March Internationals: Guessand & Sarr score, Riad returns, Lacroix debuts

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There are some 16 senior Crystal Palace players – the third-highest total of any club in Europe's top five leagues – in international action this month. Find out how they're getting on below...

Saturday, 26th March

Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal v Peru)

Ismaïla Sarr's spectacular individual season continued with his 18th goal in 41 appearances for club and country combined, helping Senegal to a 2-0 friendly win over Peru on Saturday afternoon.

In the first international window since the Africa Cup of Nations, Sarr and Senegal showed just why many are tipping them as a team to watch at this summer's FIFA World Cup finals with two excellent goals at the Stade de France in Paris.

The first of those came via Nicolas Jackson, who placed home the first just before half-time following a storming run from Ibrahima Mbaye.

Shortly after half-time, Sarr then doubled their lead with a wonderfully composed finish at the end of a lengthy passing move, which ended with a through-ball that the Palace forward carried past two defenders and stroked home with aplomb. He ended up playing 80 minutes.

Next up for Sarr – who now has 19 goals in 81 caps – and Senegal: a friendly with Gambia (Tuesday, 31st March, 20:00 BST) in Dakar.

Senegal have already qualified for the World Cup finals this summer and will face France, Norway plus an additional qualifier in Group I.

Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast v South Korea)

In his first international appearance since joining Palace, Evann Guessand was back in the Ivory Coast starting XI for the first of two friendly matches on English soil.

The first, against South Korea in Milton Keynes at Stadium MK on Saturday afternoon, saw the Asian side hit the post early on, before the Palace man opened the scoring after 35 minutes.

Guessand made a clever run and produced a cute finish beyond South Korea 'keeper Jo Hyeon-woo, rolling home the opener from the edge of the six-yard box.

Despite South Korea hitting the woodwork again before the half-time whistle, Les Elephants doubled their advantage in first-half added time through Simon Adingra, before taking control in the second period through further goals from Martial Godo and Wilfried Singo.

Next, Guessand – who played the full 90 minutes on Saturday – and Ivory Coast head over to Liverpool and the Hill Dickinson Stadium to take on World Cup-bound Scotland on Tuesday (20:30 BST).

Daichi Kamada (Scotland v Japan)

Japan are taking on both Scotland and England in UK-based friendlies over the window, with midfielder Daichi Kamada in their squad.

The four-time Asian Cup winners first travelled to Hampden Park on Saturday evening, with Kamada beginning the game on the bench.

After both teams missed several presentable chances, and struck the woodwork, Kamada came on after 78 minutes – and, on 84 minutes, saw his team take the lead through Junya Ito's low finish at the end of a flowing move.

Kamada will hope to be more involved when he travels to Wembley this coming Tuesday (19:45 BST), returning to the scene of Palace’s FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs.

Chris Richards (United States v Belgium)

With only a few months left until they co-host the biggest international tournament on the planet, Mauricio Pochettino’s USA ramp up preparations with a pair of friendlies against top opposition.

Palace's Chris Richards, part of the 27-man squad, missed Saturday's 2-5 defeat to Belgium in Atlanta through injury, but will hope to be back for the next match against former European champions Portugal on Tuesday evening (Wednesday 00:00 BST kick-off) in the same city.

Following this double header USA will only have two more fixtures before beginning their World Cup campaign against Paraguay.

Adam Wharton & Dean Henderson

It was confirmed by the FA on Saturday evening that Adam Wharton had returned to Palace from England duty with a knock picked up in the second-half of Friday's 1-1 draw with Uruguay.

Dean Henderson, however, named in the initial 35-man squad, linked up with his teammates on Friday ahead of the friendly match against Japan at Wembley on Tuesday 31st March (19:45 BST).

Friday, 26th March

Adam Wharton (England v Uruguay)

With Thomas Tuchel naming a 35-man squad for this pre-World Cup international break, Adam Wharton came off the bench at half-time against Uruguay on Friday night to win his fifth cap for his country.

The 22-year-old put in a typically composed display at the heart of midfield, where he partnered Everton's James Garner and Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo.

