Balbuena start ends in defeat
The central defender made the longest journey of any West Ham player, travelling 6,000 miles to Kashima, where Paraguay lost 2-0 to Japan this morning. From there, the defender is off to the Middle East, where the South Americans tackle Jordan in Amman.
Elsewhere new Hammers striker Albian Ajeti earned his eighth cap for Switzerland as a late substitute in Thursday’s 1-1 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying Group D draw with Republic of Ireland. Josh Cullen was an unused substitute for Ireland in the same game.
Sead Haksabanovic, who is on loan to Swedish Allsvenskan side Norrkoping made his first full debut for Montenegro.
The on-loan attacking midfielder started his country’s 2-1 friendly win over Hungary in Podgorica, playing the first 71 minutes before being replaced on what was his fifth cap.
West Ham summer signing Goncalo Cardoso who is part of the Portugal U20 squad was an unused substitute in which his team came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Switzerland in a friendly played at the Centro de Estagios de Melgaço.