Internationals | Wolves players among the goals

21st November 2019

November has been a successful period for Wolves’ international stars, with many getting on the scoresheet as their countries went unbeaten throughout the week of matches.

The Portuguese quartet of Rui Patricio, Joao Moutinho, Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota all played their part in helping their country qualify for Euro 2020, with Jota making his first two appearances for the senior Portugal side.

The forward came on with just under 10 minutes to go in Portugal’s 6-0 victory over Lithuania joining his Wolves team mates on the pitch at the same time after Patricio and Neves started the match, while Moutinho appeared off the bench 11 minutes earlier.

Three days later, the quartet were back on the pitch together for Portugal during a 2-0 win against Luxembourg which secured their country’s place at Euro 2020. Jota came inches away from his first senior goal, before Cristiano Ronaldo helped the ball into the back of the net.

Also in Euro 2020 qualifying action this week and opening his international goalscoring account was Matt Doherty. The Irishman missed his country’s 3-1 friendly victory against New Zealand before scoring the equalising goal against Denmark to bring his country level to 1-1.

Despite the draw, Ireland came up short in their qualifying group, and will now rely on making it through their play-off in March.

Leander Dendoncker was an unused substitute in both of Belgium’s final qualifying matches. His side were already guaranteed of a place in Euro 2020 but confirmed their 100 per cent record in reaching the tournament with a 4-1 win over Russia followed by a 6-1 victory against Cyprus.

Raul Jimenez scored twice as Mexico took down Panama 3-0 in their CONCACAF Nations League Group B clash. The striker hit first after just eight minutes on Saturday, before netting a 85^th minute penalty to tie up the victory.

Although named as a substitute for their final group game against Bermuda in the early hours of Wednesday, Jimenez played the last 20 minutes as Mexico came from behind to seal a 2-1 win, with the Wolves man setting up the winning goal.

Playing in both defence and midfield during his two matches for Morocco this week, Romain Saiss helped his country to four points in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

A 0-0 draw with Mauritania in which Saiss played in defence, he then was moved further up the pitch for their second Group E clash with Burundi which ended in a 3-0 victory for the Atlas Lions.

Patrick Cutrone was also on the scoresheet this week as he netted twice in the final six minutes to help Italy under-21 to a 3-0 win over Iceland in UEFA Euro U21 qualifying.

Two assists in the Azzurrini’s 6-0 win against Armenia on Tuesday night saw Cutrone help his country up to second in the Group A table, three points behind Conor Ronan’s Ireland under-21.

Wolves internationals November results

Jimenez (Mexico): CONCACAF Nations League