Three Yellows shine with their countries

Cazorla, Funes Mori and Chukwueze participated in matches with their respective national teams

Three of the Villarreal’s six players on international duty have shone for their for their respective national teams over the past few days. Cazorla, Funes Mori and Chukwueze participated in matches with Spain, Argentina and Nigeria. Toko Ekambi did not step on the pitch in Cameroon’s victory over Zambia (2-1).

Santi Cazorla started and played the full 90 minutes against the Faroe Islands which ended in a 1-4 win for the ‘Roja’. The Yellows midfielder really shone on his return to the Spain national team, showing just how quality a player he is. Cazorla was also the captain in the second half when Sergio Ramos was substituted.

For his part, defender Funes Mori came on in the 73^rd minute for Argentina, who ended up beating Nicaragua 5-1. Last but not least, Samu Chukwueze was part of the Nigeria starting eleven that drew 0-0 with Zimbabwe. The tricky winger played for 74 minutes of the game.

Over the next week, our Yellows on international duty will play matches all over the world, so make sure to support them wherever they are.

The matches Villarreal players will be involved in are the following (time in Spain):

Santi Cazorla (Spain)

Euro 2020 qualifiers:

• Faroe Islands vs Spain (1-4).
• Spain vs Sweden: Monday 10^th June, 8:45pm at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Spain).

Pablo Fornals and Alfonso Pedraza (Spain U21)

European U21 Championships group stage:

• Italy vs Spain: Sunday 16^th June, 9pm at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara (Italy).
• Spain vs Belgium: Wednesday 19^th June, 6:30pm at the MAPEI Stadium (Italy).
• Spain vs Poland: Saturday 22^nd June, 9pm at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara (Italy).

Ramiro Funes Mori (Argentina)

Copa América preparatory match:

• Argentina vs Nicaragua (5-1).

Copa América group stage (Group B):

• Argentina vs Colombia: Sunday 16^th June, at 12am, at the Arena Fontenova (Brazil).
• Argentina-Paraguay: Thursday 20^th June, at 2:20am, at the Mineirao (Brazil).
• Catar-Argentina: Sunday 23^rd June, at 9pm, at the Arena do Gremio (Brazil). 

Samu Chukwueze (Nigeria)

Africa Cup of Nations preparatory matches:

• Nigeria vs Zimbabwe: Saturday 8^th June, 6pm at the Stephen Keshi Stadium (Nigeria).
• Senegal vs Nigeria: Sunday 16^th June, at 7:45pm at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium (Senegal).

Africa Cup of Nations group stage (Group B):

• Nigeria vs Burundi: Saturday 22^nd June, 7pm at the Alexandria Stadium (Egypt).
• Nigeria vs Guinea: Wednesday 26^th June, 4:30pm at the Alexandria Stadium (Egypt).
• Madagascar vs Nigeria: Sunday 30^th June, 6pm at the Alexandria Stadium (Egypt).

Karl Toko Ekambi (Cameroon) *in the preparatory squad of 34 players for the Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations preparatory matches:

• Cameroon vs Zambia (2-1).
• Cameroon vs AD Alcorcón: Monday 10^th June, 7:30pm at the Estadio Cerro del Espino (Madrid).
• Cameroon vs Mali: Friday 14^th June (in Qatar. Stadium and time, TBC).

Africa Cup of Nations group stage (Group  F):

• Cameroon vs Guinea-Bissau: Tuesday 25^th June, 7pm at the Ismailia Stadium (Egypt).
• Cameroon vs Ghana: Saturday 29^th June, 7pm at the Ismailia Stadium (Egypt).
• Benin vs Cameroon: Tuesday 2^nd July, 6pm at the Ismailia Stadium (Egypt).

Photo: Carmelo Rubio (RFEF).