- Nabeel
Nathan Ake scores, John Stones injury scare – Manchester City International Roundup (26/03/22)
Manchester City had six players involved in international friendly action this evening, with Nathan Ake getting on the scoresheet for the Netherlands and John Stones' pre-game injury ahead of England vs Switzerland seemingly not as serious as first feared.
England 2-1 Switzerland
Phil Foden and John Stones were named in Gareth Southgate's starting eleven for the Wembley clash against Switzerland, with Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish named amongst the substitutes. However, during the warmup, Stones picked up an issue and was subsequently replaced in the starting eleven by Arsenal's Ben White.
Breel Embolo would give the visitors the lead in the 22nd minute before Southgate's side responded on the brink of halftime with a Luke Shaw strike. Grealish and Sterling entered proceedings on the 62nd minute;15 minutes before the former whipped in an inviting corner that Marc Guehi headed onto an outstretched Swiss arm. A VAR review awarded Harry Kane the opportunity to notch his 49th international goal and give England the lead from the penalty spot – the Tottenham man made no mistake. Jude Bellingham replaced Foden not long after.
Post-match, it has been revealed that Stones suffered tightness in his adductor and could be back for England's game against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday night, which is welcome news given the initial pre-game fears with Ruben Dias still recovering from a hamstring injury. Pep Guardiola will hope Stones is not risked on Tuesday, with crucial fixtures coming up for the Premier League champions.
Spain 2-1 Albania
Rodri was named in Luis Enrique's starting XI for Albania's visit to Estadi Cornella-El Prat, whilst Aymeric Laporte was named on the bench; the latter did not play a single minute of the game while Rodri completed the full 90 minutes.
Former City forward Ferran Torres gave the Spaniards the lead in the 75th minute, but Albania responded ten minutes later through Myrto Uzuni. Unfortunately for the Albanians, Dani Olmo would seal the win for Spain after he curled a beauty into the top corner of Etrit Berisha's net in the 90th minute.
Germany 2-0 Israel
Ilkay Gundogan wore the armband for Hansi Flick's side as they faced Israel at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena, featuring for the first half – and picking up a goal contribution – before being replaced by Thomas Muller.
Kai Havertz gave the Germans the lead on the 36th minute with a header following a cross from David Raum. Just before half-time, Gundogan delivered a free-kick that found Timo Werner, who doubled the advantage.
Netherlands 4-2 Denmark
Louis Van Gaal named Nathan Ake as one of his three starting central defenders against Denmark, with the 27-year-old playing 75 minutes and picking up a goal in an entertaining game at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
The Dutch took the lead through a Steven Bergwijn header on the 16th minute before Jannick Vestergaard responded with a header of his own to bring Denmark level just four minutes later. Ake would rise highest next, nodding in to give the Netherlands the lead with 29 minutes played. Memphis Depay would convert a penalty seven minutes from half-time to give his side a two-goal cushion at the break.
Christian Eriksen pulled one back for Denmark in a great moment for the now Brentford man, following his cardiac arrest at the Euros last summer. However, Bergwijn doubled his tally and restored the two-goal Dutch cushion on the 71st minute, with the Dutch going on to pick up the win.
Written by: @NA1907_
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