On a bustling night of international football, Manchester United players found themselves at the heart of the action once again.
Noussair Mazraoui, fresh off a vital assist against Niger, shone brightly for Morocco. The 27-year-old was nothing short of dominant as Morocco secured a 2-0 victory over Tanzania. With 102 touches and a staggering 96% pass accuracy, Mazraoui was a pivotal figure on the field.
His attacking prowess was on full display, contributing two key passes and successfully delivering three out of four crosses. Throughout the evening, the Tanzanian defense struggled to contain him as he made an impressive 80% of his dribbles count. Not just an offensive force, Mazraoui also held his ground defensively, winning seven out of ten ground duels.
Meanwhile, Manuel Ugarte found himself embroiled in a gritty World Cup qualifier as Uruguay battled to a 0-0 draw with Bolivia. Despite the hard-fought nature of the match, Ugarte managed to craft two key passes, though his overall pass completion stood at 64%.
The intensity of the match was evident as Ugarte engaged in a remarkable 24 ground duels, triumphing in just eight due to the tenacious Bolivian midfield. His defensive contributions were solid, marking six tackles, alongside two interceptions and clearances. Pushing forward whenever possible, he registered one shot off target and saw another well-defended by Bolivia.
In contrast, Victor Lindelof enjoyed a relatively serene night as Sweden thrashed a youthful Northern Ireland team 5-1 in Stockholm. Playing the entire match, Lindelof made five clearances and dominated all three of his aerial challenges, though he found success in just one of his four ground duels.
The seasoned defender appeared comfortable and composed, reflecting in his 83 touches and a noteworthy 96% passing rate.
James Scanlon faced a challenging evening with Gibraltar, succumbing to a 0-4 defeat against Czechia. It proved to be a rigorous test for the young talent and his team. Completing just 30% of his passes, Scanlon did manage to create one key opportunity. Engaging in 10 ground duels, he secured victory in only three as Gibraltar struggled throughout the game.
Despite the result, gaining another 90 minutes of senior international experience will undoubtedly benefit the promising 18-year-old moving forward.
(Photo by Michael Regan via Getty Images)
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