'Beautiful' - Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes buzzing as warning shot fired
Three of Newcastle United’s international stars were in action on Sunday night ahead of this month’s World Cup in North America.
Bruno Guimaraes helped Brazil to a 6-2 World Cup warm-up win over Panama at the Maracanã on Sunday evening.
The Newcastle captain started for his country but was withdrawn at half-time for his close friend Lucas Paqueta. Brazil led 2-1 at the time with goals from Vinicius Junior and Casemiro, while Panama’s goal via a Matheus Cunha own goal.
Paqueta made an impact in the second half with a goal and an assist for Danilo as Brazil ran riot. Bournemouth forward Rayan and Brentford’s Igor Thiago also got in on the action.
Carlos Harvey pulled back a late consolation for Panama, who will face England in their final World Cup group stage match on June 27. Brazil’s big victory was a pre-tournament warning shot fired to show they mean business heading into the tournament.
Guimaraes is set to play a key role for Brazil at what will be his second World Cup tournament after 2022. The five-time world champions have been drawn in a group alongside 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, Scotland and Haiti.
Following the win over Panama, Guimaraes took to Instagram to write (translated from Portuguese): “Great victory for the team and a beautiful celebration from our fans! Now on to the USA! Go Brazil!”
Next up for Brazil is their final pre-tournament friendly against Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday.
NUFC’s German duo in action
In addition to Brazil, Germany also head into the tournament expected to do well with Newcastle representation.
Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw are both in the Germany World Cup squad and started on the bench during the 4-0 win over Finland on Sunday evening. Thiaw remained an unused substitute while Woltemade replaced Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz in the 73rd minute.
Deniz Undav scored a brace, either side of a Wirtz goal before Jamal Musiala completed the scoring 10 minutes prior to Woltemade’s introduction. Undav’s start and brace could dent Woltemade’s hopes of playing a key role leading the line for Germany given Kai Havertz is also set to join up with the squad following the Champions League final with Arsenal.
Germany will now head to the United States to face the co-hosts in Chicago on Saturday before their World Cup tournament starts against minnows Curacao on June 14.
Other Newcastle United players in action
Anthony Elanga will be in action for Sweden against Norway in Oslo on Monday before facing Greece in Stockholm on Thursday. The winger is part of the Sweden squad going to the World Cup.
Also heading to the tournament is forward Yoane Wissa with DR Congo. He will be up against Denmark on Wednesday and Chile next Tuesday as part of DR Congo’s World Cup warm-up matches.
Dan Burn and Tino Livramento are Newcastle’s two representatives in the England squad after Lewis Hall missed out on a call-up and Anthony Gordon was sold to Barcelona. They face New Zealand on Saturday before playing Costa Rica in Orlando next Wednesday.
England have been drawn in a group with Croatia, Ghana and Panama as part of the expanded tournament.