International Magpie Roundup: Nov. 29

The World Cup has arrived and there are six Magpies playing in the group stages: Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope, and Callum Wilson for England, Garang Kuol is with Australia, Fabian Schar is part of the Swiss team, and Bruno plays for Brazil.

Here’s a recap of all that went on Tuesday, Nov. 29, with more updates to come in the following days as games keep getting played with the World Cup still in the group stages.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson, Nick Pope (England)

Match: ENG vs Wales (World Cup)

Gareth Southgate decided to make some changes in the last group-stage game for the Three Lions sending Kieran Trippier to the bench while keeping Jordan Pickford on the goal and Harry Kane at the top of the forward line. Such a shame not rotating all players, but what can we do?

That, of course, meant no starting calls for either Callum Wilson or Nick Pope. Pope sat out the whole game with Pickford getting the full 90 minutes for the third game in a row even though England bagged three more goals in a 3-0 victory over Wales on Tuesday.

The scoreboard stayed locked into a goalless draw until the 50th minute when Marcus Rashford opened it once and for all. One minute later Phil Foden (assisted by Kane) doubled that line with another goal, and Rashford earned himself a second score after a 68-minute effort on a Kalvin Phillips assist.

Callum Wilson entered the pitch by the 58th minute getting 32 rounds of playing time in which he operated mostly on the right of the pitch and its final third. He got to touch 15 balls completing five of six passes (two of them deemed key) while not succeeding in the lone dribble move he attempted.

Trippier got to the field in substitution of Luke Shaw by the 65th minute and played on the left instead of his better-known right flank. He was as good as ever blocking one shot, successfully completing the only tackle he attempted, winning one-of-one ground duels, and getting a perfect 15-of-15 on the passing game including a long ball thrown downfield.

England qualified first and will face Senegal in the WC Round of 16 next Sunday. Wales goes home with the United States of America into the knockout stages after defeating Iran by a score of 1-0.