In a tenacious contest light on chances, England thought they were on course for victory when Ben White stabbed home from a corner in the 81st minute – Wharton involved in the set-piece move which led to the finish – only for Uruguay to win and convert a penalty deep into injury time to level the scores.

Chadi Riad (Morocco v Ecuador)

Chadi Riad's inspiring return to action took another step forwards with the defender's first international appearance for Morocco since 6th November 2024.

The 22-year-old, having returned for Palace from long-term injury – and surgery – in January, was in from the start for the Atlas Lions - under new management in Mohamed Ouahbi - in a keenly-contested friendly in Madrid.

And the Palace centre-back duly played the full 90 minutes as Morocco bounced back from going behind in the 48th minute to John Yeboah's effort by snatching a draw with an 88th-minute set-piece equaliser by Neil El Aynaoui.

Morocco had earlier won a penalty through El Aynaoui, which had been missed – with VAR subsequently ruling out the rebound for encroachment.

The newly-crowned AFCON champions next face Paraguay in Lens this coming Tuesday (20:00 BST).

Jørgen Strand Larsen (Netherlands v Norway)

On Friday evening, Jørgen Strand Larsen made his first appearance for Norway since becoming Palace's club-record signing in January.

The forward won his landmark 25th cap against the Netherlands in Amsterdam, starting for a Landslaget side who qualified for the World Cup finals in style.

On Friday, he played the full 90 minutes, initially partnering a former Eagle in Alexander Sorloth up front – but despite Norway taking a first-half lead through Andreas Schjelderup, the hosts turned things around through goals from Virgil van Dijk and Tijani Reijnders either side of half-time.

Strand Larsen will therefore be looking to add to his four goals on Tuesday evening (17:00 BST) when Norway host Switzerland on Tuesday.

Yéremy Pino (Spain v Serbia)

Yéremy Pino, included in a 27-man squad for Spain’s fixtures this window, featured as a last substitute as the reigning European Champions hosted Serbia on Friday night in Villarreal.

Spain were originally set to face South American Champions Argentina in the Finalissima during this window, only for the game in Qatar to be cancelled due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

And Pino's side were already three goals to the good by the time he joined the action in the 77th minute, with no further goals after that marker.

The Palace forward scored his fourth goal for Spain back in the October window during a 2-0 win over Georgia, his first international strike since joining the Eagles.

Egypt are their next opponents the following Tuesday (20:00 GMT) in Cornellà de Llobregat.

Romain Esse (Andorra U21s v England U21s)

For England Under-21s, meanwhile, Romain Esse – currently on loan at Coventry City in the Championship – was recalled to Lee Carsley's 23-man squad for two UEFA U21 EURO qualifiers.

Having gone into the game with five wins from five in their qualifying group stage so far, the Young Lions were given an almighty scare after Gerard Sola Garcia put the hosts ahead early in the second-half.

Esse came off the bench on 71 minutes as England sought out an equaliser – and they got it in the 90th minute from the penalty spot, as Rico Lewis converted when Jobe Bellingham was felled.

England remain top of Group D with 16 points, ahead of hosting Moldova next Tuesday (31st, 19:00 GMT) at Carrow Road.

Thursday, 26th March

Maxence Lacroix (Brazil v France)

Called up for the first time by France at senior level – having previously played for his country as a youth international, most recently in October 2019 at Under-20s level – Lacroix's timely inclusion saw him thrown straight into the action by Didier Deschamps.

The Palace vice-captain began Thursday night's pre-World Cup friendly at the Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts – which pitted France, ranked third in the world by FIFA against Brazil, ranked fifth – on the bench.

But after France took a first-half lead through Kylian Mbappé, defender Dayot Upamecano saw red shortly after half-time – prompting Lacroix to emerge on 58 minutes for his senior international debut.

With Lacroix playing as the left centre-back in a back four, he saw his country – seven minutes later – go two goals to the good, as former Palace winger Michael Olise teed up Hugo Ekitike to double the lead.

