Four Sunderland players featured on the World Cup stage, with mixed fortunes for the Black Cats quartet

Four Sunderland players were involved on the World Cup stage over the weekend, with Granit Xhaka, Wilson Isidor, Chemsdine Talbi and Omar Alderete all featuring for their countries.

Xhaka captained Switzerland in their Group B opener against Qatar, but his side were denied victory deep into stoppage time after appearing on course for a winning start. Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty had given Switzerland the advantage, only for Boualem Khoukhi to head in a dramatic late equaliser after Murat Yakin’s side had failed to make the most of their chances to kill the game off.

For Xhaka, it was still a significant personal landmark. The Sunderland midfielder won his 147th senior cap and, alongside Ricardo Rodriguez, set a new Swiss record by making his 13th appearance at a major international tournament. Switzerland will now look to respond when they face Bosnia and Herzegovina in their second group-stage fixture.

Chemsdine Talbi also made his mark on Saturday evening, coming off the bench to make his World Cup debut as Morocco opened their Group C campaign with a highly creditable 1-1 draw against Brazil at MetLife Stadium. Morocco had moved ahead through Ismael Saibari before Brazil levelled before half-time, with Vinicius Jr producing the decisive moment of quality for the five-time world champions.

Talbi was introduced during the second half as Morocco protected an impressive point in New Jersey, giving the Sunderland winger his first taste of football at the tournament. Wilson Isidor, meanwhile, started for Haiti as their first World Cup appearance in 52 years ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Scotland at Boston Stadium in Massachusetts.

The Sunderland forward played 76 minutes in a tight Group C contest, with John McGinn’s deflected effort after 28 minutes proving enough to settle the game. Haiti pushed hard for a route back into the match late on and almost found one five minutes from time, but Frantzdy Pierrot’s header drifted wide of the far post. Isidor and Haiti now face a major test against Brazil next Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 1.30am BST.

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Omar Alderete was also in action in the early hours of Saturday morning, playing the full match as Paraguay suffered a 4-1 defeat to co-hosts the United States in Los Angeles. Paraguay endured a difficult start when Damian Bobadilla put through his own net, before Folarin Balogun struck twice either side of half-time to put the USA in full control.

Mauricio pulled one back after the interval, but Sunderland-born Gio Reyna’s late finish sealed a convincing win for the hosts. Alderete and Paraguay will aim to bounce back when they take on Turkey in their next Group D fixture as the World Cup continues this summer.

Sunderland are set for a seven-figure revenue boost this summer as a number of their players prepare to depart for the World Cup. The Black Cats have already banked revenue from the recent World Cup qualifiers, after FIFA expanded the Club Benefit programme that sees clubs paid out for the time their players spend with their international squads.

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