Overnight Cristian Romero was in action for Argentina in their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying showdown at home to Chile, in a rematch of their second game in their successful Copa America campaign over the summer.
Romero played on the right of a back three, in the lesser spotted 352 under Lionel Scaloni, playing next to Nicolas Otamendi of Benfica and Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United. This is a role very familiar to Romero, who consistently played there for Spurs under Antonio Conte. He also played in a back three for Atalanta, where he was awarded Serie A defensive MVP, though that was mostly in the middle of a back three.
The Spurs defender recorded; three clearances, two interceptions, two tackles, 82 touches, 5/8 duels won, one foul drawn, and 1/1 dribbles, in a solid collective defensive performance from everyone.
The win for Argentina has taken them five points clear at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, though Uruguay in second does have a game in hand. That game will not be with Rodrigo Bentancur, nor any of the three games after that, however, as he has picked up a four-game international ban.
Spurs international watch: Perfect night for Tottenham defender
Romero has played in all seven of La Selección’s qualifying games, only conceding two goals, both in a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay, with six clean sheets altogether. This includes a 1-0 win away to Brazil, where the Spurs number 17 played a huge part, including a goal-line clearance.
Next up for Romero and Argentina is another qualifier against Colombia on Tuesday, with kick-off being 21:30 BST and 16:30 ET, in a rematch of the Copa America final. The final ended Colombia’s two-and-a-half-year unbeaten streak, and they will be hoping for more of the same.
Cuti could come up against former defensive colleague Davinson Sanchez in this game, as well as in November when Spurs showdown against Galatasaray in the Europa League.
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Helen Ward shares Brennan Johnson criticism as Tottenham player struggles for Wales v Turkiye
Tottenham Hotspur winger Brennan Johnson was in international action for Wales on Friday night as they took on Turkiye in the Nations League.
The Tottenham forward has been a regular for the Dragons since making his debut in 2020, clocking up 28 caps to date.
Johnson was named in Craig Bellamy’s starting XI and played the full 90 minutes, but he struggled to make much of an impact in the 0-0 draw.
As per Sofascore, the Spurs man attempted four crosses and one long ball, but failed to hit the target with any of his deliveries. He also lost possession 11 times.
Wales icon Helen Ward picked up on the Tottenham attacker’s delivery struggles during the game.
Helen Ward says Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson has to be ‘more cultured with his crossing’
Ward, speaking on BBC Radio Wales, said Johnson “looks a bit raw tonight” and urged him to be more composed when whipping balls in.
“Brennan Johnson has to be a bit more cultured with his crossing, he’s blasted that across the face of goal,” said the 105-cap Wales legend.
“He’s got bundles of talent, but he looks a bit raw tonight.”