Brazil did reduce the deficit on 78 minutes when Gleison Bremer found himself in the right place at the right time to turn home from close range.

But a victory over Brazil, to mark the 25-year-old's senior international debut, made it quite the night for Lacroix.

Justin Devenny (Italy v Northern Ireland)

In the European play-offs for World Cup qualification, Justin Devenny and Northern Ireland's dreams were dashed in Italy on Thursday night.

The Palace midfielder earned his 11th cap, and ninth start in the Green and White Army's last 10 matches, as Northern Ireland looked to take a step closer to their first World Cup finals since 1986.

With Devenny playing the full 90 minutes in midfield, Northern Ireland sadly found themselves outclassed on the night in Bergamo, showing plenty of defensive resolve but failing to muster a shot on target against their Italian hosts.

In the end, clinical second-half finishes from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean settled the tie, ending Devenny's World Cup dreams this year.

The 22-year-old Palace man has nevertheless been a key part in a youthful Northern Ireland squad which, over the cause of this qualification campaign, has given plenty of cause to be optimistic for the future.

Brennan Johnson (Wales v Bosnia & Herzegovina)

Drawn in the same European play-off section, Wales and Brennan Johnson hosted Bosnia & Herzegovina in Cardiff in the other semi-final on Thursday evening.

Johnson, who had already represented Cymru at the 2022 finals, started on the right hand side of the Wales attack, and saw his team take the lead in spectacular fashion not long after half-time through Daniel James' rising rocket from distance.

But with less than five minutes to go, and Bosnia's attacking influence growing, Edin Dzeko became the oldest European goalscorer in World Cup qualification with a glancing header to take the tie into extra-time.

A physical contest saw few chances in the additional 30 minutes – although Johnson did come close late on with a header back across goal in the closing seconds – meaning the match went to spot-kicks.

There, despite Bosnia's first kick being saved, Johnson and Neco Williams sadly both missed from the spot, with Wales' World Cup dreams dashed in the cruellest of fashions.

As a result, Johnson and Wales will host Devenny and Northern Ireland for a friendly on Tuesday evening at Cardiff City Stadium.

Daniel Muñoz & Jefferson Lerma (Colombia v Croatia)

Eagles duo Daniel Muñoz and Jefferson Lerma are once again both included in the Colombia squad for two friendlies in the USA as they prepare for the World Cup finals.

Their first encounter saw them tackle fellow qualifiers Croatia at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday evening – the first-ever meeting between the two nations.

The Palace duo both started for Muñoz and Lerma's 43rd and 63rd caps respectively.

Los Cafeteros almost immediately went a goal to the good, as well, with Jhon Arias striking within two minutes – but Croatia levelled just three minutes later when Luka Vuskovic let fly from range.

And on the stroke of half-time, Igor Matanovic took advantage of some slack defending from a corner to head home the eventual winner, with Colombia unable to respond in the second-half; Muñoz and Lerma played 71 and 63 minutes respectively.

Next up: a match against France this Sunday (21:00 BST).

Jaydee Canvot (Luxembourg U21s v France U21s)

And finally on Thursday, Jaydee Canvot made his fifth appearance for France Under-21s – again playing the full 90 minutes at right-back – in yet another dominant win, this time triumphing 5-1 away in Luxembourg.

The 19-year-old has now won four of his five matches with France U21s, with his team two points clear at the top at the halfway mark of Group C in Under-21 European Championship qualifying.

Next up, they host second-placed Iceland on Monday evening.

You can keep up to date with all the international call-ups and the action throughout the break on cpfc.co.uk, social media and the Official Crystal Palace App.

Fixture Round-up

All times in UK time.

England – Wharton & Henderson

Fri, 27th Mar: England 1-1 Uruguay (With Henderson not yet with the squad, Wharton played the second-half, with only an injury-time equaliser denying the Three Lions a friendly victory at Wembley)
Sat, 28th Mar: Wharton withdrew from the squad with a minor knock picked up against Uruguay; Henderson linked up with the squad ahead of England's next match, the FA confirmed)

England v Japan

Tuesday, 31st March
19:45 BST
Wembley Stadium
Friendly

Wales – Johnson

Thu, 26th Mar: Wales 1-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina (2-4 pens a.e.t.) (Johnson played the full 120 minutes in Cardiff, but saw his team's World Cup hopes ended in cruel fashion on penalty kicks).

