In the final national team fixtures before FIFA World Cup squads are announced, the Atleti players were in action all over the globe with varying degrees of success. Some cemented their places with useful performances but one crucial player to Atlético’s next few weeks has come back injured.
Here, Into the Calderón brings you all you need to know about the March international
break from an Atlético Madrid point of view.
USMNT disaster for Johnny
Johnny Cardoso was taken off at half-time in the USA’s heavy 5-2 defeat at the hands of Belgium in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday. Manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed it was a “planned substitution” due to the midfielder feeling some discomfort during the week.
However, it has since come about that Cardoso might miss the next two weeks with a low-grade adductor strain. With Pablo Barrios still to return after a long injury layoff and Rodrigo Mendoza also out, Los Colchoneros are looking thin in the middle of the park. Questions will have to be asked of Pochettino’s decision to play Cardoso in the friendly knowing he already had a niggle.
Elsewhere in North America, Obed Vargas played the first half of Mexico’s 0-0 draw with Portugal, and came off the bench in the second half of his country’s 1-1 draw with Belgium. The youngster will almost certainly represent his nation in a home World Cup, and his involvement in the team could be significant based on the number of minutes he is completing for El Tri.
Argentina is Atleti
Nearly a quarter of Argentina’s latest squad was made up of players from Atleti. Starting in goal, Juan Musso came on during his country’s second game of the break, playing the last 15 minutes against Zambia and maintaining a clean sheet in the 5-0 win. It was just his third appearance for the albiceleste, and his first since 2021. There looks to be little doubt that he’ll be Argentina’s second-choice goalkeeper this summer.
Nahuel Molina continued his goal-contributing form, providing an assist in the 2-1 win over Mauritania last weekend. He also played the entirety of the second match against Zambia, proving to be unthreatened in his right-back position.
Further up the pitch there were two more Atleti players setting up their teammates for goals, with Nico González teeing up Valentin Barco late on against Zambia, and Thiago Almada linking up with none other than Julián Alvarez for the same game’s opener.
We also saw appearances in both games for Giuliano Simeone, who completes the sextuple of Argentine Atléticos.
Marcos shines for Spain
Marcos Llorente was one of only three outfield players who played the full 90 minutes of Spain’s 3-0 win over Serbia in what looked to be Luis de la Fuente’s first-choice eleven. Playing at right-back, Llorente impressed doing what he has been doing for Atleti all season, with one outstanding recovery sprint that took everyone aback.
With Dani Carvajal not getting minutes at Real Madrid and Pedro Porro languishing at Tottenham Hotspur, it’s looking increasingly likely that Marquitos will be the number one choice for Spain in North America this year.
Also appearing against Serbia was Álex Baena, who managed 77 minutes of that affair. Acting as a left winger with more intent to come inside rather than go beyond his marker, it’s unclear as to his position in the team, with De la Fuente also trying Yeremy Pino and Víctor Muñóz, who bring a more electric profile than Baena.
With Nico Williams seemingly out of the World Cup, Baena has a chance to take on that left side of the attack should his manager opt with a more traditional Spanish creative style.
Hancko heartbreak & Sørloth scare
The 94th-minute assist that David Hancko provided wasn’t enough to see his Slovakia side progress in the World Cup play-offs against Kosovo. A win would have earned a winner-takes-it-all match against Turkey for a place at this summer’s tournament, but it wasn’t to be as Slovakia suffered a 4-3 defeat. Hancko came up against RCD Mallorca striker Vedat Muriqi, and although he reduced him to not being able to get on the scoresheet, it was the Balearic pirate who got his country over the line, though they eventually lost to Turkey a few days later.
Alexander Sørloth started both of his country’s fixtures over the break, but it ended in a less-than-ideal fashion. He played 64 minutes in Norway’s 2-1 loss to the Netherlands, and then had to be substituted off with a nasty head injury after 70 minutes of the goalless draw against Switzerland. His availability for this weekend’s LALIGA clash with FC Barcelona is in doubt, and he is being assessed by the Atlético Madrid medical team upon his arrival back to Spain.
Lookman’s new role & Giménez at Wembley
Ademola Lookman played almost the entirety of Nigeria’s two fixtures over the break in a number 10 position behind the striker. His country managed a 2-1 win over Iran and a 2-2 draw against Jordan, both teams who have qualified for this summer’s World Cup. The Super Eagles won’t be participating in North America, after failing to qualify from the CAF region.
Lastly, José María Giménez looked incredibly proud as his Uruguay side managed a 1-1 draw against England at Wembley. Originally starting on the bench, Giménez was called into action after only 16 minutes, having to replace an injured teammate. Donning the captain’s armband, he kept his team resolute until England broke the deadlock in the 81st minute, but a stoppage time Fede Valverde penalty rescued a draw for the Uruguayans.
