Sandro Tonali return to the San Siro goes badly wrong | OneFootball

Sandro Tonali returned to the San Siro for the first time since his almost year-long suspension ended.

However, it went badly wrong.

After only two minutes Italy conceded from a corner, as Adrien Rabiot headed home.

Then another set-piece saw the home crowd stunned on 33 minutes, as Lucas Digne’s free-kick hit the post but then rebounded into the net off keeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Italy hit straight back when Andrea Cambiaso made it 2-1 only 90 seconds later.

However, Italy then undone by yet another set-piece, this time Rabiot heading home from a free-kick on 67 minutes.

Moise Kean could/should have reduced it to 3-2 in added time, however, Maignan saved.

That goal made all the difference, deciding that France topped this Nations League group and not Italy.

Both teams finished on 13 points and an equal head to head record, France finishing top on goal difference by one goal.

Sandro Tonali and Italy didn’t actually play that badly in open play, with 54%, more shots (10 v 6), France though getting three goals despite only four efforts on target.

Italy made five subs but Sandro Tonali played the full match, pointing to the fact the Newcastle United midfielder hadn’t been one of the weakest links for Italy.

All of the last six goals conceded by Italy have come from set pieces, pointing to what appears to be their main weakness.

This is the November 2024 international schedule for Newcastle United players:

Thursday 14 November

Greece 0 England 3

Anthony Gordon was one of eight changes, some due to the ‘injury’ desertions from the squad, some not. Harry Kane dropped and England looking all the better for it, as his replacement Ollie Watkins scored after only seven minutes in a flowing move.

United keeper Vlachodimos was probably Greece’s best player with some good saves and was very unlucky when Bellingham’s shot hit the post and rebounded off the keeper into the net. England though fully deserving of their eventual 3-0 winning margin, Jones scoring a sublime backheel flick for the third. Tino Livramento was an unused sub but Lewis Hall made his first England appearance, playing the second half and looking very good, the team looking far better balanced with him on the left. Everybody played well really, including Anthony Gordon, he played until 66 minutes in when Carsley made three attacking changes.

Belgium 0 Italy 1

Sandro Tonali man of the match and scoring the winning goal!

An excellent performance from the Newcastle midfielder as Italy deservedly won this Nations League group match. Sandro Tonali playing the full game.

Venezuela 1 Brazil 1

Bruno Guimaraes couldn’t quite drag Brazil over the line in this South American World Cup group qualifier.

Brazil dominated the first half with the Newcastle midfielder at the heart of much of their best play, however, the attacking players once again let them down. Chance after chance went begging until Raphinha scored an excellent free-kick in the 43rd minute.

One up at half-time but it should have been two or three, Brazil paying for it when Segovia equalised just a minute after the break. Bruno Guimaraes subbed in the 82nd minute and can be more than happy with his own personal contribution but this is a match that Brazil should have won.

Paraguay 2 Argentina 1

This was no fluke, as Miguel Almiron and Paraguay deservedly won their latest South American World Cup group qualifier.

When Martinez put Argentina ahead after only 11 minutes it looked like a long night in prospect for the home side.

However, Paraguay came back at them and a brilliant Sanabria overhead kick levelled things on 19 minutes, then a headed winner from a free-kick by Alderete won it, two minutes after the break. After that opening goal, Paraguay didn’t allow Argentina another shot on target in the entire match.

Miguel Almiron was his usual energetic self for Paraguay and put in a great shift, eventually subbed off in the 90th minute as Paraguay ran the clock down.

Sweden 2 Slovakia 1

A man of the match performance from Alexander Isak, topped off by an assist for the opening goal (scored by Gyokeres) and then scoring the winner just after the break. Martin Dubravka can be happy with his own personal contribution and he was one of Slovakia’s best performers. The result guarantees that Sweden finish top of their Nations League group and Slovakia second, the final group games on Tuesday.

Sunday 17 November

England 5 Republic of Ireland 0

A great night for Newcastle United, as Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento all started for England, the first time in over 27 years that an NUFC trio all started for the Three Lions.

All three Newcastle players can be pleased with their contributions to this Nations League victory. The two Newcastle defenders getting their very first starts, whilst Anthony Gordon getting his very first goal, which came from a Tino cross.

With five wins it meant England topped their Nations League group.

Italy 1 France 3

Sandro Tonali and his teammates undone by three set-pieces in this Nations League defeat. The result left Italy second top in the final table, the same number of points as France and equal on head to head, just losing out on goal difference by one goal.

A disappointing return to the San Siro for the NUFC midfielder but with all five subs used, Sandro Tonali stayed on until the end, pointing to the fact he hadn’t been one of the weakest links. Italy actually had more possession (54%) and more shots (10 v 6) but were undone by those set-pieces, France having four efforts on target and managing to score three goals.

Tuesday 19 November

Sweden v Azerbaijan (Alexander Isak) Nations League

Bolivia v Paraguay (Miguel Almiron) World Cup group qualifier

Brazil v Uruguay (Bruno Guimaraes) World Cup group qualifier