olivier Giroud and Layvin Kurzawa.

Giampiero Ventura’s men now turn their attentions to their first World Cup qualifier on Monday away to Israel.

Meanwhile across the Atlantic, there were World Cup qualifying wins for Dani Alves’ Brazil, Juan Cuadrado’s Colombia and Paulo Dybala’s Argentina.

Dani Alves played the whole match of his country’s 3-0 victory against Ecuador, sealed late on courtesy of goals by Neymar and a Gabriel Jesus brace.

Just a day after his return to Juventus was confirmed, Cuadrado came off the bench after 70 minutes in Colombia’s 2-0 triumph over Venezuela, in which James Rodriguez and Macnelly Torres got their names on the scoresheet.

And there would be maximum points too for the Albiceleste thanks to Lionel Messi netting the only goal of the game in the 43rd minute and moments before Dybala picked up a second yellow card.

Yesterday’s results see Argentina top the South American qualifying group on 14 points, while Colombia and Brazil occupy third (13 points) and fifth place (12 points) respectively following seven fixtures.

On Monday night, Morocco captain Medhi Benatia featured in a goalless friendly stalemate against Albania, while in-form Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira was an unused substitute as Germany saw off Finland 4-1 in what was an emotional encounter with Bastian Schweinsteiger making his final appearance for Die Mannschaft.

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