International Round-Up: Brazil ease, England successful

Playing for 90 aims to bring you up-to-date news on transfers, fixtures, and clubs from around the world, including results and analysis on International teams England, Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Argentina.

England 2-0 Switzerland

For England’s Wayne Rooney, yesterday International fixture was one he will surely not forget. In his country’s 2-0 win over Switzerland, Rooney eclipsed Sir Bobby Charlton’s goalscoring record nabbing his 50th total with a penalty in the 84th minute. The Manchester United striker had equaled Charlton’s record with a penalty against San Marino and at just 29 years of age looks set to raise the bar for the future.

Charlton’s record had stood for over 45 years before the Merseysider broke it Tuesday evening. For a quick history lesson, Rooney became the youngest England international to score a goal in September of 2003 when he scored against Macedonia in a Euro 2004 qualifier. Fast forward exactly 12 years, 2 days, and 49 goals later, and he now owns the record solely in 1st place.

Harry Kane came off the bench to score first for the Three Lions, his second for his country in three appearances, and now is aiming to break Wayne Rooney’s record further on down the road. The major hitch in England game plan despite their win was Fabian Delph’s instant injury, a supposed hamstring problem forcing the midfielder off just thirty seconds into the match.

Brazil 4-1 USA

When substitute Danny Williams struck home with a bullet in stoppage time, it meant absolutely nothing in terms of the result.

Brazil were dominant the whole way through, at times ghosting through the midfield with ease and through the United States’ back line that was both experimental and fairly awful despite the quality of opposition.

First it was Hulk in the 9th minute after Willian coasted on the flank and whipped on a high ball towards the back post that ended up striking the actual post and bouncing into play right at the feet of the Zenit striker, who unleashed past Guzan. The 1-0 score would last until half, and though the United States didn’t look great going forward still had the hope of finding an equalizer, if only briefly.

The second half opened up with a clear Neymar penalty, followed by a Rafinha goal just over ten minutes later to all but ensure a Brazilian route in Boston. The Barcelona star (Neymar, not Rafinha, or not yet at least) even found a second after toying with the defense and beating Guzan at the near post.

Brazilians will be pleased with the victory after looking by and far the best in every position on the field, to be expected, and though the Americans were always going to struggle – the American Outlaws and other supporters should be discouraged by the way the team performed in the offensive half. After all, if it weren’t for Danny Williams’s brilliant (but somewhat lucky) strike, the U.S. would be looking at an abysmal evening and perhaps the worst of Jurgen Klinsmann’s tenure, if it wasn’t already.

Mexico 2-2 Argentina

Javier Hernandez, a.k.a. Chicharito put home a first-half penalty to encourage the home side into thinking they had a shot to beat the star-studded Argentinian side after new City signing Nicolas Otamendi chopped down his teammate inside the 18-yard box, and the home crowd was further encouraged by Hector Herrara’s finish in the 70th minute which doubled the Mexicans’ lead.

However, the home side appeared to count out Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi & co., and paid for their mistake.

El Tri began to collapse in the latter stages of the match, allowing an Aguero tap-in in the 85th minute following a cross from substitute Ezequiel Lavezzi. Then, Aguero provided the pass of the match to other Barcelona star Messi, who collected with his chest and slotted through the legs of keeper Moises Munoz to find the eventual equalizer.

The score would stand and the Argentinians earned their draw, however late the point came.

Check back to Playing for 90 for more recaps and updates.

Next: David De Gea's Collapsed Transfer a Blessing for Manchester United