Matheus Cunha marked his first start for Brazil in over two years by scoring his first senior international goal – but he could not stop his country falling to defeat against rivals Argentina.
The forward, starting in the number 10 position for his country, has not been called up for Brazil since October 2023, but celebrated his return with a goal which unfortunately for the 25-year-old turned out to just be a consolation for the Selecao.
Cunha was one of several Wolves players who have been in international action this week and wolves.co.uk rounds-up all the action featuring Vitor Pereira’s squad during the last few days.
Matheus Cunha, Andre & Joao Gomes | Argentina 4-1 Brazil
Cunha’s first Brazil goal on 26 minutes came with his side already two goals behind in Buenos Aires, with the Wolves forward capitalising on some slack passing in the Argentinian defence before slotting his finish past former Molineux stopper Emi Martinez. Joining Cunha in the Brazil starting 11 for their country’s World Cup qualification clash was Old Gold midfielder Andre, while club teammate Joao Gomes also came off the bench at half time, meaning three Wolves stars played together in a Brazil side for the first time in history. However, two further Argentine goals either side of the break meant the hosts celebrated booking their place at next summer’s World Cup in style, while Brazil drop down to fourth in the CONCACAF table, with just the top six guaranteed a spot.
Marshall Munetsi | Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe
Wearing the captain’s armband once again for Zimbabwe in their World Cup qualifier away in Nigeria, Marshall Munetsi’s side found themselves behind with just 15 minutes to go following Victor Osimhen’s third goal of the qualification campaign, but Zimbabwe fought back valiantly, and earned themselves a point thanks to Wolves loanee Tawanda Chirewa. Currently away from Molineux with Huddersfield Town, the forward was picked out in the Nigeria box before getting himself in on goal and firing a shot into the far corner to give Zimbabwe a glimmer of hope of reaching next summer’s World Cup – although it will be a uphill task with the side currently bottom of CAF Qualification Group C with four matches remaining.
Rayan Ait-Nouri | Algeria 5-1 Mozambique
Another Wolves man in Africa’s World Cup qualification campaign this week was Rayan Ait-Nouri, and after putting three past Botswana earlier in the current international window, Algeria went even better on Tuesday evening with a 5-1 win at home to Mozambique. Playing as a left-back for his country, Ait-Nouri lasted the entire 90 minutes as his left-sided teammate Mohamed Amoura netted a hat-trick, to secure Algeria’s place at the top of the CAF Qualification Group G table.
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— Équipe d'Algérie de football (@LesVerts) March 25, 2025
🇩🇿 🆚 🇲🇿#LesVerts⭐⭐ | #123vivalAlgérie🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/cWuCOE1WIk
Nasser Djiga | Guinea-Bissau 1-2 Burkina Faso
After having to settle for a place on the bench in the first of two World Cup qualifiers for Burkina Faso this week, Nasser Djiga was back in the starting line-up for his country’s CAF Group A clash away in Guinea-Bissau. Playing the whole 90 minutes at centre-back, Djiga helped his country to a 2-1 victory which puts them into second place in their qualification group after six matches played, but five points behind the undefeated Egypt who top the standings.
Elsewhere
Carlos Forbs found the net for Portugal under-21s on Monday evening as his side fell to a 4-2 defeat to England at The Hawthorns. Both Portugal goals were scored by Wolves players at the home of their Black Country rivals as Old Gold loanee Fabio Silva – currently plying his trade in La Liga with Las Palmas – scored his side’s first goal, while Rodrigo Gomes was an unused substitute.
Fabio and Forbs getting the goals for @selecaoportugal U21s 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/MvNaXSCimy
— Wolves (@Wolves) March 25, 2025
Hee Chan Hwang and South Korea were also hoping to book their place at the World Cup during this international period, but after a 1-1 draw to Oman last week – in which the Wolves forward scored for his country – Korea could only manage the same scoreline once again on Tuesday, but this time against Jordan, with Hwang playing the opening 68 minutes. Despite the draw, Korea remain top of AFC Group B – three points ahead of Jordan – with just two qualifiers remaining.
Santiago Bueno was left out of Uruguay’s 23-man squad for their goalless draw against Bolivia in the early hours of Wednesday morning as his county participated in World Cup qualifying. Currently third in the South American standings, Bueno will hope to be back in the side for their remaining qualifiers.
