Spurs international watch: Tough night for defender

To conclude the first day of international fixtures during this final break of the year, and fixtures for Tottenham Hotspur players, defender Cristian Romero was in action for Argentina, who travelled to Paraguay for match day eleven of their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaign.

Despite manager Lionel Scaloni opting to play a back three of late, he went with a back four for this one, and had Romero partnering the veteran Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the Argentina backline. 10 of the 11 players starting this game, including Romero, started the 2022 World Cup final against France in Qatar.

Argentina took the lead a little over ten minutes in, thanks to Lautaro Martinez. There was a long VAR check, but the goal ended up standing, and Romero’s side had an early lead in the game.

However, it would be short lived, as twenty minutes into the game, Paraguay equalised, courtesy of a bicycle kick. Some PTSD for Romero from the defeat to Ipswich Town last weekend, no doubt.

Tough game for Cristian Romero, collectively and personally

The sides went into the break at a goal a piece. Argentina had around 70% of the ball, but found it hard to break down the deep, stubborn, Paraguay shape.

For the second half, Romero did not come out, with discomfort cited as the reason, as he was relaced by Leonardo Balerdi. In his absence, Argentina would concede again just two minutes into the second half, which would prove to be the final goal of the game, as they fell to an embarrassing and shock defeat.

Despite this loss, La Albiceleste remain top of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, with 22 points from their 11 games so far, and a +13 goal difference.

Should he be able to recover from this discomfort, then next up for Romero and his Argentine counterparts is another CONEMBOL World Cup qualifier, as they host Peru for match day twelve. The game will kick off at 00:00 on Wednesday morning, so an even later kick off than this one.

With a long, 14+ hour flight afterwards, to go along with likely another 90 minutes in the legs, it could be touch and go for Romero when it comes to Spurs' game against Manchester City on the 23rd, particularly after the discomfort felt in this game. Certainly one to keep an eye on over the rest of this international break.