Final day of the International Break: Real Madrid Round Up

Today, Tuesday the 6th of October marked the final day of this long and drawn out international break, with Real Madrid and club football finally returning this weekend. 

Still, it has overall been a fun break, with plenty to talk about. Let's round things off by recapping the final day of games for Los Blancos players. 

Jude Bellingham's England played their fourth and final game of this break in the UEFA Nations League, with a home game against Czechia at Wembley. In their previous outing, the Real Madrid man had scored, registered three assists and put in an incredible display in a 7-0 win away to Croatia. 

For this one, the 23-year old was named in the starting XI for a third time in this window, despite talk that he could be rested. Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold was also named in the starting XI, for the second time this break, having been an unused sub in the games with Spain and Czechia. 

After a pretty mundane start to the game, England took the lead after 27 minutes. A great driving run through the middle from Alexander-Arnold saw him pick out Harry Kane down the right, who forced an own goal with his cross. 

In the end, England would run out 3-0 winners. Bellingham played 73 minutes, with his shot from very close range (that he may feel like he could have done better with) forcing a corner that lead to the third goal. Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold played the full 90.#

Both of their breaks are now over, and they will return to Madrid. 

Meanwhile, in the same group, Spain faced Croatia at home. Having been rotated out of the side against Czechia, Marc Cucurella was named in the starting XI, whilst Dean Huijsen was on the bench for the second game in a row. 

Despite having been drafted into the senior squad to replace the injured Ferran Torres, Carlos Espi was for the second consecutive time left out of the match day squad by manager Luis de La Fuente.

Considering he was fresh off scoring four goals and registering two assists for the U21 side, and the fact they had a game to qualify for the U21 Euros next summer, that Espi no doubt would have loved to be a part of, this feels particularly harsh and a little unfair on the young man. But ah well, such is life. 

Having surprisingly conceded the first goal, the World Cup winners came from a goal down to make it 2-1. Cucurella played the whole game, whilst Huijsen was an unused sub. Both players will now return to Madrid. 

As for the group, Spain are top with four wins from four, whilst England are second, with three wins and a defeat from four. The two teams will face each other on match day six in the November international break. The winner will win the group.