Nayef Aguerd in action for Morocco against Brazil

International Round-up: Aguerd helps Morocco to win over Paquetá's Brazil

Two West Ham United stars went head-to-head in international friendly action on Saturday night - and it was Nayef Aguerd's Morocco who were able to celebrate a famous 2-1 victory over Paquetá's Brazil.

Morocco, who reached the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in December, maintained their momentum on a memorable victory in Tangier.

Aguerd and Paquetá both started the contest, with the centre-back winning his 31st cap for the Atlas Lions and Paquetá making his 40th appearance in Brazil's famous Yellow and Blue.

Morocco soon gave their home crowd plenty to cheer, with former Southampton winger Sofiane Boufal giving his side a 29th minute lead.

Brazil equalised midway through the second half through Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, but Morocco had the final say, as Sampdoria attacker Abdelhamid Sabiri notched the winner eleven minutes from time.

Paquetá in action for Brazil against Morocco

Elsewhere on Saturday, Thilo Kehrer was a late substitute in Germany's 2-0 friendly victory against Peru in Mainz.

Germany are hosting next summer's UEFA Euro 2024, so do not need to qualify, and Kehrer helped preserve a clean sheet in their first preparatory match,.

Werder Bremen striker Niclas Füllkrug had earlier notched a double to give his nation the platform for victory.

Kehrer now has 25 caps for Die Mannschaft to his name.

Back on these shores, Ben Johnson came off the bench to earn his fifth England U21 cap in their impressive 4-0 friendly win against France.

Johnson made his entrance with 12 minutes left and the score at 2-0, with Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe and Chelsea's Noni Madueke giving the Young Lions the advantage.

Late strikes by Curtis Jones, of Liverpool, and Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey completed the rout.

At the other age groups, Divin Mubama was unable to prevent England U19 from falling to a 1-0 defeat to Iceland in the UEFA U19 European Championship qualifying elite round.

England will now need a positive result in their final group game against Hungary, and hope Iceland slip up when they face Turkey, to reach this summer's finals in Malta.

In the same tournament, Callum Marshall was on target from the spot as Northern Ireland U19 slipped to a 3-1 defeat to Romania. 

With two defeats from two, Northern Ireland can no longer qualify for the finals.

At U17 level, England and Northern Ireland faced off in qualifying for the UEFA U17 European Championship finals.

Josh Briggs started for Northern Ireland, who were defeated 2-0 by a second half brace from Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri. Finlay Herrick was an unused substitute for England, who are in pole position to qualify for the finals in Estonia, holding a two-point lead over the Netherlands ahead of Tuesday's meeting between the teams.

 

Image removed.