Alexis Mac Allister continued his fine start to the season with Argentina on Wednesday night as the Liverpool midfielder helped the three-time World Champions to an emphatic friendly win over Bolivia.
Taking to the field for the first time since their summer World Cup final defeat to Spain, the match was also Argentina’s first without the legendary Lionel Messi after he announced his decision to retire from international football. But Lionel Scaloni’s team started their new era in style as they picked up an emphatic 4-0 win in Cordoba.
Mac Allister started the match in central midfield and set up Lautaro Martinez to open the scoring after just 19 minutes with a smart through-ball. Withdrawn in the 74th minute, the midfielder now boasts two goals and two assists from six starts for club and country so far this season.
Number 10 debate
Mac Allister wore his traditional number 20 international jersey for the game, but after earning rave reviews back in his homeland for his latest performance, Argentine media even suggested the Liverpool star should be the man to inherit Messi’s iconic number 10 shirt.
Argentinian outlet TyC Sports said of the midfielder: "The heart of the team, always well-positioned, always an option, always ready to create. A modern midfielder, constantly moving up and down the pitch, carrying the ball back and forth, participating and creating opportunities. In my opinion, he's the right man to wear the number 10 in the near future, just like he does at Liverpool."
Argentina had been blocked from retiring the number 10 shirt in honour of Messi, though were not required to allocate it for these international friendlies. With Messi being granted a farewell appearance in Buenos Aires when Argentina take on Burkina Faso on Saturday night, Scaloni has already confirmed the forward’s successor will not be decided until after the game.
"We aren't obligated to assign it for these matches, so we won't give it to anyone until Leo's farewell game," he explained. "The idea is for someone to eventually take it on, given how special it is to wear. We just haven't decided who yet."
Liverpool youngsters in action
While Mac Allister was the only Liverpool player in international action on Wednesday, Rio Ngumoha made history for England on Tuesday night. The teenager became the Three Lions’ third-youngest competitive debutant after being brought on in the 71st minute in their 2-0 victory over Czechia.
With his maiden showing coming just 31 days after his 18th birthday, only Wayne Rooney and Jude Bellingham have represented England in competitive matches at a younger age. The winger took to Instagram after the match to mark the occasion, writing: "Big win! Happy to make my competitive debut".
Victor Munoz was also in Nations League action on Tuesday as he came as a 68th-minute substitute for Spain in their 4-1 victory over Croatia. Elsewhere, Trey Nyoni claimed an assist for England Under-20s as they beat France 2-1 in the Euro Elite League, while Prince Cisse started for Wales Under-19s as they were beaten 2-0 by the USA.
Wirtz praise
Meanwhile, while Florian Wirtz was not in action for Germany, that did not stop him from coming in for special praise from Spain’s World and European champion coach, Luis de la Fuente, who revealed the Liverpool star is the one player from Jurgen Klopp’s ranks who he’d love to have in his own squad.
"[I'd have] Florian Wirtz! Incredible player," he said. "Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a Spanish passport. I really like the way he plays."
