Seville’s international break carried Betis colours across three continents, with Abde and Junior Firpo both starting in victories for Morocco and the Dominican Republic while other members of the squad met more difficult nights on national-team duty.
Key takeaways
- Abde started on Morocco’s right flank in a 2-0 win over Gabon and was withdrawn in the 76th minute.
- Junior Firpo played as an attacking midfielder for the Dominican Republic during their 3-2 victory against Nicaragua.
- Uruguay recalled Facundo Bernal to the senior side after more than two years, and he played the second half of a 3-1 loss to Japan.
- Troy Parrott began Ireland’s away match in Kosovo, where a Muriqi goal settled a 1-0 defeat.
- Spain Under-21 lost in Finland for the first time in their qualifying campaign for the 2027 European Championship; Ángel Ortiz remained unused.
Abde returns for Morocco as Firpo takes on a new role
Abde was back in Morocco’s starting XI following the discussion in his home country over the shirt supporting Ceuta that he wore during Betis’ match against Villarreal. The winger was selected on the right against Gabon and offered an encouraging display before leaving the field with 14 minutes remaining.
He did not directly contribute to either goal, but Morocco completed a comfortable 2-0 result.
Firpo also began for the Dominican Republic, though in a markedly different position from the left-back role he usually fills in Seville. Used behind the centre-forward as an attacking midfielder, he completed 78 minutes of the 3-2 win over Nicaragua.
Mixed results elsewhere for Betis internationals
Earlier in the international window, Bernal made his return to Uruguay’s senior squad more than two years after his previous involvement. He was introduced for the second half against Japan, but Uruguay were beaten 3-1.
Parrott started for the Republic of Ireland in Kosovo. The Betis forward struggled to find room against the home defence and was replaced late on, with Kosovo taking the points through Muriqi’s goal in a 1-0 victory.
At Under-21 level, Ortiz did not get off the bench as Spain were defeated in Finland. It was Spain’s first setback in their route towards the 2027 European Under-21 Championship. Two former Betis players did feature: Jesús Rodríguez, now with Como, and Pablo García of Racing.