Wales v Northern Ireland

Tuesday, 31st March
19:45 BST
Cardiff City Stadium
Friendly

Northern Ireland – Devenny

Thu, 26th Mar: Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland (Devenny earned his 11th senior cap and played the full 90 minutes again, but his World Cup dreams were dashed by a dominant Italy team in Bergamo)

Wales v Northern Ireland

Tuesday, 31st March
19:45 BST
Cardiff City Stadium
Friendly

Colombia – Lerma & Muñoz

Thu, 26th Mar: Colombia 1-2 Croatia (Muñoz and Lerma played 73 and 61 minutes respectively in a narrow friendly defeat in Orlando)

Colombia v France

Sunday, 29th March
21:00 BST
Northwest Stadium
Friendly

France – Lacroix

Thu, 26th Mar: Brazil 1-2 France (Lacroix came on in the 58th minute to make his senior international debut, seeing his team through to victory)

Colombia v France

Sunday, 29th March
21:00 BST
Northwest Stadium
Friendly

Ivory Coast – Guessand

Sat, 28th Mar: Ivory Coast 4-0 South Korea (Guessand opened the scoring in a dominant friendly win at Stadium MK, completing the full 90 minutes)

Scotland v Ivory Coast

Tuesday, 31st March
19:45 BST
Hill Dickinson Stadium
Friendly

Japan – Kamada

Sat, 28th Mar: Scotland 0-1 Japan (Kamada came on after 78 minutes and helped his team clinch a friendly victory with a late winner at Hampden Park)

England v Japan

Tuesday, 31st March
19:45 BST
Wembley
Friendly

Morocco – Riad

Fri, 27th Mar: Morocco 1-1 Ecuador (Riad made his first international appearance since November 2024, starting and playing the full 90 minutes as his country snatched a late equaliser in a friendly draw with Ecuador in Madrid)

Morocco v Paraguay

Tuesday, 31st March
20:00 BST
Stade Bollaert-Delelis
Friendly

Norway – Strand Larsen

Fri, 27th Mar: Netherlands 2-1 Norway (Strand Larsen won his landmark 25th senior cap and played the full 90 minutes as his team were beaten by a Netherlands comeback)

Norway v Switzerland

Tuesday, 31st March
17:00 BST
Ullevaal Stadion
Friendly

Senegal – Sarr

Sat, 28th Mar: Senegal 2-0 Peru (Sarr got his team's crucial second shortly after half-time with a composed finish in a friendly played in Paris, before departing the pitch on 80 minutes)

Senegal v Gambia

Tuesday, 31st March
20:00 BST
Diamniadio Olympic Stadium
Friendly

Spain – Pino

Fri, 27th Mar: Spain 3-0 Serbia (Pino played the final 13 minutes off the bench as his team ran out comfortable winners)

Spain v Egypt

Tuesday, 31st March
20:00 BST
RCDE Stadium
Friendly

USA – Richards

Sat, 28th Mar: USA 2-5 Belgium (Richards was absent through injury, but hopes to return for the USA's next match)

USA v Portugal

Wednesday, 1st April
00:00 BST
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Friendly

England Under-21s – Esse

Fri, 27th Mar: Andorra U21 1-1 England U21 (Esse came off the bench for the final 20 minutes and helped the Young Lions secure a late equaliser to remain unbeaten in European Championship qualifying)

England U21 v Moldova U21

Tuesday, 31st March
19:00 BST
U21 European Championship qualifier

France Under-21s – Canvot

Thu, 26th Mar: Luxembourg U21 1-5 France U21 (Canvot played the full 90 minutes at right-back, helping his team to another crushing win in U21 European Championship qualification)

France U21 v Iceland U21

Monday, 30th March
18:00 GMT
U21 European Championship qualifier

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