Vargas makes quick impact as Mbabu heads home

International Round-Up

It’s just over a week until this summer’s European Championships get underway in Munich. While Ruben Vargas continues to show impressive form for Switzerland, Kevin Mbabu’s dreams of appearing at the tournament appear to be over for the time being.

Mbabu, who was not in the squad for his nation’s 4-0 friendly victory over Estonia on Tuesday, was withdrawn from the squad by coach Murat Yakin on Wednesday. The 29-year-old remains on the standby list and could return to the squad should any player need to withdraw. Each of the nations competing in the finals has until midnight (CEST) on Friday to submit their 26-man squad for the tournament.

Ruben Vargas, meanwhile, came on as a substitute at half-time against Estonia and quickly set to work securing victory against his side’s Baltic opponents, setting up Zeki Amdouni’s goal scarcely two minutes into the half. Vargas has been directly involved in eight goals in his last ten internationals, and will be looking to continue his impressive form into Switzerland’s final pre-tournament friendly against Austria on Saturday (18:00 CEST).

Engels in the squad for the first time

Arne Engels has spent time with the Belgian senior team at their pre-tournament training camp this week, and the 20-year-old was named in a matchday squad for the first time in the Red Devils’ 2-0 defeat of Montenegro. Engels remained on the bench throughout, however, and will have to wait a while longer for his debut. Belgium are next in action on Saturday as they face Luxembourg at the Stade Roi Baudouin.

Ermedin Demirović and his Bosnian team-mates will not be taking part in EURO 2024, but were still in friendly action as they travelled to Newcastle as part of England’s preparations to the tournament. Demirović was substituted on 74 minutes as the Three Lions ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.