With just four days left until Wolves restart their Premier League campaign at home to Newcastle United, Gary O'Neil's men will be gradually returning to the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground after their international exploits.
There were mixed fortunes over the break, from last-minute goals and full debuts to two matches sat on the bench and criticism from fans.
This is the full round-up of the 12 first-team players that were called up to represent their respective nations in the past week.
-
Individual Recap
Andre – Ecuador (H) Sep 6th, Paraguay (A) Sep 10th
Andre was a standout performer in Brazil’s 1-0 win over Ecuador, acting as a solid layer of protection ahead of the back four. The midfielder looked comfortable on the ball before being replaced by Wanderers teammate Joao Gomes.
Andre played the full 90 minutes in the Seleção’s second match, a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay in Asunción. On the ball, the midfielder showed just as much class as his prior performance, although was in more of a defensive battle in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Joao Gomes – Ecuador (H) Sep 6th, Paraguay (A) Sep 10th
Joao Gomes replaced Andre with five minutes to go in Brazil’s win over Ecuador, being introduced to play his normal game and break the play up. He was an unused substitute in the defeat to Paraguay.
Santiago Bueno – Paraguay (H) Sep 6th, Venezuela (A) Sep 9th
Santiago Bueno was recalled to the Uruguay squad for the first time in almost a year for the Copa America qualifiers. He received his third cap when introduced as a half-time substitute against Paraguay, putting in a calm defensive display as the game ended 0-0.
The 25-year-old would receive his fourth cap – and make his third international start in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw in Venezuela. In a game where the hosts had 20 attempts on goal, Bueno was called into action numerous times, making six clearances, two blocks and two tackles.
Yerson Mosquera – Peru (A) Sep 7th, Argentina (H) Sep 10th
Similarly to his Uruguayan teammate, Yerson Mosquera was recalled to the Colombian side for the first time since November 2023. The defender was an unused substitute in Colombia’s 1-1 draw against Peru but would make his full international debut against reigning world champions, Argentina, his fourth cap in total.
Just 25 minutes in, the centre-half nodded Colombia in front, rising highest to head home a James Rodriguez cross from close range. There was panic among fans as Mosquera was replaced in the latter stages of the match, being taken from the pitch via stretcher.
Matt Doherty – England (H) Sep 7th, Greece (H) Sep 10th
Matt Doherty started as a right-wing-back in Ireland’s 2-0 home defeat to England. The Irishman made his trademark forward runs down the wing, however did struggle with the pace of Anthony Gordon and was replaced before the hour.
The full-back was introduced in the 74th minute in Ireland’s 2-0 home defeat to Greece and was criticised by fans and pundits for his efforts while defending Greece’s second goal. Doherty was seen jogging back, leaving Christian Tzolis one-on-one with ex-Wolves man Nathan Collins before firing home to seal the win.
Jorgen Strand Larsen – Kazakhstan (A) Sep 6th, Austria (H) Sep 9th
Jorgen Strand Larsen was introduced in the 70th minute in Norway's tie with Kazakhstan. The striker failed to make an impact, only touching the ball three times in his 20 minutes on the pitch as the game finished 0-0.
He was an unused substitute in Norway’s 2-1 home win over Austria.
Jose Sa – Croatia (H) Sep 5th, Scotland (H) Sep 8th
Jose Sa was an unused substitute in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Croatia in Lisbon, as well as their home victory over Scotland.
Nelson Semedo – Croatia (H) Sep 5th, Scotland (H) Sep 8th
Nelson Semedo replaced former Wolves man Pedro Neto at half-time as Portugal looked to hold onto their lead against Croatia. Portugal and Semedo put in a controlling performance in the second-half before fending off a late Croatian rally.
Semedo would start Portugal’s second match of the break against Scotland. The visitors broke the deadlock early through a set-piece before Portugal’s quality eventually shone through in a 2-1 victory. The Wolves man, who was booked for an off-the-ball incident, was replaced by Diogo Dalot with 15 minutes to go.
Hee-Chan Hwang – Palestine (H) Sep 5th, Oman (A) Sep 10th
Hee-Chan Hwang was introduced just before the hour-mark in South Korea’s 0-0 draw with Palestine. The forward struggled to make an impact on the game, failing to get any shots at goal.
The forward would have a change of fortune in South Korea’s second game of the break, a 3-1 win away against Oman. Hwang put his nation ahead just 10 minutes in, receiving the ball in space 25-yards out from goal before finding the bottom corner with a powerful strike that bounced before the goalkeeper.
Carlos Forbs (U21) – Croatia (A) Sep 10th
Deadline day signing Carlos Forbs is yet to feature in O’Neil’s side, but did get on the scoresheet for Portugal’s Under-21 side during the break, rounding off the scoring in a 2-0 win over Croatia. The forward replaced the Wanderers-owned Fabio Silva with 10 minutes to go, before getting on the end of a Rodrigo Mora cross to tap home from two-yards out.
Rodrigo Gomes (U21) – Croatia (A) Sep 10th
Forbs’ Under-21’s counterpart Rodrigo Gomes started the game against Croatia at full-back, playing the full 90 minutes and contributing to a clean sheet for his side.
Pedro Lima (U20) – Mexico (H) Sep 5th, Mexico (H) Sep 8th
Pedro Lima joined up with Brazil’s Under-20’s squad for two friendly matches against Mexico. The right-back featured in both games, coming on as a substitute in the 53rd minute of their 2-1 win, before setting up the winning goal in stoppage time in their second match.
In what is becoming a trademark move, Lima headed for the byline before firing a ball across goal for Victor Roque to tap home, putting Brazil 3-2 up with seconds to play.
