Enzo Fernández scores in Argentina win

Madrid—When the intercontinental showpiece “Finalissima” was scrapped because of security concerns in Qatar, Argentina and Spain were left to fill the void with hastily arranged friendlies. La Roja obliged by coasting past Serbia 3-0 at the Estadio Nuevo Arcángel in Córdoba, yet the headline act 500 kilometres north at the Metropolitano came from the world champions.

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández marked 59 minutes of work with the opening goal in Argentina’s 2-1 victory over Mauritania, continuing the most prolific scoring season of his professional career. Stationed at the edge of the six-yard box, the 23-year-old timed his arrival perfectly to side-foot home the finish that settled any early nerves and set Lionel Scaloni’s side on course for a low-key but useful win.

Spain, meanwhile, leaned on full-back Marc Cucurella for the entire contest as Luis de la Fuente’s experimental XI subdued a blunt Serbia. The left-back’s energy down the flank mirrored the industry shown by Fernández at the other venue, underscoring why both players remain central to their nations’ plans despite the cancellation of the glamour tie.

Elsewhere, England were held 1-1 by Uruguay at Wembley, where Chelsea’s Cole Palmer emerged from the bench to provide the creative spark that nearly clinched victory. A pinpoint cross from the 21-year-old should have been converted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and although the chance went begging, Three Lions coach Thomas Tuchel took heart from Palmer’s resurgence.

“We saw good data lately,” Tuchel noted in the build-up. “For the first time in a long time I had the feeling his stride was back to the original lengths… he is back to full confidence and we see it in training.”

With a World Cup looming this summer, both Fernández and Palmer will hope the weekend’s encouraging cameos are stepping-stones to bigger stages than the friendlies that replaced the ill-fated Finalissima.