Men's International Review

THE final international break of the 2024/25 season has reached its conclusion with a number of World Cup qualifiers and friendly matches taking place over the past week.

Here is our review of who was involved and how they fared:

John Souttar and Connor Barron – Scotland

  • Scotland 1-3 Iceland – International Friendly

  • Lichtenstein 0-4 Scotland – International Friendly

There was a mixed bag of results for Steve Clarke’s men as they played out a pair of friendly matches ahead of their World Cup qualifiers beginning in September.

Gers defender John Souttar was on the scoresheet in their home fixture at Hampden Park on Friday evening, but he couldn’t prevent the Scots from falling to a 3-1 defeat to Iceland.

They rounded off their break in Vaduz on Monday, with the centre-back not involved but there was however a proud moment for midfielder Connor Barron, who made his international debut for his country coming off the bench in a 4-0 win.

Nico Raskin – Belgium

  • North Macedonia 1-1 Belgium – World Cup Qualifier

  • Belgium 4-3 Wales – World Cup Qualifier

Nico was involved from the off as he continued to gain recognition on the international stage as Belgium were firstly denied three points in World Cup qualifying after a late North Macedonia goal cancelled out their 28th minute opener.

The midfielder then dropped to the bench in the second fixture of the break, although did appear on the pitch as his nation firstly surrendered a three-goal lead to the Welsh before a dramatic Kevin De Bruyne goal secured victory in their search of booking their place in the finals next summer.

Raskin has gone from strength to strength as a Rangers player of the past season, being named the club’s player of the year whilst now getting minutes for his country having made his debut earlier this year.

Mohamed Diomande – Ivory Coast

  • New Zealand 1-0 Ivory Coast – International Friendly

  • Canada 0-0 Ivory Coast – International Friendly

The Light Blues midfielder continued to add to his international caps in the most recent break as the African nation played out a pair of friendlies in North America.

Firstly, they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to New Zealand on Sunday with Diomande starting the match before they played out a goalless draw against Canada in the early hours of this morning with the midfielder introduced off the bench, with his nation coming out on top 5-4 on penalty kicks.

They continue their World Cup qualifying campaign come the next break in September when they host Burundi, having taken 16 points in their group so far as they sit top after six matches played.

Hamza Igamane – Morocco

  • Morocco 2-0 Tunisia – International Friendly

  • Morocco 1-0 Benin – International Friendly

Hamza was part of the Morocco squad who enjoyed a productive international break with a pair of friendly victories over fellow African opposition.

Indeed, they firstly triumphed 2-0 over Tunisia on Friday before a single goal success followed over Benin at the start of the week.

Despite being an unused substitute for both outings, the youngster will be keen to build on the international front in the matches to come later in the year having made his debut for his nation back in March.

Cyriel Dessers – Nigeria

  • Ghana 1-2 Nigeria – International Friendly

  • Jamaica 2-2 Nigeria – International Friendly

  • Russia 1-1 Nigeria – International Friendly

Frontman Cyriel Dessers and the Super Eagles were in Europe over the most recent international window as they played out a hat-trick of friendly matches.

The forward continued his fine form in the latter part of the season as he was on the scoresheet in a 2-1 win over Ghana at the home of Brentford before he again featured in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Jamaica where they eventually fell to defeat on spot kicks.

Nigeria rounded off the break with a 1-1 draw against Russia as their attention now turns back to World Cup qualifying in the next round of matches come September.

Nedim Bajrami – Albania

  • Albania 0-0 Serbia – World Cup Qualifier

  • Latvia 1-1 Albania – World Cup Qualifier

Nedim was involved in the Albania ranks as their respective World Cup qualifying campaign continued with two further outings in Group K.

The attacking midfielder came off the bench in a goalless draw on Friday evening before a score draw with Latvia was to follow yesterday.

He once again appeared for the latter part of the game and will be hoping to earn further caps come the next break when they prepare to take on the same opponents. Albania currently sit in second place in the table, taking five points from four matches.

Rabbi Matondo – Wales

  • Wales 3-0 Lichtenstein – World Cup Qualifier

  • Belgium 4-3 Wales – World Cup Qualifier

Rabbi was part of the Wales squad who continued their World Cup qualifiers with two further matches over the most recent break.

Indeed, the winger was an unused substitute in a 3-0 success in Cardiff before he earned a cap off the bench as Craig Bellamy’s men suffered an unfortunate 4-3 defeat to the Belgians having come back from three goals down.

The winger spent the second half of the season on loan in Bundesliga 2 with Hannover 96 where he 10 appearances for the side and scored on his debut.


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