Debut, returns, qualification... A look back at the October break
The international break is now over, Ligue 1 is making its big comeback this weekend. And what better way to get back on track than with a big match against Lille, this Friday (8:45 p.m.), at the Stade Louis-II. This is an opportunity for the Rouge et Blanc to consolidate their leadership position. But before diving into this match, let’s take a look back at the international matches played by our 20 players including the academy. Recap’. 🔙
Senegal head to AFCON🌍
The qualifiers were at the heart of this international break and the African continent was no exception to the rule with the qualifiers for AFCON 2025. A competition in which Lamine Camara’s Senegal will take part, winner of both matches against Malawi, and assured of finishing in the top two places in his group. A starter in the first match, the Monegasque midfielder played 65 minutes before remaining on the bench afterwards.
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The Lions of Teranga will be accompanied by Eliesse Ben Seghir’s Morocco. Assured of participating in the finals as the host country, Walid Regragui’s men are nevertheless taking these qualifiers seriously, as evidenced by the two matches played against the Central African Republic (5-0 and then 0-4 wins). In the second match the player from the Academy would shine with a double key to his side’s victory.
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France qualify for the U-21 Euros ✅
For Wilfried Singo’s Ivory Coast, qualification is very close since they only need one point to validate their ticket. However, it is more complicated for Mohammed Salisu’s Ghana, who are five points behind Sudan, second, with two rounds to go in these qualifiers.
Let’s head to Europe and the Euro U-21 qualifiers where we will see the French team next summer. Led by a great Maghnes Akliouche (one goal, one assist), Les Espoirs finished among the best second-placed teams. Eliot Matazo’s Belgium, also second, will have to go through the play-offs next month.
A first and a great comeback made 🔙
These matches were also the opportunity for Kassoum Ouattara to make his big debut in this category. Coming on in the 66th minute against Austria with the French team, the left back made a great appearance and was close to finding the net on a shot across goal, only to see it stopped by the opposing goalkeeper.
For his part, Vanderson was back with Brazil, almost a year after his last cap. Although he did not participate in the 2-1 victory against Chile, the right-back played the entire game against Peru, which saw the Seleçao win 4-0 and move closer to the 2026 World Cup.
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Opposite destinies for Japan and Switzerland ☯️
It was also a good start for Takumi Minamino’s Japan. Thanks to a win against Saudi Arabia and a draw against Australia, the Blue Samurai are indeed first in their group with 10 points out of 12 possible. There was less success, however, for Breel Embolo and Philipp Köhn’s Switzerland in the Nations League, who are all but relegated to League B after a 0-2 defeat in Serbia and a 2-2 draw against Denmark. Note that our striker won a penalty against the Danes.
Goals and the armband for the Academy players 👶
Finally, in the Academy department, it was mainly friendly matches that were on the menu. It was an opportunity for Lucas Michal to score his first two goals in the French U20 team or for Ilies Belmokhtar, with the Morocco U17s, to score against Saudi Arabia. As for Samuel Nibombé, he was the captain of the Belgium U18s during their two matches against Saudi Arabia. Well done to everyone! 👏
