Rangers star plays part in seven-goal thriller as World Cup warm-up cements position as international mainstay
The Belgium international midfielder started in their demolition of host nation USA.
Rangers star Nico Raskin kept his place in the Belgium starting XI as they defeated World Cup host nation USA 5-2 in Atlanta on Saturday evening.
The 25-year old hasn’t quite hit his normal heights at Ibrox this season but has still been a regular feature for Danny Rohl’s side. And it appears Belgium boss Rudi Garcia has the same faith in the box-to-box central midfielder, who has now started the last five games in a row for the Red Devils.
Raskin didn’t look out of place at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in a star-studded line up, which included the likes of Napoli midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne and Manchester City winger, Jeremy Doku. His side will now travel to Mexico to face another host nation, as they continue their World Cup preparations. Belgium will face Egypt, Iran and New Zealand in the group stage.
Raskin starts in seven-goal thriller
Despite what the score line may suggest, it was a forgettable start to proceedings in Atlanta until America’s Weston McKennie opened the scoring in the 39th minute. What followed was five unanswered Belgium goals as they dismantled Mauricio Pochettino’s side in their own backyard.
Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana, Charles De Ketelaere and a late Dodi Lukebakio brace helped the visitors storm to victory, before USA substitute, Patrick Agyemang grabbed a late consolation goal. Raskin played in a similar role which he’s used to at Ibrox - starting attacks and breaking up counters. The Rangers man was substituted for Axel Witsel in the 70th minute after the game was already out of sight for the hosts.
Garcia’s team selection is a good omen for Raskin as he targets a World Cup place in the summer. The midfielder was an integral part of Belgium’s qualification campaign and is slowly but surely making his name as a fan favourite for his national team. In September’s 6-0 hammering of Kazakhstan, Raskin went off to a standing ovation from the home support after his man of the match display.
How have other Rangers stars fared in the International break so far?
Djeidi Gassama made his Mauritania debut against Lionel Messi’s Argentina at La Bombanera in a match where the visitors didn’t disgrace themselves. The Rangers winger featured for an hour in their 2-1 defeat to the current World Cup holders, less than a week after changing international allegiance from France.
It was World Cup playoff heartache for Nedim Bajrami, who continues to be a regular for Albania despite struggling for game time in Govan. He started in a more central role for The Eagles in their 2-1 play off defeat to Poland.
Oliver Antman started for Finland in their 2-0 friendly win over New Zealand, in what was their first away victory in over a year. Derek Cornelius is yet to feature for the Light Blues since returning from his lengthy injury lay-off but was brought on as a substitute for Canada in their 2-2 stalemate with Iceland.
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