Sunderland star makes World Cup history as Omar Alderete suffers nightmare and Wilson Isidor suffers heartbreak | OneFootball

Granit Xhaka made Swiss World Cup history as Sunderland’s quartet experienced mixed fortunes, with Wilson Isidor beaten, Chemsdine Talbi debuting and Omar Alderete enduring a heavy loss.

Sunderland Echo notes that four Sunderland players featured over the weekend, with Xhaka, Isidor, Talbi and Alderete all involved.

Xhaka captained Switzerland in their Group B opener against Qatar. Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty put them ahead, but Boualem Khoukhi headed a stoppage-time equaliser after Murat Yakin’s side failed to kill the game.

The midfielder won his 147th cap and, alongside Ricardo Rodriguez, set a national record with a 13th appearance at a major international tournament. Switzerland face Bosnia and Herzegovina next.

Talbi came on in the second half for his World Cup bow as Morocco drew 1-1 with Brazil at MetLife Stadium. Ismael Saibari scored first, then Vinicius Jr levelled before half-time.

Isidor started Haiti’s first World Cup match in 52 years, a 1-0 defeat to Scotland at Boston Stadium in Massachusetts. He played 76 minutes, John McGinn’s deflected strike after 28 minutes settling it, before Frantzdy Pierrot headed wide five minutes from time.

Alderete completed the 90 as Paraguay lost 4-1 to co-hosts the United States in Los Angeles. Damian Bobadilla’s own goal was followed by two from Folarin Balogun either side of half-time, Mauricio pulled one back, then Sunderland-born Gio Reyna struck late.

Haiti now face Brazil next Saturday at 1.30am BST, while Paraguay meet Türkiye in Group D.

Source: Sunderland Echo