Tottenham Hotspur international roundup

The international break is without fail a long, dark, and interminably boring affair, with very little of actual consequence happening in Tottenham Hotspur-land. But since we do have international games that are going on, let’s give a quick summary of how Spurs players have done thus far.

There were a good number of Spurs players in action, both at the senior and youth level. The best we can say is that it appears that no Tottenham players were injured at all during the break, which is a minor miracle and a huge relief.

England

Kyle Walker, Dele Alli, and Eric Dier started both of England’s two matches this week: a 1-0 friendly loss in Germany, and a 2-0 win over Lithuania in World Cup qualifying. Walker and Dier both played 90 minutes in both matches, while Dele was subbed off in the second half against Germany.

England U21

England’s U21 side clobbered Denmark 4-0 on Monday, behind a brace from Chelsea’s Reuben Loftus-Cheek. Harry Winks was an unused substitute because England U21 Aidy Boothroyd is clearly an idiot. (However, we perhaps should thank him for not playing him in a useless friendly and potentially getting him injured. So, thanks Aidy! Forget I said anything.)

England U19

Marcus “Messi with an Afro” Edwards started and scored as England’s U19s routed Belarus 5-1 in a friendly on Monday. Spurs’ Alfie Whiteman started in goal. Both Edwards and Whiteman were unused substitutes as England beat Spain’s U19s three days earlier. Marcus was the only Spurs player to score at all during this international break, and here’s his goal!

France

Hugo Lloris started and captained France to a 3-1 win over Luxembourg in World Cup qualifying on March 25. France and Spain were in the middle of a friendly match at the time of this posting, with Hugo again starting between the sticks.

Belgium

Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, and Mousa Dembele each started as Belgium earned a 3-3 draw at Russia in World Cup Qualifying. Dembele was subbed off in the 85th minute for Eden Hazard.

Korea

South Korea split two AFC World Cup qualifiers over the break, falling 1-0 at China on March 23, but beating Syria 1-0 on Tuesday. Son Heung-Min was suspended for the loss to China, but played 90 minutes against Syria.

Netherlands

It was a rough break for the Netherlands, who dropped a 2-0 away World Cup qualifier to Bulgaria, a match that saw national team manager Danny Blind fired. They take on Italy in a friendly today. Vincent Janssen was named to Blind’s side, but did not play due to illness. Michel Vorm was on the bench.

Denmark

The Danish national team played only one match: a scoreless World Cup Qualification draw against Romania on Sunday. Christian Eriksen started and went the distance for the Danes.

Kenya

Victor Wanyama started and played 90 minutes in Kenya’s 2-1 friendly win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Sunday. Kenya also played a friendly 1-1 draw against Uganda earlier in the week; Wanyama did not feature.

Wales

Ben Davies again started on the left side of a back three and played 90 minutes as Wales earned a scoreless draw against Ireland in World Cup Qualifying on Friday.