Chelsea Players in World Cup Action: An Update From Tuesday

Whilst there is a lot of focus from Chelsea fans on what is a crucial summer transfer window under new manager Xabi Alonso, there is still a lot of focus and attention on this summer's FIFA World Cup in North America, especially when there are Blues in action. 

Well, on Tuesday, there were four players in action, if you include the game that kicked off at 02:00 BST on Wednesday. Let's take a look at how things went. 

At 20:00, perhaps the most anticipated game of the tournament so far alongside Brazil vs Morocco took place, as Malo Gusto's France took on Mamadou Sarr and Nicolas Jackson's Senegal in Group I. 

In terms of the starting XI's, Sarr was named on the bench, and therefore did not play alongside former Chelsea players Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy. However, Jackson did lead the line. Gusto was also on the bench. 

 In the first half, Senegal were really good. Jackson was playing very well, linking the play. After 25 minutes, he latched onto a ball and showed great skill to isolate his man, before firing a left footed shot off the post. Sadly for them, they couldn’t make their dominance count and it was goalless at the break.

Then, in the second half, they were made to pay. France would go 2-0 up, and although Senegal got one back, Les Blues scored again to make it 3-1 within 60 seconds in a sucker punch of the highest order.

As for the individuals, Jackson played 83 minutes, whilst Gusto and Sarr remained unused subs. Chelsea legend, Ngolo Kante, was also an unused substitute. The French are second in the group, after Norway thrashed Iraq, whilst as a result of that game, Senegal sit in third place. 

Next up for France is a clash with Iraq on Monday at 22:00. Meanwhile, Senegal play Norway in what should be a very exciting and interesting showdown on Tuesday at 01:00. Go well, lads. 

Later on, at 02:00 BST, Enzo Fernandez and defending champions Argentina were in action, as they began their defence against Algeria. As usual, the Chelsea midfielder was named in the starting XI by manager Lionel Scaloni, winning cap number 43 at just 24 years of age.

Both teams traded disallowed goals in the first ten minutes, but it would be Argentina who soon got on top, thanks to an outside the box strike from Lionel Messi. The 38-year old added two goals in the second half to get his hat-trick and win the game 3-0 for Argentina, as the greatest of all time went level with Miroslav Klose on 16 as the World Cup's record goalscorers. 

As for Fernandez, who continues to be linked with a move away, he played the full 90 minutes. Next up for Argentina