Ten FC Barcelona were called into international duty this past week, and although the March international break isn´t a popular one with clubs or players, let’s take a look at how they fared.
Lamine Yamal-Spain v Holland 2 legs (5-5/5-4 Penalties)-UEFA Nations League
Lamine didn´t have his best two matches for Spain against Holland, but did provide one of the best goals of the international break, a 103rd minute strike that put Spain in the lead. He followed in penalties with a dismal attempt, but luckily Spain still prevailed.
Ferran Torres- Spain v Holland 2 legs (5-5/5-4 Penalties)-UEFA Nations League
Torres didn´t feature in the 1st leg but came on in the 69th minute in the 2nd and played well, including a penalty in the shootout to help Spain to victory.
Pedri- Spain v Holland 2 legs (5-5/5-4 Penalties)-UEFA Nations League
Pedri continues to be the centerpiece of both FC Barcelona and Spain. He played 66 minutes in the first leg, assisting Nico Williams on Spain´s first goal. In the 2nd leg he came on in the 84th minute and scored the decisive penalty sending Spain to the Nations League semifinals.
Pau Cubarsi- Spain v Holland 2 legs (5-5/5-4 Penalties)-UEFA Nations League
Cubarsi suffered an ankle injury in the 41st minute of the 1st leg and looks to be out for at least for Thursday´s match against Osasuna and possibly longer.
Dani Olmo- Spain v Holland 2 legs (5-5/5-4 Penalties)-UEFA Nations League
Olmo came on for Pedri in the 66th minute of the 1st leg and played well setting himself up to start the 2nd leg where he played 84 strong minutes.
Raphina-Brazil v Colombia (2-1) / v Argentina Wednesday-CONMEBOL WC Qualifiers
Raphina continues to put himself into the Ballon de Oro conversation, recording a goal and assist in Brazil´s 2-1 victory over Colombia, earning him Man of the Match honors. He remains with Brazil for Tuesday´s clash with Argentina and will miss the Osasuna match on Thursday.
Robert Lewandowski-Poland v Lithuania (1-0) / v Malta (2-0)-UEFA Nations League
Lewandowski scored the decisive goal in Poland´s 1-0 win over Lithuania in the 81st minute, and came on in the 66th minute to help secure a 2-0 win over Malta.
Ronald Araujo-Uruguay v Argentina (0-1) / v Bolivia Tuesday-CONMEBOL WC Qualifiers
Araujo played 90 strong minutes against a Messi-less Argentina squad and will miss FC Barcelona´s Osasuna match Thursday for Uruguay´s matchup with Bolivia.
Jules Kounde-France v Croatia 2 legs (5-5/5-4 Penalties)-UEFA Nations League
Kounde played 90 minutes in the 1st leg and not particularly well but returned for the 2nd leg with a great match, although he missed his penalty, and helped France move onto the semifinals.
Frenkie de Jong- Holland v Spain 2 legs (5-5/4-5 Penalties)-UEFA Nations League
Frenkie played 2 very good matches against Spain and at times dominated the midfield. de Jong played 73 minutes in the 1st leg and came off in the 106th minute in the 2nd leg and didn´t feature in penalties.