Only victories for the Manchester City lads today. Riyad Mahrez’s Algeria breezed through Djibouti, Gabriel Jesus’ Brazil saw off Colombia and a City dominated England team defeated Albania.
BRAZIL 1-0 COLOMBIA
In the early hours of Friday morning, Brazil played Colombia in a CONMEBOL Qualification match. Gabriel Jesus started the game in the number nine role and played 64 minutes. He was replaced by Matheus Cunha.
Brazil won the game through a Lucas Paqueta goal supplied by Neymar in the 72nd minute. Colombia find themselves fifth in the group on 16 points, with Brazil reaching 34 points. This puts Gabriel Jesus and company nine points clear of second-placed Argentina.
DJIBOUTI 0-4 ALGERIA
Riyad Mahrez started on the bench for Algeria in their CAF Qualification group game. Manchester City’s Algerian star entered proceedings in the 46th minute and saw out the game. Ismael Bennacer made way.
Goals from Mohamed Belaili, Said Benrahma, Sofiane Feghouli and Islam Slimani routed pointless Djibouti who remain firmly seated at the bottom of Group A. Algeria on the other hand remain two points clear at the top, having scored 23 goals and conceding just two in five games so far.
ENGLAND 5-0 ALBANIA
Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, John Stones, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden started England’s game against Albania. Jack Grealish found himself on the bench.
England ran riot in the first half, scoring four goals after half an hour. Harry Maguire scored the first, with Harry Kane getting the second. Jordan Henderson bagged the third after some nice linkup play between Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden. The fourth goal was Harry Kane again, this time assisted by Raheem Sterling. The wantaway Spurs' striker then scored his hat-trick just before halftime with a bicycle kick finishing off a Phil Foden cross.
After an hour, Jack Grealish entered play at the expense of Phil Foden. Raheem Sterling then made way for Emile Smith-Rowe after 75 minutes. England remain top of Group I, three points clear of Poland after nine games.
Cole Palmer
In other news. After picking up a suspected hamstring injury in England U21’s 3-1 win over the Czech Republic, Cole Palmer issued an update on his injury through Instagram. Good news for the lad, and for City.
Written by: @CityReportBen
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