Fernandez grabbed his sixth goal in 39 appearances for Argentina during the country's 2-1 win over Mauritania in Buenos Aires.

Argentina struggled to produce their best form against a country ranked 115th in the world but took the lead on 17 minutes when right-back Nahuel Molina crossed and Fernandez arrived into the box to apply the finish from close to the penalty spot.

La Bombonera doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark when Nico Paz's left-footed free-kick beat the Mauritania goalkeeper.

Argentina had been forced to find a new opponent after their Finalissima against European champions Spain in Qatar had been called off due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Mauritania produced a spirited display and grabbed a consolation to show for their efforts during injury time when Jordan Lefort scored following a sliced effort from one of his team-mates.

Elsewhere, Palmer came off the bench 10 minutes into the second half as England hosted Uruguay in the first of two Wembley friendlies during this international break, the second coming against Japan on Tuesday.

The scores were tied at 0-0 when the Chelsea forward was introduced, but he soon set about changing that with his incisive delivery, only to see Dominic Calvert-Lewin somehow head his dangerous set-piece off target with the goal gaping.

Following his next delivery, this time from a corner, Ben White couldn’t miss, though, as the defender put England into the lead from virtually on the goal line. It wasn’t to be a home win for the Three Lions, though, as White then went up the other end and conceded an injury-time penalty, converted by Federico Valverde to make the final score 1-1.

Marc Cucurella played the full 90 minutes at left-back as European champions Spain underlined their status us one of the favourites going into the 2026 World Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 friendly victory over Serbia in Villarreal.

The Spaniards rushed into a comfortable two-goal lead by half-time, with Mikel Oyarzabal smashing in two stunning powerful drives to establish the home side’s dominance.

That lead never looked in danger, as Victor Munoz came off the bench to net a third for Spain on his international debut, and continue the team’s ominous form approaching this summer’s tournament. They will be at home again on Tuesday, hosting Egypt in Cucurella’s former home Barcelona.

A second friendly in Spain, over in Madrid at the Metropolitano, saw Moises Caicedo feature throughout Ecuador’s 1-1 draw with Morocco.

There were plenty of chances at either end during the first half, including one Caicedo free-kick headed over by Gonzalo Plata from five yards, and the Chelsea midfielder going close himself with an effort from range, but it wasn’t until shortly after half-time that John Yeboah fired Ecuador into the lead.

Ecuador rode their luck as they attempted to hold on to that advantage, with Morocco’s Neil El Aynaoui having a penalty saved by Hernan Galindez and VAR ruling out a Mohamed Hrimat goal. Kendry Paez – on loan from Chelsea at River Plate – came off the bench to replace the injured Yeboah as the South Americans tried to hold on. The Moroccan pressure eventually told, though, as El Aynaoui headed in the equaliser with two minutes remaining.

Jorrel Hato was an unused substitute as the Netherlands defeated Norway 2-1 in Amsterdam. He will get another chance to be involved when the Dutch host Caicedo’s Ecuador on Tuesday evening.

Earlier in the night, Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George - currently on loan at Everton - were part of the England Under-21s' starting XI as they travelled to Andorra in qualifying for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

It was Acheampong who went closest to opening the scoring during a goalless first half, heading narrowly wide from a corner.

However, Andorra took a shock lead shortly after the break and closed ranks, leaving England to pour forward in search of an equaliser. It didn't arrive until the final minute, when Jobe Bellingham was fouled in the area and Rico Lewis tucked away the penalty, salvaging a point at the end. Despite that set-back, England remain unbeaten in qualifying and top of their group.

Jimmy-Jay Morgan's excellent 2025/26 campaign continued. The forward, impressing on loan with Peterborough United, was named in England Under-20s' starting line-up for their 3-3 draw with Italy.

The Young Lions had led 3-0 after Thomas Watson's first-half brace - which came either side of Finlay Herrick saving an Italian penalty - and Ayden Heaven's header just before the hour mark.

However, goals from Matteo Lavelli, Giacomo Stabile and Dominic Vavasorri - the latter's coming with just two minutes remaining - helped Italy secure a draw in Rome.

Morgan was replaced on 69 minutes, with the score still 3-1, as part of a six-man substitution, Chelsea Academy defender Harrison Murray-Campbell one of those to come on.