Jackson and Senegal qualify for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

10/16/2024 03:08 AM

Wrapping up the international break

All games of this international break are now in the books, with a busy Tuesday providing plenty of action for our players — including for Nicolas Jackson, who started once again for Senegal. They only needed a point to confirm their participation in next year's Africa Cup of Nations, and that's precisely what they got in a goalless draw against Malawi, whom they beat 4-0 just a few days prior. Jackson scored in that game, his first ever senior international goal; no such luck this time around.

Still, Senegal have thus booked their place in Morocco for the tournament, which unfortunately will take place right over the holiday period next year (2025). They've been trying to move AfCon to the summer for a while now, but have been thwarted by organizational and climate issues, not to mention FIFA expanding the Club World Cup and moving it to the summer as well.

Elsewhere, Marc Cucurella was back in the starting lineup for Spain as they took care of business against Serbia, 3-0, with Álvaro Morata missing a penalty, too. Robert Sánchez went an unused substitute, just as Renato Veiga did for Portugal, who failed to score against Scotland. Pedro Neto got the day off while João Félix made a late cameo as Scotland broke a string of four straight defeats — though Steve Clarke & Co remain winless in their last eight, and have just one win in their last 16 matches. Our former defender's future as Scotland manager is starting to come under increasing pressure and doubt.

Over on the other side of the world, Lionel Messi turned back the clock with a hat-trick and two-assist performance against Bolivia in Argentina's 6-0 win in World Cup qualification. Enzo Fernández played the full-90, which isn't ideal.

Speaking of workload, Moisés Caicedo put in his second full-length shift of the break in Ecuador'a second consecutive 0-0 draw, this time against Uruguay, away. Kendry Páez was an unused sub despite the need for goals.

In any case, looks like no one picked up any new injuries, so let's declare this international break a success, and get back work!